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Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:19 pm

1984 Westy 19L WBXR Manual

Thought I might clean the curtains (Westy is new to me since July 2011), perhaps drop them at the local dry cleaners. Anyone used this method? Or hand washed them at home? Or in the home washer? I imagine that mine have not been cleaned, ever. They are not dirty, just feel a bit "tired/grimy". Please advise and thank you.

Skip

Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:29 pm

i have 87 westy, i just threw mine in the washer, came out really nice and clean.

Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:32 pm

Washing machine on gentle cycle using Woolite... cleaned up nicely.

Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:44 pm

Thank you. Two votes for the home washing machine, gentle cycle.

By the way, I did not do a conversion to a 19L engine (weight considerations). I meant to type "1.9L", original engine...but soon to be "looked at" by a machine shop.

Skip

Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:49 pm

kamzcab86 wrote: Washing machine on gentle cycle using Woolite... cleaned up nicely.

same here, infact over half of my interior got done this way.

Fri Dec 30, 2011 9:25 pm

Don't forget your fabric softener. 8)

Fri Dec 30, 2011 10:00 pm

Agree with comments above. They turn out really nice. YOu can tumble dry them on low heat too.

Sat Dec 31, 2011 12:39 am

I'd carefully handwash with woolite or dash dish soap. They may look okay, but the sun can weaken the weave and you'll find out after machine washing.

I'd then carefully rinse and lay out to dry. You can then iron them with a very low setting.

Why use softener and subject them to yet another chemical?

... just a few thoughts!

Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:38 am

Wife washed mine, all the stains-?- etc came out and look great. A bit of help= as u remove and in a corner not seen take a perm marker pen an number all curtains (matched the ties too),,makes re-install a snap, no looking/matching, remember where u start and go in a circle.

Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:34 pm

Little realized fact about fabric and laundry. It's actual dirt that starts the rotting process. My Westy's were original, hadn't been done in decades and I did gentle wash full cycle with some soap, then I put them thru another complete cycle without soap so that they get rinsed well. Soap residue grabs dirt. Usually after a complete cycle they can be hung as they only need some air drying. Mine came out looking and feeling like new. I was amazed.

My point is rinsing well is very important to get rid of soap residue as it grabs the dirt and then time and sun do the dirty deed of rotting. I made all new curtains for the Riviera. Will probably do a yearly laundry on them unless otherwise needed.

Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:54 pm

I washed mine 5 times when I got the Thingamajigger.

Gentle cycle.

Line dried.

May be faded from sun, but at least they are not as crunchy as when I got them :shock: Van smells better too.

The one behind the stove actually stood up by itself.

Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:03 pm

:lol: stand up alone laundry is a sure sign needs cleaning. Wasn't there an old expression that you didn't wash (? your underwear) until it stood up on the floor after hitting the wall? something like that :wink:

Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:16 pm

OK, I'll wash gentle cycle. I like the wash once with soap, then again without soap. I'll let you know how it goes.

Won't be for awhile as next on the list are fuel lines, rear heater T's, etc., including an engine drop and a trip to an auto machine shop to have a look at my 65 compression on the two front cylinders.

Hopefully these issues will all come out ..."in the wash".

Skip
Elgin, IL
84 Westy 1.9L Manual

Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:48 pm

go one step further and take the covers off your mattresses. gentle wash, air dry. So much better.

Mark

Sat Dec 31, 2011 11:47 pm

Dirt can't hide from intensified Tide.

After you get the curtains, rear rug & matress cover all squeaky clean, blow some pimp oil inside of the Van--

She'll be ready for the long ride---