Most people think of dry cleaning as something you do with suits and shirts. What surprises many of our customers at Burlingtons and what the audit of our own website recently confirmed we had not written about clearly enough is that we clean a great deal more than clothing.
Rugs brought in from Holland Park drawing rooms. Curtains taken down from Victorian sash windows in Kensington. Sofa covers from Marylebone apartments. Blankets and mattress toppers from family homes across W8 and W1. These are items that rarely get cleaned professionally, often because people do not realise a dry cleaner can handle them, or because they assume it will be complicated or expensive.
It is neither. And in a city like London, where damp winters, central heating, urban dust and the general density of city living mean that household textiles accumulate dirt, allergens and odour far faster than in less urban environments, professional household dry cleaning is one of the most practically useful services we offer.
This guide covers every household item we clean at our Kensington and Marylebone branches, how the process works, what it costs and why after 20 years of doing this on Kensington Church Street and Marylebone Lane we believe professional cleaning is nearly always worth it for quality household textiles.
Why Household Textiles Need Professional Cleaning
There is a significant difference between a household textile looking clean and actually being clean. A rug that has been vacuumed weekly for two years may look perfectly presentable and still be harboring a significant accumulation of dust mite allergens, pet dander, bacteria and deeply embedded particulate matter that a vacuum cleaner cannot reach. Curtains that have hung in a London flat all winter may appear clean while having absorbed months of cooking fumes, cigarette smoke from open windows, diesel particulates from the street and the particular grey dust that accumulates in any London property regardless of how carefully it is maintained.
London’s environment accelerates this accumulation more than most cities. The Underground system generates a specific type of fine metallic particulate that settles throughout the city. Construction dust from the constant development across Kensington, Marylebone and the wider central London area is pervasive. Damp autumn and winter weather encourages mould spores to develop in textiles that are not properly dried and cleaned seasonally.
Beyond hygiene, there is the question of longevity. Fine rugs, quality curtains, cashmere blankets and designer sofa covers represent real investment. Professional cleaning maintains the fibre structure, colour and appearance of these items in a way that home cleaning simply cannot and significantly extends their useful life.
Rugs – Our Most Popular Household Cleaning Service
Rug cleaning is the household cleaning request we receive most frequently at both our Kensington and Marylebone branches. This is not surprising. Kensington and Marylebone homes tend to feature quality rugs Persian, Turkish, antique, contemporary designer, pure wool, silk blend on wooden or stone floors. These rugs receive daily foot traffic, occasional spills, pet use and the general accumulation of London dust and grime that settles on every horizontal surface.
The challenge with rug cleaning at home is that most rugs cannot safely go into a domestic washing machine either because they are too large, because the construction cannot tolerate machine agitation, or because the dyes are not colorfast enough to survive a machine wash without running. Steam cleaning at home can be effective for surface-level refresh but does not remove deeply embedded dirt and can over-wet the rug backing, leading to mould if not properly dried.
At Burlingtons we assess every rug individually before cleaning. The cleaning method depends on the fibre content wool, silk, cotton, synthetic or blended the construction hand-knotted, tufted, flatweave, shaggy the age and condition, and the nature of any specific soiling or staining. We never apply a one-size-fits-all approach to rug cleaning.
For pricing on rugs we ask customers to contact us directly as the cost depends on the size, fibre content and condition of each individual piece.
Call our Kensington branch on 020 7938 2988 or our Marylebone branch on 020 7935 6306 for a no-obligation estimate.
What to tell us when you call the approximate size of the rug, the material if you know it, whether there are any specific stains or areas of concern, and whether you need collection or can bring it in. We will give you an honest estimate before you commit to anything.
Curtains – London’s Most Overlooked Household Cleaning Task
If we asked most Londoners when they last had their curtains professionally cleaned, the answer would usually be never. This is one of the most overlooked household cleaning tasks in the city and also one of the most impactful for air quality, appearance and the longevity of the curtains themselves.
Curtains hang in a fixed position absorbing everything that passes through the air around them cooking smells, dust, pollution from open windows, cigarette smoke from outside, condensation from cold windows in winter. In a typical London property, curtains that have been in place for two or three years without cleaning will have absorbed a significant quantity of all of these. The fibres act as a filter, which is why drawing them traps dust and why cleaning them makes such a visible and olfactory difference to a room.
The practical challenge of cleaning curtains is that most people do not attempt it because taking them down, washing them at home which risks shrinkage and distortion of the heading tape and lining and rehanging them correctly is a significant undertaking. Many London properties also have high ceilings requiring stepladders and some skill to remove and rehang curtains safely.
At Burlingtons we handle all of this. We offer a take down and rehang service for customers who need it call us to discuss this before booking as it requires a visit to your property. We also accept curtains brought into either branch or collected by our driver. Curtain cleaning prices are given as estimates based on the size, fabric and lining of the curtains. Contact us for a quote.
For net curtains we clean from £4.99, making it one of our most accessible household services.
