How Much Does It Cost to Have My Drapery or Curtains Cleaned?

Written by: Ashley Smith

Ashley is an accomplished writer with a B.A. in journalism from the University of NH. She reports on major developments across business, technology, and the professional cleaning industry.

Reviewed by: Karen Lawes Maguire

Karen is the founder and CEO of CleanerMatch.com, a leading cleaning industry website. With 10+ years experience, she's an expert on new cleaning technologies, regulations, and best practices.

Last Updated: Sept 14th, 2023

Table of Contents

1. Curtain and Drape Cleaning Costs
2. Cleaning Methods and Frequency
3. Drapery Cleaning Cost Examples
4. Free Curtain Cleaning Estimates

Drapes and curtains, like everything else in your home, get dirty over time. Periodic cleanings keep your home free from dust and allergens, and they preserve the life of your curtains.

If the drapes are dry-clean only or you’re worried about damaging them, it’s probably best to hire a professional cleaning service. Some cleaning companies pick up the drapes to clean them off-site, while others clean the drapes right in your home or outside in a cleaning truck. You can have just some of the drapes cleaned or opt to do them all at once.

Curtain and Drape Cleaning Costs

Most cleaning services charge $70-$120 for each set of curtains or $5 to $10 per linear foot of curtain, but many offer discounts if you have multiple sets cleaned at once. The price varies based on the material of the drapes, the level of pleating, the type of cleaning and your geographic location.

Most cleaning companies have a minimum fee - they probably won’t come out for a single set of drapes. If you’re looking to have only one set cleaned, or to save money, consider bringing the drapes to a cleaning service yourself, rather than having a service come out.

Also, keep in mind that any stubborn stains will increase your total bill. Removing mold and mildew from curtains might cost you $150 per set. If you can help it, don’t wait until the drapes are visibly dirty to have them cleaned.

Cleaning Methods and Frequency

Some drapes can be hand washed, so you can tackle the job yourself if that’s the case. Read the label before washing and follow the directions. In most cases, the manufacturer will suggest washing the curtains in cold water and hanging them to dry. Many types of curtains will also require ironing.

The frequency of cleaning depends on your environmental conditions and cleanliness habits Do you live in a damp area? Do you smoke? Do you live in a high-smog area and often leave the windows open? For most people, every 2-3 years is enough. Regular vacuuming and spot cleaning can also reduce the frequency.

Drapery Cleaning Cost Examples

• A homeowner in Florida paid $80 to have the drapes in their living room and dining room cleaned. This included on-site cleaning of approximately 16 total drape panels.
• A person in New York paid $240 to have the drapes cleaned in their entire 3 bedroom house. This included cleaning around 45 total drape panels of various sizes.
• An office manager in Texas paid $150 to have the large custom drapes cleaned in their main conference room that spans two stories and has 10 floor-to-ceiling panels.
• A hotel manager paid $1200 to have all the drapes, sheers, and valances cleaned in 80 rooms at their facility. This totaled approximately 400 drape panels.
• A restaurant owner paid $500 to have the drapes and sheer curtains cleaned in their high-end restaurant dining room which had 30 foot ceilings and 20 total large panels.
• A church administrator paid $950 to have all of the auditorium and classroom drapes and sheers cleaned throughout their 15,000 sq ft facility, totaling around 150 panels.

The examples show the cost of drape cleaning can vary from $80 for a small home up to over $1000 for large commercial spaces, depending on the total number and size of panels.

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