Spring Cleaning Time: Curtains & Draperies

Spring cleaning: it can sound overwhelming, but as far as the curtains and draperies go, it doesn't have to be that bad. I have some easy tips.

1. The biggest problem with curtains is dust. Use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum and work from top to bottom to carefully remove the dust.

2. If you feel like your curtains need some freshening, take them down from the window. Toss them in the dryer with a dryer sheet, and a tennis ball. Then turn it on air for twenty minutes. It will dust and freshen in one quick step.

3. When you pull the curtains out of the dryer, hang them immediately. This way you won't have to worry about pressing them either.

4. If you don't feel like ironing new cotton curtains, hang them up and spritz them with some water. The weight from the water will smooth the fabric as it dries.

5. Now, if you're just looking for an update for your curtains this spring, try changing the tie backs. Forget the matching fabric, and try some cording, tassels or some nice ribbon. To update plain cotton curtains, attach some ribbon near the hem with some iron fusible tape!

Deceptive Decor

If you think high end accents like tassels and finials aren't in your budget, think again. I can show you how to get the look at a fraction of the cost.

1. Those great finials that top everything from lamps to clocks can be made from wooden elements that you can find in a craft store. An egg cup glued to a round knob and then painted gives you the look for pennies.

2. Those little knobs also make great feet for home accents. Add them to boxes, lamps or frames for an instant upgrade.

3. Want a bigger impact? Choose bigger accents, large feet and finials can be fashioned from wooden porch post tops! Love the look of tassels? Try making them yourself for a fraction of the cost. Buy fringe by the yard. At a fabric store, make a loop from the cording and then wrap the trim around the hang cord until you're happy with the thickness. Catch the end of the trim with a couple of stitches and you're done. For a more whimsical tassel, paint a wooden finial from the craft store and choose a multicolored double thick trim. Wrap it around a wooden finial and secure it with hot glue. A little hole drilled in the top of the finial is a perfect spot for a ribbon hanger. Want a bigger impact? Choose bigger accents, large feet and finials can be fashioned from wooden porch post tops! Love the look of tassels? Try making them yourself for a fraction of the cost. Buy fringe by the yard. At a fabric store, make a loop from the cording and then wrap the trim around the hang cord until you're happy with the thickness. Catch the end of the trim with a couple of stitches and you're done. For a more whimsical tassel, paint a wooden finial from the craft store and choose a multicolored double thick trim. Wrap it around a wooden finial and secure it with hot glue. A little hole drilled in the top of the finial is a perfect spot for a ribbon hanger. Want a bigger impact? Choose bigger accents, large feet and finials can be fashioned from wooden porch post tops! Love the look of tassels? Try making them yourself for a fraction of the cost. Buy fringe by the yard. At a fabric store, make a loop from the cording and then wrap the trim around the hang cord until you're happy with the thickness. Catch the end of the trim with a couple of stitches and you're done. For a more whimsical tassel, paint a wooden finial from the craft store and choose a multicolored double thick trim. Wrap it around a wooden finial and secure it with hot glue. A little hole drilled in the top of the finial is a perfect spot for a ribbon hanger.