Hi
An unusual crosspost. How does one get dirt off velvet curtains when it wont wash out? I've machine washed them at 40, but no joy. The label says wash at 30, dont dry clean, so I havent dry cleaned them. Basically they look like they've been handled along one edge with grubby paws.
Regards, NT
Find something that matches in color. Take that item to fabric store. Select a trim that will look good when sewn along the edge in question. You know the rest! HTH
--Karen M.
I take it you have not overloaded the machine? And have tried hand-washing?
Michael McNeil said
Bleach?
Yeah, its really too fat for that though. But that idea leads to the next: cut it off. I might do that, if I dont succeed on the cleaning front.
Thanks, NT
I just assumed machine washing was much more effective. Is that not true?
Regards, NT
"N. Thornton" wrote | > I take it you have not overloaded the machine? And have tried | > hand-washing? | I just assumed machine washing was much more effective. Is that not true?
Not always.
If you hadn't already washed them I'd have suggested fuller's earth (which is a large constituent of a lot of cat litter) to draw out the greasiness.
Although they say Do Not Dry Clean (any dry clean, or just particular solutions?) a dry cleaner may well have something.
When the curtains are down for cleaning you could fit a corded rail to prevent the problem reoccurring.
Owain
Not in this case, fer sure - you have AIUI just one small part of the curtain to wash some crap out of (hopefully figuratively rather than literally). Washing this part by hand will allow you to concentrate washing effort on just the dirty bit, to calibrate your rubbing effort according to the (lack of) robustness of the velvet, and to use such cleaning fluids (mayhap Calgon/Surcare or similar 'gentle' stuff) which are suited to the job, rather than being restricted to what is compatible with automatic washing. A case of d-i-y'ing indeed! (And rubber gloves are for wimps ;-)
Stefek
Yes, I expect to cord the rail... but of course I've got various more pressing things to do first, so it probably wont get done quickly.
Regards, NT
Have you tried the old standbys of first, methylated spirits as a solvent, followed by white spirit if that doesn't work. The solvents should be applied only around the stained areas. Follow the solvents with neat dishwasher liquid gently rubbed in one direction. Brush the velvet pile in the preferred direction after each operation(toothbrush). Hopefully, your curtains are either a cotton or nylon type(?) velvet. This approach will normally shift grease out of most things without significant damage. Wash gently as a final stage, to remove the solvents.
Regards Capitol
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