Hanging and Drying Silhouette Shades

There are several methods for hanging Silhouettes to dry (if you clean them at a shop location and aren’t rehanging them in the window immediately—or cleaning them in the window using the injection/extraction method).

The simplest hanger is simply several cord loops (1.8mm or thicker cord) hooked securely between the inside of the end caps and the fabric.  Note the inside angle of the cord loops, as well, to minimize the risk of them falling.  Be sure the loops are totally inside the end caps all the way around.

  Wall brackets— either Silhouette brackets or the thin shelf brackets sold at some home stores also work as wall mounting.

   A couple of points to remember when drying Silhouettes.  Wider shades are more prone to puckering of the glue lines if they aren’t hung level so that they hang straight.  Hanging them in an open position (when the fabric is still relaxed/warm from cleaning) also puts more stress on the glue lines and contributes to puckering.   Tilting the shade so that it is nearly flat allows air to move while minimizing the stress on the glue lines in the face of the sheer fabric. 

   Using a vacuum with a Shade Brite head, or drapery head for a PBIII, to suck out the water while the shade is hanging flat both reduces the water weight in the shade and speeds up drying significantly.  In a wet shade left to dry slowly in the open position, it isn't unusual to discover the formation of parallel wicking lines in the sheer on either side of the glue lines, as water and anything in it wicks into the fabric vane, and is left behind as white, or tan lines as it dries.

   Carefully blowing excess water out of the sheer fabric faces also speeds drying (Caution: Too much air pressure can tear out a fabric vane, etc.).  Combined with good air movement, faster drying conditions also minimize the chance you’ll ever see wicking lines.

   Inspect and blow out any remaining bug debris, etc. before rolling up dry shades.

 Silhouette ling removal  BCbiz Image  If fuzzies from lint are present from valance fabrics or other sources, a SOFT toothbrush taped onto or inserted into a wand can be used to carefully "sweep" the lint into balls that will blow out or rake it out the ends.  The Camily Wand also is another great tool for reaching bug parts, or other debris, in the middle of a shade if they can't be shaken or blown out.