Yes, most curtains and drapes can be professionally cleaned, but check the care tag first. Lined, velvet, silk and blackout drapes are usually safest with a pro. For light dust, shake them outside and vacuum with a brush attachment. For clothes, shake off dry dust before washing so it doesn’t turn to mud.
Monsoon season is winding down, so it’s a good time to clean up the dust it left behind. New homes going up around Surprise and the West Valley add even more. And fall is when many of us freshen up the house before guests arrive. Coming back after a summer away? Pair this guide with our snowbird closet checklist.
Green Cleaners is family owned and has served the West Valley since 2007. Here’s how to handle the dust at home, and when to let us help.
Can Curtains Be Dry Cleaned?
Many can. The care tag decides.
Look for the tag on a side hem or along the top header. It will usually say one of these:
- “Dry clean only.” Water could shrink, stretch or spot the fabric. Keep it out of the washer.
- “Machine wash” or “hand wash.” The fabric can handle water. Use cool water and a gentle cycle.
- No tag at all. Don’t guess. Bring it in and ask.
Every set of curtains is a little different. Call or stop by to ask about your curtains and drapes, and we’ll tell you what we can do. You can also read about our curtain and drape cleaning and see all of our services.
Blackout, Sheer, Velvet and Linen Curtains: What Each One Needs
Each fabric has its own weak spot, so it pays to know yours.
- Blackout. Many have a coated lining on the back. Heat, scrubbing and the wrong cleaner can crack or peel that coating.
- Sheer. Thin and light, so it snags and tears easily. Handle it gently and skip hard shaking.
- Velvet. The soft pile can get crushed or matted by water and a washer’s spin.
- Linen. It wrinkles easily and can shrink if washed warm or dried hot.
- Silk. It can water spot, and desert sun weakens it over time. See our tips on caring for delicate fabrics.
How to Get Dust Out of Curtains Without Washing Them
Shake, vacuum, then spot-clean. You often don’t need to take them down.
- Shake them outdoors. Wait for the wind to die down. Carry small panels outside and shake them in short, gentle snaps. Stand upwind.
- Vacuum with a brush attachment. For curtains still on the rod, use the soft dusting brush on low suction. Work from the top down to the hem with slow, light strokes. Hold light panels steady so they don’t get sucked in.
- Get the hiding spots. Dust collects in pleats, folds, hems, tiebacks and on top of the rod.
- Use a lint roller on spots. It picks up stubborn dust without water.
- Fluff only if the tag allows it. If the care tag says the dryer is okay, an air-only or low-heat tumble can shake loose more dust.
Don’t wipe dusty fabric with a wet cloth. That turns fine dust into mud and can leave a mark.
Haboob and Construction Dust: Why West Valley Curtains Get So Dusty
Fine desert dust finds every gap.
A haboob pushes dust in around doors, windows and vents. Nearby construction adds more on breezy days. Homes that sit closed up all summer collect it too. The dust is so fine that it settles deep into the weave instead of sitting on top. Many people like to clean their drapes when dust season hits.
How to Get Dust Out of Clothes (Without Making Mud)
Let it dry, brush it off outside, then wash per the label.
- Let wet, dusty clothes dry first. Dry dust comes off. Wet dust smears.
- Shake or brush outdoors. A clothes brush works well on coats and blazers.
- Pre-treat marks. Red dirt can be stubborn. Our stain removal guide has general tips.
- Wash per the care label. Suits, wool coats and dresses labeled “dry clean only” should come to us.
Behind on laundry after the storm? Our free pickup and delivery covers our everyday laundry service too.
When to Call a Pro (and Skip the Ladder)
Bring items in when the tag says dry clean, the fabric is delicate, or the drapes are big and heavy.
Skip the home washer if your item is:
- Labeled “dry clean only.” Follow the tag.
- Lined or interlined. The fabric and lining can shrink at different rates, which leaves puckers.
- Velvet, silk, linen or blackout. See the cautions above.
- Pleated or tailored. Pressed folds can lose their shape.
- Large and heavy. Wet drapes strain your machine and may not dry evenly.
- Still dull or gray after vacuuming.
Our staff check each piece and its care label, and we use an organic cleaning solvent when we dry clean. Call or stop by to ask about your curtains and drapes, and call or stop by for pricing.
Taking drapes down is the hard part, so let us handle the trip. Local residents get free pickup and delivery. Once you’re on our route, we text you the night before. Pickup orders are usually back within a few days. Same-day or next-day service is for in-store drop-off only.
We clean drapes of any size. There’s no size limit.
Cleaning up bulky bedding too? We pick up comforters twice a month. Here’s how we clean comforters. We also offer alterations and wedding dress preservation.
Curtain and Drape Cleaning FAQs
Can blackout curtains be dry cleaned?
Often, but check the care tag first, because some blackout linings are coated. When in doubt, ask a professional cleaner before washing or dry cleaning.
How do you get dust out of curtains without washing them?
Shake them outside, then vacuum top to bottom with a brush attachment. A lint roller handles spots, and a no-heat dryer fluff works only if the tag allows it.
Can velvet or silk curtains be dry cleaned?
Usually yes, and a professional is the safest choice. Home washing can crush velvet pile or water-spot silk, so follow the label.
How much does it cost to clean drapes?
It depends on size, lining and fabric, so call or stop by for a quote. Call Surprise at (623) 584-2777 or Litchfield Park at (623) 535-9402. Ask about our military and senior discounts.
How do you get dust out of clothes after a dust storm?
Let the dust dry, shake or brush it off outdoors, then wash per the care label. Wetting dusty clothes first can smear the dirt in.
Do you have to take curtains down to clean them?
Not for light dust. Vacuuming while they hang works. A deep clean means taking them down, and Green Cleaners offers free pickup and delivery so you don’t have to haul them in.
Dusty drapes? Let us do the heavy lifting. Green Cleaners is family owned and has served the West Valley since 2007. Pickup and delivery are free for local residents, including everyday laundry. Ask about our military and senior discounts.
- Our Surprise store on Grand Ave: 14081 W Grand Ave Ste 101 · (623) 584-2777
- Our Litchfield Park store on Dysart Rd: 5110 N Dysart Rd #112 · (623) 535-9402 · 24-hour drop-off
- Sign up for free pickup and delivery
Call or stop by to ask about your curtains and drapes.
