Is there an alternative to dry cleaning very large curtains?

[Watellz]

Curtains left by previous owner are very long and wide and in very decent condition. I like them. Clearly bespoke and have an insulating material between the layers. They must have cost a fortune.

They won't fit in my washing machine and anyway I wouldn't want to risk ruining them. They don't appear obviously dirty but are dusty and need fleshing up.

I would like to get them dry cleaned but guess dry cleaning will cost hundreds (?).

Is there an alternative to dry cleaning?

A good vacuum and one of those hand held steam cleaners? Might be worth buying one just for that if dry cleaning is going to be ridiculously expensive. Or might be able to hire one.

Edit: Try it somewhere inconspicuous first just in case!

some of the carpet cleaning companies also do curtains

I would be careful! Not shelling out for dry cleaning could be a false economy. If they shrink even a tiny bit, the lining and wadding will be too big and you'd have to have them remade.

Some things are also not suitable for dry cleaning. Are there labels?

No labels

I wouldn't dry clean the curtains they will hold on to the solvent used. I think steaming would be better.

Hang the curtains over a washing line and beat the dust out of them
Examine the curtains and spot clean any stains.
I used to work in a bespoke curtain shop and this was the advice. Hoovering with an upholstery brush then steaming are also recommended but not soaking any of the fabric.

Smallest step would to wait for a warm day, mist with water all over and leave them hanging in situ with the windows open. They’ll hold their shape best like that and the evaporation should take some of the musty smell. Next step up is take them down, dampen them and leave outside to dry. I’fly you have space lay them flat on a tarpaulin or folded over a line.

Light vacuum/beating should also be ok! But if you do take them down he careful with the pleats.