[terrymaloy]

Hi
Can anyone recommend a decent hand held steam cleaner for cleaning curtains ?
This is not something I normally do so any tips would also be appreciated.

The curtains are in a care home (dining room and living room) and she wants them cleaned on site so taking them away is not an option.
I hav'nt seen them yet but she reckons they are cotton.

I have to give a quote on Tuesday, not just for the curtains but also for the carpets and chairs/upholstery.

ps...when I told her I only really specialise in cleaning carpets and upholstery she sounded quite abrupt and said if I cant do all 3 dont bother coming !

Thanks in advance
TM

[John Kelly]

You don't need a steamer to clean curtains.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I don't use one on curtains, it's hard to give instructions on curtain cleaning as there really is a multitude of fabrics ideally you would have a try and have a go on your own curtains first.

Shaun

[mark_roberts]

So how would you clean them John?

Thanks
Mark

[John Kelly]

Curtains don't get walked on so any surface dirt is usually airborne dust. Most of this can be removed by thorough vacuuming. They can then be either towel cleaned by spraying either an encapsulator, microsplitter or colloidal detergent onto the curtain then towel off with either terry towel or sponge.
A plasterer's hawk (plastic) is a usefull accessory as you can hold it behind the fabric to give you something to push against.
It is important to really check them before you start as often the fabric is severely degraded due to either sunlight or air currents moving continously through the fibres. You also often get water marks if they are lying on the window sill.                                        Of cause you can also extraction clean them after testing for shrinkage but what a ball ache that is, however a proper curtain tool does make it a lot easier.

[JandS]

Presume you vac inside and out of curtain but just actually clean outside.
Linings can be washed I presume.

[John Kelly]

Should have added dry cleaning fluid as well.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

If you pre vac you can see if there is anything that flags up first, don't clean the linings that's an impossible talk, recommend a solution that's neutral ph.

Shaun

[homenclean]

brush
vac
Mist with Craftex dry fabric solvent
two terry towels hold one at back and one at front draw down the curtains to remove solvent.
work along fringes and bottom of curtain.

Lifts the colour and leaves them smellimg nice.

John