Specific things we ask customers to note before bringing or sending curtains the fabric content if labelled, whether the curtains are lined or interlined, any specific staining and the dimensions. Curtains with complex headings, delicate embroidery or antique fabrics are assessed individually and we will always advise honestly before proceeding.
Sofa Covers – Refreshing Your Living Room Without Replacing Your Furniture
Sofa covers and loose cushion covers that can be removed are one of the most satisfying household cleaning items we deal with because the before and after difference is so immediately obvious. A set of cream linen sofa covers that have gone grey-beige over two years of London living come back looking genuinely new. A dark velvet cover that has accumulated pet hair, dust and general use grime comes back restored to its original depth of colour.
We clean sofa covers from £15 standard and £18.75 for our ECO Friendly Gold Service. This covers most standard-sized sofa cover sets. For larger or more complex pieces sectional sofas, multiple cushion covers, oversized or structural pieces we price individually.
The practical consideration for sofa covers is that many cannot go into a domestic washing machine either because of size, because the fabric will shrink if washed in water at any temperature, or because the covers are dry clean only which is the case for a large proportion of quality upholstered furniture sold in London’s furniture retailers. Checking the care label on your sofa cover before attempting home washing is essential. If it says dry clean only, it means it.
At Burlingtons we clean sofa covers using the appropriate method for the specific fabric our Miele WetCare eco wet cleaning system for delicate or shrink-prone fabrics, and specialist dry cleaning solvents for items that cannot tolerate any water-based cleaning.
Blankets – Seasonal Cleaning That Most People Skip
Blanket cleaning is one of those seasonal tasks that most people intend to do and rarely actually complete. At the end of summer, winter blankets and throws that have been in use for months go back into the drawer or the vacuum storage bag unwashed, ready to emerge next autumn carrying everything they absorbed during the previous season.
The problem is that blankets particularly wool, cashmere and fine knit blankets are among the most difficult household textiles to clean at home correctly. Wool felts in a machine wash. Cashmere shrinks. Heavily constructed throws can distort when wet. Large blankets exceed the capacity of most domestic washing machines. And tumble drying anything other than hardy cotton or synthetic blankets causes exactly the heat damage and shrinkage that makes the blanket unwearable.
At Burlingtons we clean blankets from £18 standard and £25.90 for our ECO Friendly Gold Service. We use our Miele WetCare professional wet cleaning system for fine wool and cashmere blankets this is specifically designed for delicate natural fibres and produces results that home washing cannot match without the risk of felting or shrinkage.
The seasonal timing for blanket cleaning is straightforward. At the end of winter March to April bring your winter blankets and throws to us for cleaning before storing for summer. At the end of summer September bring them back for a fresh clean before they go back into regular use. Clean blankets stored in breathable cotton bags with cedar blocks are also far less attractive to clothes moths, which are a genuine ongoing problem in London’s older housing stock, particularly in Kensington and Marylebone.
Mattress Toppers – The Household Item Nobody Thinks to Clean
Mattress toppers sit at the intersection of two facts that most people prefer not to think about too directly. First, they are in intimate contact with the human body for seven to eight hours every night. Second, most people have never cleaned them professionally. At Burlingtons we clean mattress toppers from £26.50 standard and £37.10 for our ECO Friendly Gold Service.
A mattress topper absorbs sweat, skin cells, dust mites and allergens over months of use. Unlike sheets and duvet covers which most people wash regularly the topper underneath tends to be treated as semi-permanent and rarely removed. The result after a year of use is a significant accumulation of biological material that cannot be adequately addressed by airing alone.
Professional cleaning of a mattress topper removes these allergens, refreshes the fill material and restores the topper to a genuinely hygienic condition. For allergy sufferers and dust mite allergy is among the most common allergies in London annual or biannual professional cleaning of mattress toppers can make a measurable difference to sleep quality and respiratory comfort.
Duvets and Pillows – Cleaning What You Sleep Under Every Night
Most people wash their duvet covers regularly and their duvets almost never. A duvet in regular use absorbs significant quantities of sweat and skin cells over a year or more of nightly use, and domestic washing machines are usually not large enough to wash a double, king or super king duvet properly the duvet cannot circulate freely in the drum and the fill material does not get properly cleaned.
At Burlingtons we clean duvets from £30 standard and £42 for our ECO Friendly Gold Service. Pillow cleaning from £19.50. We have professional-grade machines with the drum capacity to clean large duvets properly, ensuring the fill material whether down, feather, synthetic or wool is fully refreshed rather than simply surface-cleaned.
We recommend professional duvet cleaning at least once a year. For allergy sufferers, twice a year is more appropriate. The most practical time to do this is at the seasonal change bring your winter duvet in when you switch to a lighter summer one, and vice versa.
Table Linen and Napkins – For Hospitality and Home Entertaining
Table linen that is used for formal dining particularly damask, linen, silk and fine cotton tablecloths and napkins requires careful professional cleaning to maintain the fabric’s appearance and the pressed finish that makes formal table settings look correct. We clean tablecloths from £16.50 and napkins from £5.
