Fine fabrics and furnishings add the finishing touches to a home, introducing warmth, softness and colour into any interior décor. However, drapes, fabrics and rugs need to be treated with care and attention if you want to enjoy them for years to come. With over 165 years’ experience, Royal Warrants holder Pilgrim Payne & Co Ltd, the curtain, carpet and upholstery cleaning specialist, explains how to look after your soft furnishings to extend their life through proper fabric care.
Caring for drapes
Your draperies work as part of your home’s air circulation system. They trap heating and cooking vapours, oil, dust, pollen and bacteria that float freely in the air. Some of these residues contain sulphur dioxide that gradually turns into sulphuric acid, deteriorating drapery fibres and fading colours. However, with proper care, quality drapes should last a minimum of eight to 10 years, while unlined fabrics will last five to seven years. Following a few simple steps will help you to ensure the long life of your furnishings:
- Draperies should be professionally cleaned every two to three years. If tobacco or fireplace smoke is present, it’s best to have them cleaned yearly
- Between professional cleanings you should vacuum and brush draperies: the headings, pleat recesses and back of the drapery should be cleaned
- Drapery fabric can be damaged by opening and closing. Always use a pull cord where possible.
- To minimise the effects of both direct and indirect light, have a good lining and rotate the drapes if possible. Sheer window drapes under outer draperies can provide excellent protection against sun streaks and condensation stains
- Black out lined, acrylic lined , or self-lined drapes, require special attention or problems can occur with improper handling. Professional cleaning is needed to avoid cracking, blistering or peeling of the backing and ensure long wear
Dust busters
Dust accumulation is harmful to both fabrics and furnishings. It fades colour, erodes the fibre’s strength and is proven to have an abrasive action on fabric.
- Vacuum carpets every week, using an upright vacuum with a beater bar for best results. Vacuum heavily trafficked areas twice a week
- For upholstered items, vacuum every week. Most cleaners come with an attachment for this job. If possible, rotate and reverse cushions on sofas and chairs
- Don’t forget to vacuum draperies with the soft brush attachment
- Professionally clean carpets every one to two years. Draperies and upholstered furniture should be professionally cleaned every two to three years
Breathe easy
Dust mites and their by-products are the most worrying factors in house dust, accounting for 95 percent of house-dust sensitivity – a frightening thought when allergies and asthma are on the rise. The mite proliferates in the bedroom where we spend one-third of our time, so it’s important to combat its effects.
- Choose a pillow filled with a synthetic material, other than foam. Feathers promote allergens from dust mites and foam aids the growth of mould
- Cover pillows, divans and mattresses with a specialised liner fabric
- Use machine washable synthetic or cotton blankets or duvets on your bed, and wash them at least every three months
- Carpets should be cleaned professionally at least every one to two years. Hot water extraction cleaning is the best method. Shampooing does not remove the dust mite
- Drapes and Venetian blinds harbour dust. Vacuum them weekly on both sides and have them professionally cleaned at least every two to three years
Whatever assistance you require in maintaining the appearance of your home Pilgrim Payne provides a service that is tailor made to your own special needs. As Industry Partner to the British Institute of Interior Design and members of the National Carpet Cleaners Association, Pilgrim Payne understands how to handle valuable soft furnishings and offers a comprehensive cleaning service.
- Curtains taken down, cleaned and reinstalled with full non-shrinkage guarantee
- On-location cleaning of carpets, upholstered furniture, fabric walling etc
- Cleaning of fine rugs (including Persian, Turkish and Chinese rugs) and tapestries
- Take off, cleaning and refitting of loose covers
- Application of Fabric and Carpet protector
- General cleaning service (London clients only)
- New curtain, relining and alteration service carried out on our own premises
- Manufacturers of upholstered furniture
- Re-upholstery service carried out by craftsmen and flame retarding service
Contact Us
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020 8453 5350
Services
Testimonials
"You are a genius! Our curtains look fantastic - and the pelmets and tassels so much better than I ever hoped. I can't thank you enough for all the time and attention and extra care you gave them. It did make a huge difference even from the way they looked."
Mrs Z
"I wanted to take a moment to say 'Thank You' for making it possible to get my curtains hung the other day. Your technician was extremely experienced, professionally and frankly an all round nice 'Scot'!"
James
"Very pleased with the result of their cleaning my lounge curtains. French fabric, slightly faded 10 year old linen curtains which they cleaned beautifully and put back up resulting in them looking better than originally hung when new."
