1. Test Cleaning Products

When using cleaning products designed for upholstery fabrics, check the packaging to make sure that it is appropriate for the particular type of fabric you want to clean. There are certain cleaners for certain fabrics and if you get the wrong type you could damage your furniture.
2. Read The Instructions!

Before using any cleaning product on textile fabrics, even when following directions on the packaging, test a small amount of it on a part of fabric that is not visible, such as the underside of a sofa’s skirt. Don’t test it on the back as you may want to move the furniture one day and could reveal any damage on the test spot.
3. Use Spray-On Products Where Possible

It is a good idea to use fabric protecting products on your textile furnishings, widely available in spray-on formulas. They will not stop your furniture from getting dirty or stained but do provide a useful added layer of protection.
4. Baking Powder

An easy and inexpensive way to freshen textile furnishings without risk of damage is to sprinkle the surfaces with baking powder. Let the powder sit for several minutes, then vacuum the furniture. The baking powder will absorb smells and leave your furniture refreshed.
5. Baby Wipes

For spot cleaning on leather and fabric upholstery, try using a baby wipe. They contain very gentle soap that can remove minor stains.
6. Clean White Cloths

When cleaning textile furnishings of any kind, only use clean white cloths. Even well-used rags are not always colorfast, and cleaning chemicals can bleed dye out of cloths and onto furniture.
7. Lint Brush

To prevent the need for big cleaning jobs, regularly clean your textile furnishings with a lint brush and vacuum cleaner. Rotate and flip cushions regularly so they all get even wear and fading. Covering furniture with a throw can extend cleanliness and the life of your furnishings.
8. Cold Water & White Vinegar

To freshen textile furnishings without harsh chemicals, mix cold water with a little white vinegar in a spray bottle, and spritz surfaces with it. The smell of the vinegar will quickly dissipate, leaving your furniture smelling clean and fresh.
9. Ventilation

During and after cleaning your textile furnishings, open all the windows in the room and turn on fans. This is healthier for you when you clean with chemicals as the room is well ventilated, and it helps the upholstery dry faster while blowing musty smells away.
10. Washing Instructions

When washing removable textile covers, always look for a label instructing you how they should be washed and follow those instructions. Also, if you wash one cover, wash them all so that all the fabric fades evenly.

Choosing the best curtain material for window coverings can make an interior space feel coordinated and cohesive. If the curtains or draperies hang properly and match the design scheme, the effect will be a pleasant look that blends with the rest of the room. There are hundreds of fabric choices for creating curtains and the varieties of textures, colors and prices are enormous. Both natural and manmade materials can be fashioned into beautiful curtains but before deciding on a particular material, there are several things to consider: function, style and cost.

Function

The first consideration is to determine the curtain’s function, will they be used for privacy and blocking light, or are they merely used to soften the lines of the window. Heavy fabrics such as tapestries, faux leathers and micro-fiber suede and jacquards may be opaque where lighter cottons, linens and sheer organza are not. Darker colored fabrics also serve the purpose of darkening a room and provide privacy.

Next evaluate the window size and shape and the style of the room. Dressy fabrics such as velvets, taffetas and tapestries are heavy and formal. Soft fabrics such as silks, cotton blends, linens and faux leathers or suede will work in a semi-formal to casual environment. Consider whether a floor length drape or shorter curtain is desired.

Style

Evaluate the overall design effect. Is the window in a prominent place in the room and are the curtains intended to make a statement? An expensive silk or jacquard or a fun faux animal print will draw the eye to the draperies. Cotton blends and upholstery fabrics can be used to match or coordinate with furniture.

If a valance is used, choose a fabric that suits the style. Polyester silk, chenille and light cottons adapt well to swag styles while heavier cottons or canvas can be used for gathered valances. Also consider any trim, beading or tassels when choosing the material. Self tie backs can be made from the same fabric or embellished with contrasting materials. Curtain rods and pull back hardware may make a difference on the texture, weight and stretchiness of the fabric.

Cost

The most expensive materials include rich fabrics like taffeta, jacquard, mohair and pure silks. Mid-range prices include velvet, faux leather and fur, linens and micro fiber suede. Polyester silk blends, and cotton blends are the least expensive. The fabric nap, weave and pattern details can make a difference in the cost.

Finding just the right fabric that works for the room at an affordable price is essential. Order your curtain fabrics from The Natural Curtain Company today.

Household Cleaning:How To Spruce Up Your Curtains

Buying curtains made with high quality fabrics gives any interior the elegant look you demand. So caring for these curtains must be done with their specific requirements in mind, or your curtains will be irreparably ruined, and thus no longer suitable for your living space.

The first question is, what material are the curtains made of? While the first rule of thumb is to follow the cleaning instructions provided, there may be additional issues. For instance, while cotton can be machine washed, it can still require frequent ironing. However, if you had your curtains treated with a wrinkle resistant finish, they will not only require less ironing, but will be much more resilient overall. If your curtains are made from linen, they might be machine washable, but if the company that made them recommends dry cleaning instead, you would be better advised to have them cleaned that way.

