Have you noticed that
even if you never open your windows,
those draperies, shades, blinds and windows still get grimy,
dirty, filthy?
How? Why?
The word is "convection."
It refers to the movement of air because of the differences in
density due to temperature. Warm air is lighter than
cold air. When the sun heats the air in the space
between your windows and window treatments, the warm air rises
and cooler air is drawn in at the bottom. The graphic
shows how convection works.
- There is
actually quite a bit of air flowing across and around your
blinds, draperies, shades and window glass, even though the
windows are closed!
- Dirt, dust, lint,
pollen, bacteria, grease, allergens, smoke particles - all of
these stick to your window treatments and window glass, then
bake on in the heat of the day. When the air in the
space cools, the direction is reversed.
Fabrics
such as carpet, upholstered furniture and draperies act as
filters, trapping soils, pollutants, gases and animal
dander. Like any filter, they need to be cleaned.
- It is important
to have fabrics cleaned before damage is permanent. Soil
on window treatments promotes the growth of mildew and
mold. Bacteria from the decomposition of body oils,
perspiration and foods, airborne particulates, as well as fume
fading, can permanently damage or discolor fabrics. This
damage to the fabric fibers cannot be fixed by cleaning.
Do you
have allergies? Are you concerned about indoor air
quality? Protect your investment in your window
treatments: there are substances clinging to your window
coverings that will only degrade them. Some
of the substances on your window treatments can cause pitting,
corrosion, oxidation and ruin them, or aggravate allergic
reactions.
- Many of today's
window fashions cannot be taken down and cleaned using
conventional in-plant dry-cleaning methods. In-plant
cleaning can cause damage or shrinkage, and you will
probably be required to sign a waiver that says the cleaner
is not responsible for the damages.
The
good news is: you can have all of your window treatments
cleaned right where you are. You don't have to hang
up sheets or live in a "fish bowl" because your shades,
draperies or blinds don't go "out" for cleaning!
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