Fabric care guide: Keeping curtains, upholstery and cushions looking new

Read the Fabric Care Label Before Cleaning

•    Wash Codes, Fibre Content and Manufacturer Instructions

Every fabric label hides a small code that tells you exactly how it wants to be treated, and skipping it is how a perfectly good cushion cover shrinks itself into a coaster.

•    Weekly Vacuuming, Dusting and Cushion Rotation

A quick vacuum with a soft brush attachment once a week keeps dust from settling deep into fibres where it quietly does the most damage, window curtains included, since they trap more dust than most people realise.

•    Monthly Checks for Stains, Fading and Loose Threads

A monthly once-over catches small problems, a loose thread, a faint stain, while they are still a five-minute fix rather than a replacement.

How to Care for Curtains

•    Preventing Sun Damage, Shrinkage and Mould

Window curtains facing direct sun fade fastest, so rotating or lining them extends their life considerably, while keeping them dry prevents the mould that loves a damp monsoon fold.

•    Spot-Test Before Using Any Cleaning Product

Always test any cleaning product on a hidden patch first, since what looks safe on the label can still react badly with a particular dye or finish.

•    Water-Based vs Solvent-Based Cleaning Methods

Water-based cleaners suit most everyday fabrics, while solvent-based options are generally reserved for fabrics explicitly marked as unsuitable for water.

•    Cleaning High-Touch Areas and Pet Hair

Armrests and seat edges collect the most grime, and a rubber glove run gently over the fabric lifts pet hair far more effectively than most brushes.

Cushion Care and Shape Maintenance

•    Wash Removable Covers Correctly

Removable covers should be washed according to their own label, not the cushion's, since inserts and covers often have different care needs entirely.

•    Fluff, Rotate and Air Cushion Inserts

Regular fluffing and the occasional afternoon of fresh air keep cushion inserts from going flat and slightly sad-looking.

•    Food, Oil, Ink, Mud and Pet Accidents

Different spills need different first moves; oil needs absorbent powder before any liquid touches it, while mud is best left to dry completely before brushing off.

•    Blotting vs Rubbing and Other Common Mistakes

Blotting lifts a stain; rubbing just spreads it further into the weave, which is the single most common mistake made in the first panicked thirty seconds after a spill.

Fabric-Specific Care Tips

•    Cotton, Linen, Polyester, Velvet and Leather

Cotton and linen generally tolerate gentle washing, polyester shrugs off most stains with ease, velvet prefers brushing over scrubbing, and leather wants only a damp cloth and the occasional conditioner.

When to Call a Professional Cleaner

• A stain that has already set despite prompt treatment
• Delicate fabrics like silk or antique upholstery
• Heavily soiled curtains that have never been professionally cleaned
• Persistent odours that home cleaning hasn't resolved
• Fabric with unknown or unlabelled care requirements