Mr C
"Ian and his team came and rehung the curtains and pelmets. They all look GREAT and I can't thank you enough for all your kindness, attention, and skill - we hope for no further dramas, and to be able to sit in the room and enjoy the results of your labours."
Mrs L
"Today I had the pleasure of one of your employees visiting my house in Richmond. To my shame I did not catch his name. I thought it might have been on the estimate/pro forma but I cannot find it. I just thought you would want to know that I cannot imagine having a friendlier or more knowledgable person. If your other staff are at this level you are a very lucky employer indeed."
Mr S
"Gregory has done a great job for us. What a great guy!"
Mr T
"Have used twice for carpet cleaning and once for upholstery cleaning. Very professional."
Mrs D
"I just wanted to let you know how happy I was with the work you recently did for us cleaning rugs and curtains. Your representative Ian was especially good, courteous, efficient, knowledgeable and helpful. I just wanted to pass that on to you, and hopefully you will let him know."
Mrs P
"A note to say thank you for doing such an impressive job in cleaning my bedroom curtains. They look amazing and your service was quick, courteous and efficient. I will definitely recommend you."
Ms K
"I just wanted to thank you, and your colleagues, for the lovely blinds you made for us. I have been very impressed with all aspects of your service (the speed of your initial response, Gerry's knowledge and approach when he came to measure up and the speed with which you made and delivered the blinds) and we are delighted with the finished products. Please pass our thanks onto your colleagues."
Ms van der K
"I just wanted to say thank you so much for arranging the carpet cleaning and for fitting this in the diary so quickly, we really appreciated it. Ray and John have done a great job and I am amazed that the stains in the carpet seem to have vanished!"
Ms R
"Well I was on site yesterday and Gerry did a fabulous job and the curtains, all things considered, look great. Well done – great job!! Thank you."
Ms N
"What a pleasure to meet Roger – what an expert and I really appreciate your follow-up and all details. Professionalism in feet and inches… love it"
Ms M
"I just wanted to thank you again for today. I believe it is Gerry I met and he was absolutely wonderful in re-fitting the curtain and pelmets and extremely helpful."
Embassy, W1
"I have recently had my lounge suite cleaned, having used your company to clean curtains and a rug last year and was very impressed.The staff on the phone are very friendly and efficient as well as the staff who visited the house,combined with the super quality of service and results and extremely good value, yours is the only Company I would ever use or recommend.Thank you."
Mrs S. Hampton TW12
"Many thanks. It is always a pleasure to do business with your company. You always do what you say you will do!"
Mrs M. London W5
"I just wanted to write to let you know how delighted I was with my curtains. They came back yesterday and two lovely gentlemen took great care in hanging them. The additional blue material has been so beautifully added. The workmanship is of such a high standard. I wanted to express heartfelt thanks for your assistance and to all that worked on them. It just leaves me to wish you and the company continued success. I am sure I will be using your services again."
Meena
We had a post builder sparkling clean and the service was exceptional. Nothing was too much trouble, Maria and the team were extremely accommodating, and the house was spotless when they left. We look forward to bringing them onto many projects in the future.
Alice Chudley
Immaculate service. From booking, through estimating, to cleaning. They have knowledgeable employees who are thorough and care. Amazing results too. They do things correctly, the first time, with the right attitude (which I find isn't often the case here in London!).
Sarah Frances Hartley
My large white curtains and blinds were cleaned, washed and rehung to perfection during November 2020. When Ian, who was extremely helpful, professional, friendly, prompt, and knowledgeable, rehung these in several rooms, they were gleaming white, clean and fresh, just as though they were brand new again. Pilgrim Payne is the tops and Ian is a fine ambassador for such a superb company. MANY THANKS
Christine Nickson
I always have my curtains and upholstery cleaned by Pilgrim Payne. They do a fantastic job, are reliable and trustworthy. They are not cheap but are worth every penny. In particular I want to praise John who gets out stains that I didn't think were possible to remove. On his recent visit he transformed my 7-year-old white sofa so that it looked like a new purchase! And he magicked away two unsightly spots from a cream curtain. He is Mr Magic Man!!
O Udwin
Great customer service! And very skilled people! This time for my small studio I wanted REAL professional and skilled people to do my cream carpet. And I was most happy to have great service from Chris for estimates and Charlie who did a fabulous job making my carpet come back to life! Money well spent!
Mir Lucch
Jamie from Pilgrim Payne has just left, and all the rugs look new, thanks to his care and attention. A lovely friendly person to have in the house - and the dog thinks so too.
Susan Hamlyn
