Cleaning vintage cotton curtains

[5andals]

So, recently (and perhaps foolishly) bought a load of cotton velvet curtains off Ebay. The plan is to create a full width curtain across an outside wall to help keep out the cold. I got a good deal on the material, so no issue there. My mistake is not fully appreciating how much they would need cleaning when I got them, so now I'm stuck with trying to work out the best way. Doing it myself is not an option ( I think anyway) as have been told that it needs to be done by a professional. First quote has come it at £380!, from a small local dry cleaner Going to get more quote but reckon it will be this or more. Has anyone got any tips on either getting cheaper professional clearing or a DIY approach?

Curtains have been deconstructed, so just need the main material cleaned, overall size ( across 4 curtains) is 9mx2.2m. I'm based in London.

What do you mean by cleaned?

Do you mean dusted?

They're surely not ingrained with dirt, or fat or fag smoke are they?

What about one of those hand held steamers or a sticky roller if you dont want to hoover them?

They are pretty filthy is areas, esp at the top where they were touching the wall - it the sort of grim that old building exude over time. You might be right though, that a good hoover might do the job, They also have the whiff of time about them.

Hand steamer might be another option as well.

I really like the idea of a wall of velvet for insulation! Nosily I’d love to know what colour.

Cotton velvet should be fine to wash in a washing machine, so if it was me I’d test a square or a panel in the washer and tumble dryer and see how it goes. If it works maybe the local laundrette or one of those by-the-kilo laundry services could get it done. If there are raw edges it could mean there’s fraying though.

Laundrette. Take the strings and
the hooks out, shake well and pop them
in the biggest machine. Use Ariel at 60 and, depending on the colour, oxybleach.

Hang out to dry if you can.

Iron while damp, on reverse side. You’ll be fine - cotton velvet is tough as old boots and needs washing not dry cleaning.

That dry cleaner saw you coming.

I'd actually wash them on a long, slow eco wash at 40 in the machine. Mine takes about 3 hours, so I'd put them in first thing, then hang them out to dry on the line. I find that things get cleaner when they are done on this slow wash cycle - it must give them time to soak more.

Please don't wash them above 30 @5andals, they may fall apart! A gentle wash at 30 with possibly a baby safe liquid (not powder at this temperature despite what they say!) A gentle spin and hang to dry. 🤞for you, vintage curtains are a lottery!

I think they might shrink badly if you wash at 60°.

I would hang them on the line in the first instance, in Sweden (or somewhere like that) they dont wash their heavy duty old wool trousers, they just air them on the line

I wasn't 100% sure on the colour, but found enough fabric being sold on eBay ( by combining a number of curtains being sold from one property so I could be sure the colour and fabric matched) that was a gold ribbed velvet. I'm happy with that. I'm planning on adding in horizontal strips of contrasting colours ( blue and purple perhaps) to make up for areas where I don't have enough length. Even toying with adding a big circle, so it's quite graphic when it shut. I think I'm using the old cinema/ theatre stage curtains as my inspiration. It may go horrible wrong but going to give it a go.

Yes, I wasn't sure either. I've got another quote for £90 from a larger upholstery/ curtain specialist ( with Royal appointment don't you know) and think they might know more about that sort of thing, as think that lot have a fair amount of velvet stuff knocking about

No line I'm afraid. Live in a central London flat. If I could I would.