OAK HARBOUR – A property manager previously unknown to us learned through a mutual contact that paint removal from drapes is possible when an attempt is made within days. Actually, while it’s best to get after it immediately, we’ve removed paint that was said to be 2 years old.
The paint transfer shown in the ‘Before’ image above was on the order of 1 month old by the time we arrived. Several drapery panels occupying the same room had been tied back prior to commencement. Unfortunately, all were released before the paint completely dried. Several others had paint transfer on them as well.
The ‘After’ photo shows the same area shown in the ‘Before’ photo, but following successful removal of the offending substance. Given the fact that repeated spot treatments and mechanical action must be applied in specific sequence, the time spent on just this one panel amounted to approximately an hour and a half.
It’s imperative anyone attempting to remove a substance like paint understands just how much mechanical action can be used without changing the drape’s appearance. Too much, and its fabric can become abraded. Much the same as new shoes are scuffed against rough surfaces.
Latex wall paint presents the best chance of success, as far as complete removal is concerned. Oil based paints, and especially enamels are much more stubborn. Alas, removal of epoxy coatings is not possible at all.
ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Requested Service: Hunter Douglas Silhouettes Cleaned
LOBLOLLY PINES – For aesthetics and functionality this homeowner could not have selected a better window covering for her master bedroom window openings. Elegant look with light filtering properties even as it provides visibility, during the day. Then, with a flip of the vanes, that all important privacy at night.
One drawback is that insects have a tendency to crawl between the fabric layers and die there. (TIP: Use canned air to blast those critters out.) In this case there had also been a roof leak, causing water stains hither and thither.
Having been thoroughly satisfied with our work on previous projects, the property manager reached out. We’re so thankful for such continued confidence in our abilities.
ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.
BALLEN ISLES – A lovely home in the St. James section had 5 openings (3 pictured) with sheer panels draped off iron medallions and through ornamental tie-backs. No stains, but the lady of the house noticed a bit of surface dust last month. The panels were twelve years old and had never been cleaned. She remembered a friend raving about drapery panels cleaned in her home by ADVANCED ON-SITE a couple years earlier.
We just LOVE IT when a satisfied customer recommends our services!
ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.
This Singer Island homeowner had a very large and expensive Luminette by Hunter Douglas installed over a sliding glass door opening. (pictured) A few weeks later he hired a marble polishing company to service his floors.
The polishing process threw small amounts of a gritty compound up onto the Luminette’s face. Needless to say, the owner was very upset. That is, until he learned of our capabilities. Now he could have it restored to original condition at a fraction of the cost to replace it!
Thankfully the polishing company did the right thing. They absorbed the cleaning cost. However that’s not always the case. Which sometimes has the effect of rendering our service even more valuable.
ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Pictured above is a French door opening with tied back drapery panels and a matching upholstered cornice overhead. Though they both feature identical fabric, the cornice may be wet cleaned. Whereas the drapes should never be wet cleaned. Why is this?
In a word: Shrinkage.
First, let’s talk about why some fabrics do not react well to water. As we all know, items like bluejeans and cotton tees must be either preshrunk, or purchased one or more sizes larger to allow for shrinkage after laundering. There’s a specific reason for this.
The stretching of fabric during garment manufacture stresses its fibers. When the material is saturated with water for the first time that stress is relieved. This is especially true when the water has been heated.
For our purposes here “shrinkage” may be defined as a reduction in the surface area of the material. Meaning, movement occurs as the material contracts. The result is a change in appearance. Not just because the material now appears smaller. But also because in becoming smaller, it pulls at and encounters resistance from stitching at its seams, and even its own fibers as they release stress at different rates. This commonly displays as “curling” along the edges, and “rumpling,” or “drawing,” across the face.
When fabric is stretched taut across a padded wood framework, then fixed in place using stitching or fasteners as in the case of upholstery, shrinkage is not possible. The fabric simply cannot contract, because it has nowhere to go. That’s why the above referenced cornice is exempt from shrinkage.
Loosely hanging draperies, though, are quite another matter. As are non-upholstered accessories, like skirts and arm covers found on some sofas and chairs.
Be Sure You’re Protected
Condition issues often arise when a cleaning service successfully lobbies the homeowner to include furniture and draperies in a carpet cleaning project. Greatly reduced additional fees are generally cited as motivation.
When this happens, a written guarantee of NO shrinkage or damage should be obtained. Why? Because reduced fees are often justified through the elimination of time consuming processes. Such as purging equipment for the switch from a water based solution to something safer. As previously mentioned, this may not cause problems when cleaning some upholstered sofas and chairs. However, the accompanying image shows what usually happens when non-upholstered items are cleaned in this manner.
