What's the best way to clean and take care of my drapes?


Cleaning and caring for your drapes is a two-step process. The first step is to regularly vacuum your drapes using the upholstery hand tool. We recommend you do this monthly or, at the very least, during your regular spring and fall housecleaning. How often to vacuum depends on various factors, such as:

• How often is the window open?
• Do you have screens on the windows?
• What are the dust and pollen levels in area?
• What heating system is in the home?
• Is there any construction happening in the area?
• Have there been any natural events in the area (i.e., wildfires)?

STEP 1: Vacuuming
The objective in vacuuming your drapes is to prevent dirt from accumulating on the fabric. If the dirt isn’t removed it will eventually be absorbed by the fabric over time. This dirt will then react with the sun’s UV rays, making it abrasive and shredding the fibres. Frequent vacuuming will keep your drapes looking great for years without cleaning.

STEP 2: Cleaning
You’ll know that it’s time to clean your drapes when the fabric begins to look dingy or discoloured. You can easily clean them at home in your dryer by following these steps:

1. Remove drapes from rods or rails and remove all pins and hooks.

2. Place a single panel at a time in the dryer. If multiple panels have been seamed together you may need to use a large commercial dryer for this process.

3. Add a dry cotton bath-size towel and a single fabric softener sheet. The towel will absorb any grime that is released during tumbling and the fabric softener will refresh the fabric.

Important: do not use fabric softener sheets on drapes with polyester fibre content.

4. Set the dryer on the air or no-heat cycle or use the lowest heat setting available as hot settings may cause shrinkage.

5. Set the timer for 30 minutes. Remove the panel immediately and hang without folding on a pant hanger or back into the window. Soft rumples should hang out but ironing or steaming may be necessary for removing wrinkles.

6. Repeat for each panel, using a fresh towel and fabric softener sheet each time.

All-cotton towels will absorb more dirt than poly-cotton blends. Several customers who have cleaned their fabrics using this method were amazed at how much dirt was released during the tumbling and by how dirty the towel was afterwards!

Fabrics that are not dry cleaned will last three or four times longer than those frequently sent to the cleaners. By following these recommendations you can replace your drapes when you want to, not because you have to.

You offer the Hunter Douglas Gallery 20/20 Gold Guarantee - what is it?


The 20/20 Guarantee states that "once the installation of your new window coverings is complete, we invite you to enjoy them in your home for 20 days. At the end of the 20-day period, in the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with the way your new window coverings beautify your home, contact Arlene's Interiors during the following 20 days. We will work with you to replace your window coverings with your choice of any Hunter Douglas product of equal or lesser value. It's that simple!"

Do you only carry fabric samples?


Arlene’s carries thousands of full bolts so you can truly appreciate each fabric before making your decision. When you pull out a roll of fabric you will be able to visualize the full effect of how it will look in your home.

How do I decide between reupholstery or slipcovers?


A great way to update your home is to change the look of your furniture, replacing worn or outdated fabrics and coordinating unmatched pieces for a cohesive look. This can involve adding slipcovers or reupholstering chairs and sofas.

Reupholstery is a great opportunity to build up cushioning or make any necessary repairs to your furniture. Springs, stuffing and fabric can be replaced and wood can be refinished. This is a good option for pieces with unusual shapes as the new fabric is tightly fitted to the frame.

Slipcovers are perfect for families and pet owners as they can easily be removed and cleaned. This is also a good option for furniture that has adequate padding and springs that are still in good condition.

What should I decorate first - flooring, walls or windows?


We recommend choosing your fabrics for window coverings as well as any furniture reupholstery first as these are usually the items that have the most colour, texture and detail. You can then pull complementary and accent colours from your fabric choices and use these for walls, floor and accessory pieces.

How can I tell if my chair is worth recovering?


There are two reasons to reupholster or add slipcovers to furniture, the emotional and the practical. The emotion reason comes from your personal attachment to the piece. Do you really love it? Is it an unusually shape? Does it have some meaning to you, having inherited it or received it as a gift?

The practical reason is all about quality of the frame. Simply put, if it has a good frame then it`s worth recovering. Since you can`t usually see the frame with all the padding and fabric, here’s a few tips to help test the quality:

• Check the weight: a good quality frame will be made from solid hardwood and springs so it should have a substantial weight to it
• Check the structure: wiggle the arms and back to determine if it`s solid or loosely constructed
• Check the legs: flip the piece over so you can see if the legs are part of the frame, which is another sign of quality work

Whatever the reason, your attachment matters and you should consider recovering to extend the life of the piece so you can continue to enjoy it. Arlene’s can pick up your piece and give you an assessment on the quality and determine the amount of fabric required to recover it. Give us a call – we’re here to help.

Do you have drapery hardware in-stock?