Wool curtains can be washed, but should still be dry cleaned once a season. If soiled, they need to be washed immediately, but can still be hung dry at room temperature, which will also bring out the wrinkles. Your professional curtain cleaners will know this. They will also know that, when ironing wool curtains, not to iron them totally dry. Additionally, they will be aware that it is better to iron on the back of the material, or to use a “press cloth” if they must iron on the right side. Otherwise, the fabric will get a distasteful shine. While ironing, they will place brown paper or even tissue under the folds to prevent imprinting any inside detail.

It would seem obvious that such care should be taken of your curtains; however, you may want to speak with your professional curtain cleaners to see how they will actually do the cleaning, just to be sure. For instance, curtains are often not preshrunk. So if the company is reputable, they will ask you whether your curtains have been preshrunk, if they are to be washed, or if this is their first washing.

Using a professional curtain cleaning company will ensure that your curtains get the best treatment possible when they are cleaned. However, if you choose to clean them yourself, keep in mind that, in addition to usually not being preshrunk, they are often not color-guarded. They may also lose their shape, which means no more pleats. Additionally, water can damage some fabrics, like silk, or change their texture, thus ruining the way they hang.

Professional curtain cleaners can either take down the curtains and clean them at their facility, or clean them on-site. First they pre-vacuum dry dirt off. If cleaned on-site, they then either use drycleaning solvents, which are flammable and should not be inhaled, or steam clean the curtains, which is safer, but not an option for water-sensitive fabrics. Thus, it may be better to have them taken to the curtain cleaner’s facility. Taking them to your dry cleaners may be fine if you trust them, but solvents used on clothes are never guaranteed on curtains.

As with other home furnishings, curtains gather dust and dirt, even if not immediately visible. They also collect odors, and oil-based soils released into the air when cooking. Therefore, regular cleaning is advisable once a season, or at least once a year. Not only will this maintain their beauty, it will maintain a healthier interior environment, as well.

Thus, properly cleaning your fine curtains, with the specific needs of the fabric in mind, will ensure you can continue to proudly display them in your interior environment for years to come.

After a long, dark, cold winter you may be excited for the upcoming spring… a time of warmer climate and sunnier atmosphere. Why should your home be any different?

Spring cleaning can actually begin as early as January or February, and it is an easier task if you spread your spring cleaning out over a period of months… tackling one step at a time on a weekly basis.

The most burdensome task should be attempted first, and that’s out with the old, in with the new .

Cleaning out clutter that has collected (not only throughout winter but over the years as well) is the most rewarding type of cleaning there is. Don’t be hung up as you dig through old boxes. Finding a shell from your trip to the Bahamas several years ago may put a smile on your face… but do you really need to hold on to these tokens?

Anything broken or unusable, regardless of their emotional value, should be discarded of. Why hold on to things that merely collect dust in a closet or back room? The cleaner your home, the warmer the atmosphere. And if you would ever like to bring anything new into your home… you must say out with the old and in with the new!

Since this can be an emotionally tolling process, it is okay to spread it out over the process of a month or more. But getting rid of dust collectors is not the only thing needed to spring clean… it’s just a start.

Rolling up your sleeves and cleaning is another essential portion of spring cleaning your home. The concept of spring cleaning has many levels to it, and cleaning is very important. Scrub away at any blemishes, dust everything that needs to be dusted, and if applicable get rid of those dead flies that have collected in any ceiling lights.

Remember that a clean home is a warming, welcoming home. While keeping it that clean is rather difficult, annual spring cleaning is the time to tackle these burdensome tasks.

Finally, converting your home into a warm, welcoming home is the icing on the cake. This part of spring cleaning is the most pleasurable and you can have a lot of fun with it.

Repainting your walls, redecorating rooms, moving around furniture… it’s all about change and after a long, dull winter it can be a very inspiring action.

One of the less obvious changes one can make while changing their home for the spring is to replace your curtains. While having dark curtains are almost necessary for the winter to keep in heat (and for privacy) the spring is a time for new beginnings, brighter skies, and lighter curtains.

For larger windows with a nice view, a sheer white curtain is perfect in the spring time and all throughout summer as well. Just as darker curtains help keep your home warm throughout the winter, a sheer curtain will keep your home warm through warmer, sunnier seasons. Also, with the bright light of the sun shining through you will decrease your electric bill immensely.

If white does not sound appealing, there are other shades of sheer curtains available… even in darker colors… that will achieve the same cost effective results and complement your decor. As a general rule of thumb though, lighter colors create a more inviting home throughout spring and summer.

Other things to change for the spring include carpets, decorative knick knacks and candles, and bedding. Once you have cleaned out old junk, scrubbed away old stains and washed off any collected dust, the decorative part of spring cleaning is nothing but fun!