Need help cleaning drapery sheers

**mfedor** · 08-20-2011, 08:12 AM

I have a limited amount of funds and I have some custom drapery that came with the house. The sheers I can take off but should be dry cleaned. I would rather use the money for another project - can anyone suggest a better way to clean the sheers that does NOT require me using professional dry cleaning?

I have a hand wash and delicate cycle on my new washing machine.

My biggest fear is that I will shrink them. The folks on this site have always had great ideas that worked.

So I am hoping that you will come through again.

thanks again.

**pat in east texas** · 08-20-2011, 08:45 AM

Do you know what kind of fabric the sheers are made of?

**monkeywrangler71** · 08-20-2011, 09:52 AM

My mother put hers in the washer on delicate and they came out in shreds.

If they're delicate I wouldn't trust the machine on any setting. Wash them in the tub in cold water, hang to dry, do not wring them.

**mfedor** · 08-21-2011, 05:32 AM

Originally Posted by pat in east texas

Do you know what kind of fabric the sheers are made of?

That's a tough question. I doubt that they are anything exotic but I am very concerned about shrinkage. I am not sure what they material is as I have always had them dry cleaned in the past. There are no tags that I can easily see.

**frugalwarrior2** · 08-21-2011, 07:16 AM

How many are there? It can't be that expensive? mom used to do hers by dipping them in dish soap and rinsing but I imagine she had made them and knew what fabric they were too.
I wouldn't risk it but if you must then let them drip dry to avoid as much shrinkage as poss.

**ahmom** · 08-22-2011, 12:41 PM

Dip a small end in water to see what will happen.
Mom would take the whole rod of sheers drip some dish soap on them then hose them off. They'd dry on the clothes line still on the rods.

**shoiji** · 08-24-2011, 04:58 PM

I have sheers also which are synthetic. Do not use bleach if they are synthetic. I put them in a large lingerie bag and toss them in the washing machine in cold delicate cycle. Then hang them back up to dry. My mother basically did the same thing when I was growing up and that is where I learned to do this.

If they are made of cotton you can probably do the same thing then toss the lingerie bag in the dryer and keep checking for dryness. You will probably need to steam out any wrinkles. Try googling to see how to wash cotton sheers.