Arlene’s carries one of the largest selections of drapery hardware collections in the Lower Mainland, including several hard-to-find styles and remote-control options. From simplistic tracks to elaborate decorative rods, rings, brackets and finials, you'll find everything you need to solve even the most difficult of installation challenges. And Arlene’s professionals are available to measure and install your hardware to ensure a perfect fit.

Can I use any fabric for drapes?


Different fabrics provide different benefits, such as cotton for durability and variety. However, cotton is prone to shrinking and wrinkling so depending on the window treatment desired you may want to consider other types of fabric. Your choice of fabric will also depend on the lining (blackout, thermal, etc.) and what you are trying to accomplish (light filtering, light blocking, etc.). Talk to your Arlene’s designer to choose the perfect fabric for your drapes.

What is a roman shade?


A roman shade is a tailored window treatment made from fabric that hangs as a flat panel when lowered and folds accordion-style when raised. A series of fabric tapes, rings and cords are sewn on the back of the shade for raising and lowering and remote-control operation is available for hard to reach windows. There are several types of roman shades available so talk to your Arlene’s designer to determine the one that suits your window, room and personality.

What's the difference between blackout and thermal linings?


Blackout lining is a poly-cotton cloth that is given coatings of acrylic foam with an opaque layer. When fit correctly to the window blackout lining will block out almost all incoming light, providing a perfect environment for sleeping or home theatres. Thermal lining has a layer of acrylic foam to keep rooms warm in winter and cool in summer, reducing your heating and air conditioning costs. Both linings will also protect your drapes and furnishings from the sun’s damaging rays while providing some noise reduction.

Do you offer installation service?


Arlene’s professionals can install your window treatments, along with measuring your windows in advance to ensure a perfect fit.

How do I take care of my window treatments?


Drapes and Sheers
Have your drapes and sheers professionally dry cleaned, usually every three years for drapes and annually for sheers depending on the fabric. Talk to your designer when choosing your fabrics to determine the best practices for your finished window treatments. Some fabrics will shrink if they haven’t been prewashed. If you do get some shrinkage after cleaning your drapes you can lower the hem to keep the required length.

We also recommend vacuuming your drapes with a dust brush attachment every three to four months, or more frequently if your home has been under construction or there is any other reason that dust levels have increased or if any of your family members have dust allergies.

In addition to cleaning your drapes, consideration should be given to environmental factors such as incoming light and moisture. Sun damage to fabrics can include fading or streaking as well as the eventual break down and deterioration of the fabric. Adding drapery lining or blinds behind your drapes will reduce sun damage by protecting the fabric from direct contact with the sun.

Contact with condensation on windows can cause water stains on fabrics as well as mildew problems. If you have frequent condensation on your windows it is a good habit to regularly wipe up the excess water to avoid it coming in contact with your window treatments.

Blinds and Shutters
Regular dusting or vacuuming with the dust brush attachment will avoid build up on your blinds between cleanings. For vinyl and aluminum blind vanes you can usually wipe them clean with a damp cloth. Fabric vanes should only require regular vacuuming to remove dust but if they do become stained you can gently scrub the area with warm water and a mild detergent.

Wood or faux-wood shutters should be dusted regularly. If they require cleaning, wipe the slats with a soft cloth on both sides while being careful to not pull on cords or trims. Do not use water or cleaners on your wood blinds or shutters as they can absorb moisture and become warped. You can use wood oils to preserve the finish and lustre.

Pleated Shades
These shades need to be treated gently to avoid damaging the pleats. Lightly vacuum the shades regularly to avoid build up. To clean soiled areas, remove the shade from the window and lay on a clean, flat surface. Spot clean with spray foam upholstery cleaner and wipe with a damp sponge in the direction of the pleats. Allow to dry before rehanging to avoid strain on the pleats while the shade is wet.

How do I measure my window for either an inside or outside mounted window treatment?


While we recommend you contact us to arrange for a professional to measure your windows, if you'd like to do it yourself, below are some general guidelines.

INSIDE MOUNT

1. Measure the width inside the window opening at the top, middle and bottom. The top measurement is critical because the headrail must fit. Record the actual dimension of the shortest width to the nearest one eighth of an inch.

2. Measure the height inside the window opening at left, right and center. Record the actual dimension of the shortest height to the nearest one eighth of an inch. Also measure the window on its diagonals. If the two diagonal dimensions are not exactly the same, it may be necessary to specify an outside mount for optimal fit, light control and privacy.

3. The ordered width should ensure a precise fit for the headrail and allow proper operation of the shade. If widths in the window vary, order the minimum width necessary to allow the shade to raise and lower properly.

4. The ordered height should ensure clean operation at the base of the window as well as provide maximum privacy and light control.

5. Be sure the window opening is deep enough to install the mounting bracket.

OUTSIDE MOUNT

1. Measure the desired width and height. To minimize light leakage, the shade should overlap the window opening at least 2" on each side and at the bottom.

2. When measuring the height, take into account the requirements for mounting the bracket attachment.