Look After Your Curtains

Dry Cleaning versus Washing of Curtains

All processing of curtains provide an element of shrinkage. Washing curtains at home provides the most risk, as the facilities to rectify shrinkage are limited. Most curtain manufacturers will advise that as much as 5% to 8% can be lost from the length through cleaning. Barker Dry Cleaning can minimise that risk with the only 'Sandershade' curtain machine in use in Central Southern England.

Relining Curtains

Curtain linings subjected to the sun can deteriorate rapidly and the fabric can disintegrate during any process. We can advise you on the risk and the most effective form of processing to minimise damage. We can also provide a relining service. 

Cleaning & Alterations to Curtains

Barker Dry Cleaning offer a comprehensive curtain cleaning and alteration service. We offer a free estimating service without obligation, at your home or office, to take down, clean and re-hang your curtains. Alternatively you can bring your curtains to any of our stores. 

Remove Common Stains from Clothing

It doesn't matter what time of year it is, we all take pleasure in entertaining our relatives and friends to dinner. Yet food and drink can play havoc with fabrics such as table linen, upholstery and clothing.

Usually in the event of spillage of food or drink substances, stains can be prevented if items are washed immediately, but be sure to always follow the instructions on the fabric care labels and if unsure, contact Barker Group for professional laundry and fabric care services as soon as possible.

Enjoy a stain-free way of life by taking note of some simple advice, courtesy of the Barker Group;

1. Remove chocolate by firstly placing it in the fridge within a plastic bag to allow it to go hard. Once you have removed as much as possible, the stain can be sponged with warm soapy water, rinsed with cold water and then washed in a biological powder.
2. Treat red wine stains by absorbing as much of the liquid as possible, then rinsing overnight in lukewarm water with a well diluted mixture of washing powder. NB, This is not advisable for silk materials.
3. Lipstick stains can usually be removed from fabrics through the use of a suitable stain remover, although check the fabric care label first.
4. Coffee and tea can usually be removed if washed immediately with biological powder, before the drink has the opportunity to dry.
5. To remove grease and animal fat stains on fabrics that can be laundered, remove as much as possible and then wash in warm water. For fabrics that cannot be laundered, use a stain removal product.
6. Beer stains are easy to remove if treated with a biological powder as soon as possible.
7. Candle wax must be left to go hard, and then removed by sandwiching the fabric between several layers of kitchen roll or brown paper and then pressing a warm dry iron to melt out the remaining wax. A stain remover can be used to wash out the last traces, and then the item should be washed normally.
8. Curry stains are particularly difficult to be removed, and should only be attempted by a specialist laundry company.
9. Finally, if anyone should fall ill through over-indulgence or otherwise, remove vomit from fabrics by running the area under the cold tap, then treat by immersing it in a solution of biological detergent, then wash normally.

How To Care and Store Your Fine Linen

Regular and careful laundering of linen is essential to the maintenance of its life and colour. Never store used linen. Never store starched linen. The starch will discolour turning your linen yellow.

Always keep linen in well ventilated cupboards, covering the shelves with acid free tissue paper. Barker Laundry return your freshly laundered linen packed with acid free tissue and you could make use of this, or obtain it from a good stationary store.

Look After Your Skiwear

Take note of these few hints, they will help to prolong the life and quality of your purchase.

Read the care label. If the item is washable take care not to exceed the temperature indicated and always dry at a low temperature, heat will contract the interlinings. Likewise, dry damp ski wear away from direct heat.

The proofing. As a rule, synthetic fabrics retain their proofing and cottons do not. Washing cotton renders it absorbent, however in the dry cleaning process it is possible to reproof fabric.

Deal with stains quickly. Deal with stained clothing as quickly as possible - stains left unattended develop and damage the fabric. Never store stained skiwear away for the next season.

Never rub at stains. Blot with a white absorbent paper towel, one piece in front of the stain and one behind.

Wool Stains. Rubbing wool causes pile damage, only rectifiable by shaving the surface.

Hard to remove stains. However well you wash or dry clean skiwear it is not usually possible to remove stains on the seat caused by the T Bar and Button lifts. The friction of the lift forces the stain to the core of the fabric.

Repairing damage. If a small swatch of fabric is supplied with your skiwear make sure to keep it, even the worst damage can be repaired if a matching fabric is supplied.


Barkergroup are here to help

Remember that zips can be replaced, tears can be mended and fabrics can be reproofed - all without drama. Barker's expertise is here for your convenience.

How To Care For Your Dry Cleaning

Hang clothing outside the wardrobe for at least two hours before putting away.

Wardrobes should ideally have a free flow of air through them - louver doors, ventilation ducts, etc.

Cover the shoulders of clothing in the wardrobe with Barker shoulder covers supplied with all finished dry cleaning cover to prevent dust - do not leave in the wardrobe completely covered - the air cannot circulate.

Deal with stained clothing as quickly as possible - stains left unattended develop and cause damage to the fabric.