After a house fire, a flood or a burst pipe, it’s easy to assume the curtains, bedding and rugs are a write-off. Often they’re not. Dr Drapes and the restoration team at Master Dry Cleaners clean and restore fire, smoke and water damaged soft furnishings and clothing, so more of your home comes back to you.
We handle insurance restoration work for homeowners, insurers and builders. One team looks after the fabrics in your home, from the lounge room drapes to the good suit in the wardrobe.
Smoke travels well beyond the room where a fire starts. Soot and smoke residue cling to fabric fibres, leave a stubborn smell and can discolour fabric if they’re left too long. Curtains and drapes often cop the worst of it, because they hang right in the path of the smoke.
We take affected curtains and blinds down, then clean and deodorise them to remove the soot and smoke odour rather than mask it. Clothing, bedding and cushions are restored the same way in the Master Dry Cleaners plant.
Wet fabric needs attention fast. Mould can take hold in damp curtains, bedding and rugs within a day or two, and floodwater often carries dirt and contaminants. Heat and humidity after a fire or flood also weaken fabric and shift colours, so the sooner we see it, the more we can usually save.
We assess each item, clean and treat it, and deal with water staining and mould wherever the fabric can be saved. If something can’t be saved, we’ll tell you straight, so you and your insurer know where you stand.
Still living in the house while repairs happen? We can supply temporary block-out curtains for a small fee while yours are with us.
Good curtains, rugs and bedding are expensive to replace, and some things, like a christening gown or a family quilt, can’t be replaced at all. Where an item can be restored, it often costs less than replacing it, and you keep the pieces you chose.
“Just a quick note to say ‘Thank You’ so much for your recent support, during our house fire. Your prompt attention was fantastic! Thanks for dry cleaning all our bedding, drapes, cushions and rugs.”
— J & T Handcock, Mt Evelyn
We restore soft furnishings and clothing on insurance claims across Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat. To refer a claim or talk through a job, call 1300 652 866 or email sales@drdrapes.com.au.
Can smoke-damaged curtains be cleaned? Often, yes. Soot and smoke odour can usually be removed with professional dry cleaning, as long as the fabric hasn’t been scorched or weakened. We check every piece before we start.
Will my insurance cover it? That depends on your policy, so check with your insurer or loss adjuster first. Restoring damaged items is often part of a contents claim, and we’re happy to speak with them directly.
What should I do with wet curtains and bedding? Don’t leave them bunched up or bagged while they’re wet, because that’s when mould takes hold. Hang them somewhere airy if it’s safe to, then call us.
Call 1300 652 866 as soon as you can. The sooner smoke-affected or damp fabric is dealt with, the better the result. You can also email photos of the damage to sales@drdrapes.com.au, along with your claim number if you have one.
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1300 652 866