Plain Fabric

Simple and elegant, plain fabrics tend to feature one main colour with patterns and strips occasionally woven in. They can enhance features of the room without drawing attention and are available in a range of textures.

Printed Fabric

The designs on printed fabrics can differ tremendously from simple shapes to psychedelic patterns to striped colours. Typically, they’ll feature multiple colours so you have flexibility in your choice. This also brings a certain level of caution as it may mean that they clash more easily with your existing décor.

Decorative Fabric

Decorative relates to any fabric that has a design woven into the cloth. This could be florals, stripes, and circles in a range of textures and colours. The variety of choice that we have for decorative fabric is unmatched, it allows you to make a statement in your home and create a truly unique space.

Sheers and Voiles

Sheers and voiles are translucent and semi-transparent and often treated as decorative. They offer little privacy and let light through but can provide fantastic flair or depth to your existing curtains.

• Hang your curtain at least 10cm from the window. This allows air to circulate and assists in preventing mildew and heat build-up
• Dust regularly (and even vacuum, if needed)
• Avoid frequent laundering and, should washing be required, always refer to your fabric’s care code for instructions

Care Codes

Here are some guidelines for each care code:

Code #1 – For use on velvet & silk fabrics

Do not wash. Do not iron. Dry clean only P 50 Possible shrinkage 3%

Code #2 – For use on viscose/acetate and other fabrics which may shrink, such as bulky cottons.

Protect against sunlight with lining or other shading devices. Do not wash, Use warm iron. Dry clean only P 50 Possible shrinkage 3%

Code #3 – For use on printed or dyed cotton and linen fabrics not pigment dyed.

Warm hand wash only. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry. Drip dry in the shade without delay. For best results hang curtains by their hooks to dry. Use warm iron lengthways. Dry cleanable P 50. Possible shrinkage 3%.

Code #3M – For use on cotton with metallic print.

Warm hand wash in synthetic detergent which does not contain enzymes or perborate. Do not bleach. Do not soak. Do not rub or wring. Drip dry in the shade. For best results hang curtains by their hooks to dry. Warm iron under a dry cloth. Possible shrinkage 3%.

Code #4 – For use on polyester/cotton, polyester mixture & polyester fabrics, woven or knitted.

Warm hand wash only. Do not bleach. Do not rub or wring. Drip dry in shade. For best results hang curtains by their hooks to damp dry immediately. Use warm iron. Dry cleanable P 50. Possible shrinkage 3%.

Code #5 – For use on acrylic and modacrylic fabrics.

Warm hand wash. Do not bleach. Do not rub or wring. Do not tumble dry after washing. Drip dry in shade. For best results hang curtains by their hooks to damp dry and rehang immediately. Cool iron if required. Do not steam iron. Dry cleanable P 50. No steam pressing. Possible shrinkage 3%.

Code #6W – For use on acrylic foam-backed fabrics and flock coated fabrics of both man-made fibres and cotton.

Regular care will minimise the need for additional cleaning. Always exercising caution when spot cleaning. Test cleaning should be done on non-exposed surfaces. Avoid excessive rubbing and abrasion. Cleaning Washing: Possible shrinkage 3%. Professional wet cleaning recommended. DO NOT CLEAN IN DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINE! Hand wash in cool-to-warm (Max 40 oC). Mild detergents, such as wool mixes are recommended. Do not bleach, soak, rub or wring. Drip dry in shade. Do not tumble dry. Hang curtains by their hooks to avoid coated sides touching. Do not use pegs. Do not fold curtains over a clothes line. Do not iron/press coated side. Warm iron/press on fabric side only. Drycleaning: DO NOT DRYCLEAN.

Always remove hooks, rings, and trims and gently vacuum before cleaning, regardless of care code.

Eyelet Curtains

Metallic eyelets are usually teamed with a metal rod lending a modern, minimalistic look to your drapes. This treatment works well with plain fabrics in muted tones and is especially effective where other fixtures in the room are metallic.

It is also possible to coat the eyelets to match a colour in the fabric or to match other features in your room.

Tab Top Curtains

The tab top treatment gives drapes an informal feel, ideal for bedrooms. This style is seen at its best with light, simple fabrics, and in neutral colours or pastel shades which will provide contrast with the rod.

Tab top curtains are especially suitable for sheers or voiles, or where drapes will not be regularly pulled open and closed as tab tops are not the easiest drapes to pull across the rod.

Pencil Pleating

Pencil pleating is one of the most common treatments, using a greater width of fabric with evenly spaced narrow pleats.

This treatment is versatile, working well with prints, plains and most different textures. The finish is casual and cosy, perfect for the lounge or bedroom.

There are loose pencil pleats and tight pencil pleats, both of which create a full appearance.

French Pleating / Triple Pinch Pleat

French or Triple Pinch pleats are groups of triple pleats, spaced evenly along the curtain which create a formal heading, with the benefit of very neatly stacking to the side.

This style is ideal for a formal dining room or can be used for practical reasons where there is not much wall space beside the window.

Dutch Pleating / Double Pinch Pleat

Similar to the French style but with double pleats, this treatment has the benefits of French pleating but creates a style which balances casual with traditional, perfect for any room setting.

This style works equally well with prints but is seen at its best with textured plains.

New York Pleating / Inverted Pleat

This style, also known as inverted pleating, creates a simple, modern look which also requires less fabric than some other styles.

Plain fabrics or those with textured weaves are complemented best by this treatment, which also stacks efficiently when curtains are drawn back from the window.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds, with their unique folding and stacking operation, make simple and smart window treatments. They are also the practical choice when there is limited space either side of your windows for drapes.

Romans can be lined in the same way as drapes to provide block-out in bedrooms. The Roman treatment looks stunning with linens or neutral coloured canvas for a modern, airy appearance.

Every purchase from Colo Curtains comes with some hanging instructions with your drapes but if you need any help at all, get in touch. We’ll even install them for you!

Here are some tips to help you to maintain the colours of your curtains/blinds:

• Where the sun is directly reflecting on the fabric behind the glass, use a quality sun filter/sheer to protect against the chances of fading.
• A superior quality lining is always recommended. Ask us for recommendations if you’re not sure what to look for.
• Rotate your curtains periodically to minimise the effect of curtains that face the window i.e. the left-hand curtain swapped to the right-hand position.
• Draw the curtains during the day unless absolutely necessary. Particularly in summer.