Duvets and curtains are among the largest things in a home, and among the least often cleaned. Here is an honest guide to doing it yourself, and when it makes sense to bring them in.
Duvets
Start with the care label. Many synthetic duvets are machine washable, and a single or double often fits a large domestic drum. The trouble starts with bigger sizes and natural fillings.
- Drum size. A duvet needs room to move. Crammed into a small drum it will not rinse properly, and the machine can be strained by the weight of a wet duvet.
- Drying. Feather and down must be dried completely, right through to the centre. Filling that stays damp can clump and develop a musty smell or mildew.
- Clumping. Even when dry, feathers can bunch at one end. Professional drying keeps the filling moving so it stays even.
As a rule, most people are happy washing a synthetic single at home, and bring feather, down and king-size duvets to us.
Curtains
Curtains look simple, but they are often a mix of fabrics. A cotton face with a different lining can shrink at different rates, leaving a puckered edge. Many curtains are also faded on the side that faces the window, and washing can make that more obvious.
- Check the label. If it says dry clean only, it usually means it.
- Measure the drop and width before cleaning, so any change can be spotted.
- Remove all hooks, weights and fixings before bringing them in.
- Vacuum curtains gently on low suction every few months to keep dust down between cleans.
How often should they be cleaned?
Most households have duvets cleaned once or twice a year, often at the change of season. Curtains usually need cleaning every one to two years, or sooner in a kitchen or a smoker's home.
Too big for your machine?
We clean duvets, pillows, throws and curtains of every size. WhatsApp us a photo for a price, or call us on 01423 508568.