Due to the extreme UV index that is experienced in New Zealand and Australia, it is recommended that extra precautions are taken when selecting your furnishing fabrics. All sSekers fabrics are tested and exceed the minimum standard required for colour fastness to light. All fabrics, regardless of dyes used, may deteriorate under direct sunlight or reflected Ultra Violet rays.

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To help care for your fabric, we recommend the following tips which may help prolong the life of curtains:

  • Curtains should be hung at least 10cm from the glass to enable air to circulate. This assists in preventing mildew, and reduces heat build-up, both of which can adversely affect your fabric.

  • Regular dusting and vacuuming should be undertaken; however, frequent laundering is not usually required. When vacuuming, always use an appropriate attachment.

  • Should washing be required, always refer to your fabric’s care code, as some fabrics require specific washing instructions.

  • Before washing, remove hooks, rings & trims. Always exercise caution by test cleaning on non-exposed surface. Avoid excessive rubbing and abrasion.

  • A superior quality lining is always recommended. Curtain linings offer an added layer of protection between the window and the curtain fabric. Depending on the situation, there are many different linings available, e.g. thermal linings for added insulation, blockout linings for light control, triple weave lining for easy washing. Sekers recommend Filigree Linings as they are rated to UPF 50+ and offer a 3-year warranty. They also offer a range of Fire Retardant and silicone treated linings especially suited to commercial applications.

  • If the sun is directly reflecting on the fabric behind a glass window, consider using a quality sun filter sheer where possible.

  • Leading edges of the curtains (those facing the windows) are particularly vulnerable to sunlight degradation. To help minimize this effect, it is recommended that curtains be rotated periodically, i.e. the left-hand curtain swapped to the right-hand position.

  • Ensure sufficient ‘stack back’ is achieved to minimise direct sunlight effects and draw the curtains back from the windows during the day. This is particularly important during the Summer months, when the sunlight is strongest. Although closing the curtains will help keep the interior cooler, it is highly destructive to decorative and ordinary lined fabrics. Temperatures between the glass and curtain or blind can become extreme, causing to fabrics becoming fragile which can lead to tearing and disintegration.

  • For upholstered items, protect furniture from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate reversible cushions regularly.

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All Sekers fabrics come with a recommended care label. Please read carefully and adhere to the instructions.

CURTAINS

CARE LABEL 1

For use on velvet & silk fabrics

Gently vacuum regularly with appropriate attachment. Do not wash. Do not iron. Dry clean only P 50 Possible shrinkage 3%

CARE LABEL 2

For use on viscose/acetate and other fabrics which may shrink, such as bulky cottons

Gently vacuum regularly with appropriate attachment. Do not wash. Use warm iron. Dry clean only P 50 Possible shrinkage 3%

CARE LABEL 3

For use on printed or dyed cotton and linen fabrics not pigment dyed

Washing: Warm hand wash. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry. Drip dry in the shade. For best results hang curtains by their hooks to dry immediately. Use warm iron lengthways. Dry cleanable P 50. Possible shrinkage 3%.

CARE LABEL 3A

For use on pigment or solid coloured pigment cotton & linen fabrics

Warm hand wash. Do not rub or wring. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry. Drip dry in the shade. For best results hang curtains by their hooks to dry immediately. Use warm iron lengthways. Do not dry clean. Possible shrinkage 3%

CARE LABEL 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 immediately. Warm iron under dry cloth. Do not dry clean. Possible shrinkage 3%.

CARE LABEL 4

For use on polyester/cotton, polyester mixture & polyester fabrics, woven or knitted

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

CARE LABEL 5

For use on acrylic and modacrylic fabrics

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

CARE LABEL 6W

For use on acrylic foam backed fabrics and flock coated fabrics of both man-made fibres and cotton

Washing: Remove hooks, rings and trims before cleaning. Curtains are heavy when wet. Professional wet cleaning recommended. DO NOT CLEAN IN DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINE. Hand wash in cool-to-warm (Max 40o C). 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 clothes line. Do not iron/press coated side. Warm iron/press on fabric side only. Possible shrinkage 3% Drycleaning: DO NOT DRYCLEAN

CARE LABEL 7

For use on flock type fabrics such as plush velvets

Warm hand wash. Do not bleach. Do not rub or wring. Do not tumble dry. Drip dry in shade. Cool iron on reverse side of the fabric. Do not steam. Do not dry clean X. Possible shrinkage 3%.

CARE LABEL 10

For use on pigment dyed fabrics which cannot be washed

Do not wash. Dry clean only P 30. Warm iron. Possible shrinkage 3%.

CARE LABEL 11

For use on silicone backed fabrics which are machine washable

Washing: Curtains are heavy when wet. Fabric is tested for 5 wash cycles in a domestic washing machine in cool to warm water (max 40o C). 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 clothes lines. Do not iron/press coated sides. Warm iron/press on fabric side only. Possible shrinkage 3%. Drycleaning: DO NOT DRYCLEAN

UPHOLSTERY

CARE LABEL 1U

For use on pile fabrics

CLEANING: Do not remove cushion covers for separate cleaning or washing, even though they may have zippers. Shampoo clean using upholstery shampoo. Do not use dishwashing or laundry detergents. Do not wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Clean with hot water extraction machine (HOT). Professional cleaning recommended. Use only upholstery detergent. Do not wet filling. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away from heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use OR Clean using on-site dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with solvent. Exhaust solvent outside building. Allow to dry before re-use. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Apply preparatory cleaning agents strictly according to instructions to remove the residue of the spill. Do not saturate the fabric or interior with water or other cleaning. Liquids. May be spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent.

 CARE LABEL 3U

For use on non-pile fabrics

 CLEANING: Do not remove cushion covers for separate cleaning or washing. Even though they may have zippers. Shampoo clean using upholstery shampoo. Do not use dishwashing or laundry detergent. Do not wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Clean using on-site dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with solvent. Exhaust solvent outside building. Allow to dry before re-use. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Apply proprietary cleaning agents strictly according to instructions to remove the residue of the spill. Do not saturate the fabric or interior with water or other cleaning liquids. May be spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent.

UPHOLSTERY CARE LABEL 10U

For use on covers that are dry cleanable

CLEANING: May be shampoo cleaned using upholstery shampoo. Do not wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Gently vacuum to restore pile in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. Do not iron. Do not steam finish. Dry Cleanable (P) 60. OR Do not wash. Clean with hot water extraction machine (HOT). Professional cleaning recommended. Use only upholstery detergent. Do not wet filling. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. Do not iron. Do not steam finish. OR Clean with an on-site dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with solvent. Exhaust solvent vapour outside building. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. Do not iron. Do not steam finish. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Apply proprietary cleaning agents strictly according to instructions to remove the residue of the spill. Do not saturate the fabric or interior with water or other cleaning liquids. May be spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent.

 

For further information, please refer to the WCAA website.