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Curtain careThe short answer
UV degrades curtain fibres and fades dye from the window side inwards; cleaning removes soil but cannot restore colour or strength that sunlight has already taken.
Gulf sunlight through full-height glazing is relentless. The side of the fabric facing the window ages faster than the side facing the room, and silk and viscose go first.
How it is done
- Check the leading edge and the window-facing side for fading and brittleness
- Rotate curtains between windows where the drop and heading allow
- Sheers, films or external shading slow it far more than any product
- Expect silk and viscose to show it years before cotton or polyester
Why it matters
It is worth knowing before you book a clean. A curtain that has gone brittle in the sun can tear during handling, and we would rather tell you that at the inspection than after.
questions
Asked about this
No. Dye that UV has broken down cannot be brought back, and re-dyeing rarely ends well on lined curtains.
Handling can, which is why we assess condition first and use the gentlest method that will achieve anything.
references
Background reading
- Ultraviolet — Wikipedia
- Textile — Wikipedia