Drapery Care

ELIVANA ACCENTS WINDOW TREATMENT

The Oceana ring top and Marina tab top curtain-drape collections are hand-made with hand twisted 100% unbleached cotton rope, and are pre-washed. Due to the handcrafted nature of the window treatment, it's very important to provide the appropriate care for your purchase to insure a long lasting life.    

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE HANGING YOUR WINDOW TREATMENT 

Unpacking Instruction: Remove the curtains from the packaging. Lay the curtain on a flat surface and carefully unfold it. Untie all the strings except the string that secure the curtain's rings ( figure 1.1 ). Beware of any sharp protruding objects which may damage the curtain /drape.

WINDOW TREATMENT INSTALLATION

  • Install the curtains / drapes on your favorite rod. Begin by measuring and mounting the brackets. Grab the drapery panels from the hanging rings. Insert the drapery rod through every ring and untie the string that secures the rings.  Make sure all the rings are in the right position. Spread all the rings on the rod evenly, and install the rod on the brackets. Keep the enclosed string for cleaning or storing the drapes. After installing the curtain, it may take a few days for the weave to reach its full length. If you need the curtain at full length sooner, you can brush the bottom tassels with your fingers or gently use a wide plastic tooth comb with 3/8" space between each tooth. Use steamer as needed. 

CLEANING RING / TAB TOP CURTAINS AND DRAPES 

The best method to wash the curtain - drape panel is to use a large bathtub, children’s pool or a washing machine on the delicate cycle. 

Prior Cleaning Instructions

  • Grab the drape by the top hanging rings, pass the enclosed string through every ring, and make an extra loop around the first ring before tying it. Bring the two ends of the string together and make a knot ( figure 1.1 ). This prevents the tabs from tangling. Prepare the curtain / drape by securing any loose strings. Tie the curtain / drape together with pieces of cord just below the rings. For long tabs make sure to tie all of them at the top and at the bottom with strings ( figure 1.2 ). Secure the curtain / drape lower tassels by grouping 3 tassels together and tie them with string ( figure 1.3 ). Tie each curtain / drape panel every foot with string ( figure 1.5 ) and make sure to tie the tassels at the bottom. 
  • The curtain's tassels are very delicate. If you are using a washing machine make sure to secure the groups of tassel ( figure 1.3 ) with string at the top, tie them one more time in the middle and at the bottom. Fold the curtain / drape in half and tie the curtain / drape one more time in the middle. This prevents the ropes from tangling.
  • Fold the curtain / drape into a bundle with a new string. Place each curtain / drape in a separate large pillowcase or mesh laundry bag, and close the open end with large safety pins or additional strings.

    Bathtub Method / Hand Washing Drape

    Hand-wash: Set Of Two: 24"W Curtains Or Single: 48"W Drape Panel
    • Make sure you read and follow the Prior Cleaning Instructions, fill the bathtub with 8 to 10 gallons of lukewarm water (64°F - 84°F). Make sure the water cover the curtain / drape bundle. For natural ecru (beige) colored rope curtain / drape "DO NOT USE bleach", strong detergent or any chemicals as they will adversely affect the natural color of the rope. 
    • How to clean your curtains / drapes usually depends on the amount of the dirt and soil buildup on them.
    • Light dusty: Soak the curtain / drape bundle for (1- 2 hours) with only lukewarm water (64°F - 84°F) to preserve natural color. Make sure the water covers the curtain / drape bundle. After the soaking process, move the bundle back and forth for 5 minutes in the water to release the dirt and drain the dirty water. 
    • Normal soil or stains: Fill the bathtub with 8 to 10 gallons of lukewarm water (64°F - 84°F). Add (1 oz) very mild soap to the lukewarm water and let the curtain / drape rest for 15 minutes. Make sure the water covers the curtain / drape bundle. After the soaking process, move the bundle back and forth for 10 minutes in the water to release the dirt and drain the dirty water. If the curtain / drape has stains after the soaking process, you can gently open the laundry bag and scrub the affected area with a soft bristle brush. Rinse the curtain / drape bundle with lukewarm water until the water runs clean.
    • Very soiled:  Fill the bathtub with 8 to 10 gallons of lukewarm water (64°F - 84°F) and soak the bundle for 8 hours in the bathtub (with only the lukewarm water). Make sure the water covers the curtain / drape bundle. After the soaking period mix very mild soap (1 oz) to the water, and move the bundle back and forth for 15 minutes in the water to release the dirt, and drain the dirty water. If the curtain / drape has stains after the soaking process, you can gently open the laundry bag and scrub the affected area with a soft bristle brush. Rinse the curtain / drape bundle with lukewarm water until the water runs clean. 
    • Add fabric softener: Refill the bathtub with 8 to 10 gallons of lukewarm water ( 64°F - 84°F ) and mix gentle fabric softener (2 oz ) to the water. Move the bundle back and forth in the mixed softener water for 3 minutes and drain the water. Hang the bundle to drip for 20 to 30 minutes on a clothesline or in the bathtub ( press out the excess water ) and untie all the strings except the string that passed through the rings ( figure 1.1 ).                          
    Washing Machine Method
    • Make sure you read and follow the Prior Cleaning Instructions before you wash the curtain / drape. Set washing machine on hand wash or delicate cycle. For natural or ecru (beige) colored rope, " DO NOT USE  bleach, chemicals or strong detergent." Use only lukewarm water (64°F - 84°F) to preserve the natural color of the rope. If the curtain / drape is very dirty, add (1 oz) very mild soap and (2 oz) fabric softener. When the washing cycle is complete, gently untie all the strings except the string that passed through the rings ( figure 1.1 ). 

    Drying Method

    • When the washing is complete, remove the curtain /drape from the laundry bag and gently untie all the strings except the string that passed through the rings ( figure 1.1 ). Line-dry in the shade ( on a clothesline or hang the ring in a clean pole) ( figure 1.4 ). Make sure the curtain / drape is hung in an airy and shady area out of direct sunlight.  "DO NOT USE DRYER".  In a hot summer season, the curtain / drape may take 1 - 2 days to dry in the shade. After the curtain / drape is fully dry, hang it on the curtain rod and remove the string that passed through the rings. You can use steam to remove wrinkles as needed. Do not use an iron.   

    STORING CURTAINS AND DRAPES

    • Store the curtains clean and completely dry. Avoid storing curtains in damp moist areas. Damp cotton will rot. Never store the curtain / drape until it is thoroughly dry. Prepare the drape by securing any loose strings. Pass the enclosed string through every ring. Bring the two ends of the string together and make a knot. To prevent the ropes from tangling, tie the curtain at the opposite end, fold the curtain in half and tie it one more time in the middle. Store the curtain in a store bag constructed from weather-resistant fabric that is durable and breathable. If you can not find a bag as described, hang the rings on a single hook in a closet, basement or any place that stays dry. 

    WINDOW TREATMENT REPAIR  

    Woven curtains can be cut by sharp objects. If this situation occurs, gently ease the thread back into the weave and shake the curtain to even things out. If a thread is cut, take the thread, tie the ends back together and ease it back into the weave.

    CAUTION:

    Do not use bleach, strong detergent or any chemicals.

    Do not use hot water.

    Do not dry in direct sunlight.

    Do not use a dryer machine.

    Do not dry-clean.

    Do not use iron.

    Do not use sharp objects while unpacking or installing.

    Do not store the curtain until it is thoroughly dry. 

    Do not store curtains in damp moist areas.

    Retain Elivana Accents window treatment instructions for future reference as it contains important information.