Cleaning drapes and curtains might appear simple, but many problems may occur during the normal cleaning process. It is important to know and understand the serviceability issues associated with them.
This is probably the most common concern with cleaning drapes/curtains. The main cause of shrinkage can be attributed to the lack for pre-shrinkage in the materials used to make the drapes/curtains. Pre-shrunk refers to a process applied to fabric or yarn before it is sewn into a finished product to reduce the risk of shrinkage during cleaning. This treatment stabilizes the dimensions of yarn or fabric through the application of a resin or heat and moisture.
Draperies, particularly custom-made ones are usually made from "yard goods" or bulk fabric. Since manufacturers of the fabric are not required by law to pre-shrink them there is no guarantee that the drapery with retain its shape after cleaning.
Additional causes of shrinkage include the natural stretching of draperies over time due to their own weight, especially when hanging for extended periods. Once cleaned, these draperies may revert to their original dimensions, which are often shorter than their pre-cleaned, stretched length. This is known as relaxation shrinkage.
Draperies, by design, are exposed to ultraviolet light by either direct or indirect sunlight as well as humidity combined with air pollutants from heating and air conditioning systems that have a degenerating effect of the fabric and dyes. These elements contribute to both the discoloration and chemical degeneration of the fabric.
Identifying this type of damage prior to cleaning is often difficult since the discoloration is usually hidden by the accumulation of dust and (or) soil and can't be detected. The discoloration caused by sunlight is almost always manifested in lengthwise streaks that follow the contours of the folds in the drapes.
The mix of sunlight and humidity can lead to chemical degradation of the fabric which usually appears in vertical lines. Some dark colors and prints absorb light more readily and are more prone to light damage.
The only way to prevent this type of damage is using blackout linings, outer shades/blinds, or other methods to prevent exposure.
Some manufacturers apply a synthetic coating such as latex, vinyl, polyurethane, and acrylic to fabrics or linings in order to add insulating qualities, resistance to moisture, as well as filter our sunlight (black out drapes).
The durability of the coating depends on its type, application method, and quality control of the coating process. Some vinyl coatings cannot be dry cleaned because the the plasticizer used to give the coating suppleness will dissolve, leaving it stiff and boardy. Polyurethane and rubberized coatings are usually bonded to the fabric using an adhesive. Depending on the quality of the adhesive and quality control of its application, the coating may peel or separate from the fabric when it comes in contact with a dry cleaning solvent.
Some dyes and printed designs may partially dissolve when cleaned and may sustain varying degrees of fading. While it may not seem noticeable when a complete set is cleaned together, if identical draperies are cleaned separately, there may be a difference in color when compared to a matching set. This is a good reason why you should always clean matching sets together at the same time.