Fixed at their upper limit, where the manufacturer intended them to meet, the pictured sections of skirting have drawn away from each other below that point. The resulting “splayed” appearance (circled) is a telltale sign that this sofa has been improperly cleaned.
A closer examination reveals something more. There’s been no shrinkage of the unseen lining on the back side of the skirting. How do we know? The tendency of the vertical edges to curl tells us that the lining is not subject to shrinkage. It may be made of a non-shrinking synthetic material (polyester, acetate, nylon, etc.). Or, it may contain a lightweight plastic insert. Either way, the non-shrinking liner was forced to yield to the movement of the face fabric as it shrank.
What Is Dry Cleaning?
The term “dry clean” is a bit of a misnomer. Liquid solvent is in fact necessary to thoroughly launder any fabric material. In this context the word “dry” simply refers to the absence of water. Put another way, solvents and spot treatments used in the dry cleaning process do not contain any trace of it.
Unfortunately, Perchloroethylene (PCE) is likely still the most widely used dry cleaning solvent in the U.S. Even though it was classified toxic by the State of California in 1991, and will be banned there by 2023. That’s why ADVANCED ON-SITE made a conscious decision to purchase equipment that would utilize the only safe alternative. Essentially an odorless mineral spirit refined to the nth degree, then ‘charged’ with a compatible detergent booster, our solution is safe for use in hospitals and nursing homes.
The Conclusion of the Matter
Now, just because an item can be wet cleaned does not necessarily mean it should be. For example, though a cornice and its matching drapes may be made of identical fabric, among professionals it’s generally considered unwise to clean one using a different solution than the other. This is because differing solutions absorb, then dry at different rates. Depending on fabric type and texture, slight variations in appearance can result when drying is complete. Therefore, both the cornice and drapes should be dry cleaned.
The ability to identify fabrics and anticipate their individual reactions to cleaning and handling is the reason ADVANCED ON-SITE can offer its exclusive NO shrinkage or damage guarantee. Call 561-644-4091 for more info.
This resident of Broken Sound in Boca Raton was having some work done on their roof when the contractor accidentally cut through the A/C unit’s condensation line. Water came down the walls and ultimately onto their eleven month old window shades (Pirouette® by Hunter Douglas). Pirouette cleaning was in order.
When we left you couldn’t tell where even the nastiest water stains had been. Customer = GIDDY!
ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.
While the owners of this Boca Raton residence were 1500 miles away at their home in Montreal, the pictured area of ceiling developed a leak and partially collapsed.
Monsoon conditions in September forced enough water through the breach and down the right-side drape, so as to wick into the bedding it comes into contact with on the bed’s left side. Structural elements incorporating fabric, such as the bed’s headboard and skirting, as well as the carpet below, all ended up with rust colored water stains.
ADVANCED ON-SITE does not normally clean bedding, upholstery, or carpeting. However in this case we elected to roll all three into a package that would most quickly and efficiently remediate the damage. After the leak was repaired and the ceiling restored, we went in to erase all remaining evidence.
Though not as heavy, the fabric was of an almost canvas-like material, in the sense that it was quite densely woven. This limits the effectiveness of the usual injection/extraction method. That’s when our arsenal of exclusive cleaning agents and techniques, together with years of experience, becomes so critical.
Removing all traces of what were some pretty significant deposits, involved a six hour process requiring the application of multiple agents, in specific sequence, with thorough rinsing between each.
When we were through, it was as if the incident never happened. Customer = SPELLBOUND!
ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.
These very heavy lined draperies and matching top treatment really drank up the dry clean solution.
The main ingredient in dry clean solution is a solvent that can best be described as mineral spirits, subjected to several more levels of refinement. As such, it is a petroleum derivative, and therefore much more expensive than the distilled water used for wet cleaning.
Interestingly, while the cost of gasoline has dropped by up to $2.00 a gallon in the year preceding this writing, dry clean solution has remained pretty much steady. Primarily because the main costs are associated with the comprehensive refinement process, as well as special cleaning agent additives. For these reasons, a dry cleaning project can end up costing half again as much as a wet cleaning project.
Coming soon, a post explaining why certain window coverings must be dry cleaned rather than wet cleaned.
ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.
The sheer panels pictured were peppered with regularly spaced dragonfly appliques, approximately one inch square. As the material was synthetic, these panels could have been placed in a washing machine with no danger of shrinkage. However, with the possibility that the appearance of even one applique could be altered during the agitation process, there’s no point in risking it. Our exclusive ON-SITE process is safe and effective. NO shrinkage or Damage, GUARANTEED!
ADVANCED ON-SITE‘s specialty is drapery and shade cleaning, though we offer a range of other services related to window coverings. Contact us to discuss your needs.