For Kensington and Marylebone residents who entertain formally, or for those running serviced apartments, small hotels or dining businesses in the area, professional table linen cleaning and pressing is available at both our branches. Contact us to discuss regular service arrangements for commercial quantities.
How Our Household Cleaning Collection Service Works
We collect household textiles from across Kensington W8, Marylebone W1U and all surrounding London postcodes as part of our standard free collection and delivery service. The process works as follows.
Call or book online to arrange a collection. Our driver collects the items from your home or property at the agreed time. We assess each item at our branch and contact you with a quote before proceeding for any item where the price is estimate-based rugs, curtains and large specialist items. For all fixed-price items such as blankets, duvets, sofa covers and table linen, we proceed on the basis of our published prices and return the items cleaned, pressed where appropriate, and packaged carefully within the agreed timeframe.
For large or bulky items particularly rugs and curtains please call us in advance to discuss the collection logistics and ensure our driver can accommodate the items appropriately.
Minimum order for free collection and delivery is £30.
Kensington: 020 7938 2988
Marylebone: 020 7935 6306
Email: service@burlingtons.london
Book online: burlingtonsdrycleaning.co.uk/your-order
Our ECO Friendly Gold Service for Household Textiles
All household textile cleaning at Burlingtons is available in our standard service or our ECO Friendly Gold Service at an additional 20 percent. The ECO Friendly Gold Service uses our Miele WetCare professional wet cleaning system an eco-friendly, water-based professional cleaning process using biodegradable specialist detergents with no harsh chemical solvents.
For fine household textiles in particular wool and cashmere blankets, silk curtains, fine linen, antique or heirloom rugs we recommend the ECO Friendly Gold Service. The Miele WetCare process is gentler on delicate fibres, better at preserving colour and texture over time, and kinder to the environment. For robust synthetic or cotton household items, the standard service delivers excellent results at lower cost.
Do you clean carpets as well as rugs?
We specialise in rug cleaning rather than fitted carpet cleaning. We clean rugs of all sizes, fibres and construction types at both our Kensington and Marylebone branches. For fitted carpet cleaning we recommend contacting a specialist carpet cleaning company. If you are unsure whether your item qualifies as a rug or carpet, call us and we will advise.
How do you price rug cleaning?
Rug cleaning is priced as an estimate based on the size, fibre content and condition of each individual rug. We do not have a standard per-item price for rugs because the variation between a small synthetic rug and a large hand-knotted Persian wool rug is too significant for a single price to be meaningful. Call us on 020 7938 2988 or 020 7935 6306 for a no-obligation estimate.
Can you collect large rugs and curtains from my home in Kensington?
Yes we offer collection of household items including rugs and curtains from across Kensington W8 and surrounding postcodes. For large or bulky items please call us in advance to discuss logistics and ensure we can accommodate the collection appropriately.
How often should curtains be professionally cleaned?
For curtains in a London property we recommend professional cleaning every one to two years. London’s urban environment means curtains accumulate pollution, dust and cooking residue faster than in less dense environments. Curtains in kitchens or near open windows facing busy streets may need cleaning annually.
Can you clean a dry clean only sofa cover?
Yes many quality sofa covers carry a dry clean only label and we handle these regularly at both our branches. We assess the fabric individually and use the appropriate cleaning method. Do not attempt to machine wash a dry clean only sofa cover the fabric may shrink, distort or bleed in a way that cannot be corrected.
How do I know if my rug can be professionally cleaned?
Almost all rugs can be professionally cleaned with the appropriate method for the specific fibre and construction. The exceptions are rugs in very poor structural condition where cleaning might accelerate deterioration. Bring your rug in or call us and we will assess it honestly before proceeding.
Do you offer regular household cleaning for serviced apartments and hotels?
Yes we work with residential properties, serviced apartments and small hospitality businesses in Kensington and Marylebone on a regular collection and return basis for household textiles including bed linen, table linen, blankets and sofa covers. Contact us to discuss your requirements and we will arrange an appropriate service schedule.
What is the difference between your standard and ECO Friendly Gold Service?
The ECO Friendly Gold Service uses our Miele WetCare professional wet cleaning system an environmentally friendly water-based process using specialist biodegradable detergents with no harsh solvents. It costs 20 percent more than the standard service and is particularly recommended for fine, delicate or natural fibre household textiles including wool blankets, silk curtains and fine linen. For robust cotton or synthetic items the standard service delivers excellent results.
How long does household dry cleaning take?
Standard turnaround for most household items is two to three working days from collection. For large or complex items such as heavily soiled rugs or curtains requiring take down and rehang we will give you a specific timeframe when you book. Same day and express services are available for items dropped in before 12pm call to confirm availability.
Book a Household Dry Cleaning Collection in London
If you have rugs, curtains, sofa covers, blankets, duvets or any other household textiles that need professional care, book a free collection from our Kensington or Marylebone branch. We collect across all of West and Central London and return everything cleaned, refreshed and carefully packaged.
