I have used them in the past, not lately. I liked them fine (sweaters, wool jacket), I wouldn't use them for a serious dry-cleaning need, like a stain or something, but for freshening up curtains on a regular basis, it might be a great idea.

I've used them to freshen, but not to clean stains. My complaint with them is that they left behind a very strong chemical smell. It was strong enough that one day someone at work asked "Do you smell that?" and that was the end of my DIY drycleaning, LOL!

valzone - oh my... you know it's bad if you have people mentioning it!

someone at my work said the bag for it is rather small. not big enough for long curtains.

now i'm 2nd guessing the whole idea. :)

I use Dry Cleaner's Secret. No bag needed. I have not noticed any strong chemical odor. I have used Dryell, but didn't like the bag.

Funny blondiel - I just found this site and wondered if a bag was needed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dry Cleaner's Secret

I've used Dryell with pretty good results, but I think you're worrying too much about cleaning your drapes. I would think you could afford to dry clean them every few years. If they're in your bedroom, how will the get dirty?

Also, I've never heard of machine washable pinch pleated drapes - those that are lined especially.

What kind of drapes have you had in the past?

I agree that you are focusing too much on the cleaning issue. Even if you have to take them down once a year to be cleaned, you are talking a normal sized window - might take 20 minutes to unhook the pinch pleats and take them down and remove the pins, then another 20 minutes to put them back up.

By having them professionally cleaned they will also be pressed and banded, so that the pleats will hang nicely. You won't have that with do-it-yourself dry cleaning, or with washable drapery. And the bedding you have is very rich in appearance - lightweight washable drapes won't look like they belong.

Is there some other issue about the cleaning that is concerning you?

recently got married and just finished up building our house. 24 and finally out of mom and dad's so i never had to worry about all this housey stuff.

i called around this morning to check prices for dry cleaning and didn't mind the price but they were telling me i'd have to wait a 2-3 weeks to get them back. I just think it sounds like a pain to have to take them somewhere. I'll also add i live out in the middle of nowhere and the dry cleaners aren't close.

I was trying my best to find something that looked nice would work with the bedding without needing dry cleaned. So far i haven't been successful.

I was just curious if anyone else used the product and found that it worked.

I will say i never gave it a thought about the possiblity of wrinking with 'do it yourself'. Never been exposed to any of this. I'm learning. :) I guess the part that got to me when i called was the idea of having to wait weeks to get it them back.

I've used Dry Cleaner's Secret fairly regularly. It works well but there's one thing you absolutely have to do: As soon as the cycle is done, remove the item(s) and hang them up somewhere where they will get decent air circulation. Gently shake them out a little, too. This helps with the chemical smell and also helps with the wrinkling concern.

Unless you smoke or live in somewhere really filthy (my window treatments got SO dirty in Chicago!!) or smelly (downwind from a pig farm?) you shouldn't need to dry-clean your drapes more than once every few years. Vacuum them from time to time to remove dust, and if they're a napped fabric like velvet or chenille use a lint brush or lint roller to remove lint or fuzz not removed by the vacuuming. If they start looking a little limp, spray them lightly with fabric sizing (in the laundry detergent aisle). If you smoke, you'll need to have them cleaned to remove the nicotine residue which will discolor them and can damage some fabrics.

I also got the strong chemical/perfumey smell with Dryel - like I used it once and Freecycled the rest of the package. Dry Cleaner's Secret isn't so bad but I still had to air my dress out in the unused spare bedroom for a couple of days before I could wear it. I still had to iron it, too. It's not a substitute for dry cleaning to remove dirt, sweat (sweat will rot fabrics), or stains, it's just a "freshener" for between cleanings, since most dry-clean items can take multiple wearings if they're aired out.

FWIW, I have hand-washed drapes in the bathtub - lukewarm water, mild handwashing dish detergent, hang dry - but they were freebies so I wasn't out anything if it didn't work. I didn't have the money to take them to the dry cleaners, and they reeked of smoke, so I went for it. They were polyester blackout/thermal drapes, the kind with the foamy stuff sprayed on the back of the fabric.

valzone5, thanks for the link. I could use the free sample. I am concerned about the chemical odor discussed.
Now I am wondering if I am smelly at work. LOL I usually hang things in the extra bath for a couple of days before wearing, so maybe that takes removes the odor.

sheesharee, your bedding is very pretty and lined drapery would look really nice. If you vacuum your window treatment on a regular basis, you shouldn't have to get them cleaned. If you are concerned about odor from the house, you could always air them for a day or so. I have never had drapery cleaned. The cleaners will probably add a per pleat price, so it could be rather expensive, but they shouln't need to be dry cleaned often.