Curtain dry cleaning is a specialized method that uses solvents to remove dirt, stains, and other contaminants from curtains without water. When you visit a dry cleaning shop to clean your curtains, the process typically involves the following steps:

1. Inspection: The dry cleaner will inspect your curtains for any stains, damages, or special care requirements.
2. Pre-treatment: Stains are treated with specialized cleaning agents to help loosen and remove them.
3. Dry cleaning: The dry cleaner will place the curtains in a large dry cleaning machine with a solvent. The equipment uses a gentle tumbling action to agitate the curtains without causing damage to the fabric.
4. Finishing: Once the cleaning process is complete, the curtains are removed from the machine and pressed or steamed to restore their shape and appearance.
5. Packaging: The curtains are packaged for delivery or return to the owner.

Dry cleaning can remove stains from curtains without causing damage to the fabric. At the same time, it preserves the quality of the material. Thus, helping to extend the lifespan of the curtains.

Not all curtains need to be dry cleaned because machine washing is also very common. Other than these two cleaning methods, it is important to note that it may also require other cleaning methods, such as spot cleaning or hand washing for some curtains. Therefore, you should check the care label or consult the cleaning professional for a suitable cleaning method.

The time it takes to dry clean your curtains will vary depending on the number, size, condition & material of the curtains and the availability & workload of the cleaning company. In general, the dry cleaning process takes from five to seven days. When you bring your curtains to the dry cleaning shop, they should be able to give you an estimation of time completion. Knowing the turnaround time can help you to plan accordingly and minimize inconvenience.

Before visiting a dry cleaning shop with dirty curtains, you should remove all the hardware, like the drapery weights, hooks, or rings. As such, you can prevent any damage to the curtains caused by the hardware.

In addition, you could also check the curtains for any damages, such as loose threads, holes, or tears. When you bring it to the dry cleaning shop, you can let them know so they can take extra care when handling your curtains.

If all these seem troublesome, you may pay a premium to the cleaning company for their pickup & delivery and the removal & installation service.

As a general guideline, the curtains are dry-cleaned every one to two years. However, the cleaning frequency also depends on several factors below:

1. You suffer from respiratory or allergy issues. It may be a good idea to clean your curtain more frequently to remove allergens and dust from the fabric.
2. Your curtains are exposed to smoke. If you smoke inside your house or have a fireplace, your curtains may absorb and trap the smoke and odors. Eventually, making your internal house smell unpleasant.
3. You have pets at home. If you have pets that like to spend time near the curtains, you may need to clean the curtains more frequently to remove the pet hair and dander.
4. Your curtains are exposed to sunlight. The color may eventually fade over time. Therefore, it requires more frequent cleaning to preserve its appearance.
5. Your curtains have stains or spills. And if you don’t treat them immediately, they may harden and become set. You are less likely to remove them by then.