I resigned from my office job 5 years ago and have not been to the dry cleaner since! I took 6 panels of pinch pleat curtains to the cleaner today and it is going to be $101.50 I guess that sounds about right but boy was I shocked. I've only had these drapes for a year and have been cleaning them with the dyson.

We also don't go to the dry cleaners for a year or more. Hubby works casually, so his suits only get used for weddings and funerals. I won't buy clothes that require it and wouldn't buy drapes that need it. Sometimes you have to look a little further to avoid buying those things, but it is worth it in the long run.

Cathleen

I feel your pain. I took a comforter to be cleaned and it was $40.00! This is the second time I've had to have it cleaned. I was just myself trying to figure out when it was worth getting something cleaned vs. just replacing it. Of course, if your curtains are only a year old, I guess it's too soon to replace them but I agree, paying over a 100.00 to havee them cleaned is crazy!

I don't have central air so I feel that I need lined drapes in the living room and my daughter's room that get the most sun. They do a great job blocking out the heat.

The solar shades in the JCPenney catalog caught my eye. It may be worth it to buy them and wipe them down than to clean drapes!

Years ago I had drapes made for the windows in the loft!

The lady that made them said that 99% of the curtains, never got dirty just dusty. She told me to take them down 2 times a year and throw them in the dryer with a dryer sheet. She said that the more you wash drapes and curtains that the fibers break down and actually will cause them to get limp and rot! Those curtains are still in the loft and it has been since the 80 that I had them made. And they still look great!

Now I have only valances over my blinds, and since they are up high and only get dust and not dirt, i do them the same way!

Thanks! I will try tumbling them next time. They did have dog hair on the bottom but I could easily get that off.

I just went to the dry cleaners too. The only dry clean item we have is my husband's suit and I think this is the 2nd time I've had it cleaned in 5 years. It is $12.

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It's not what you make; it's what you spend.

My husband's suit is WAY overdue. I've been touching it up.

That is crazy! DH wears his suit less than once a year, so I only take it in if it smells. (musty or whatever)

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Wendy~Self-proclaimed hippie momma to Bob and Jamie

I dont go to the dry cleaner anymore either. I wash everything in the washing machine, even if it says dry clean only or handwash. I usually wash them on gentle and line dry. With some stuff I have even put it in the dryer on low heat without any problems.