Dry cleaned curtains ruined

Scarum

I took my 10 year old large patio curtains to a well known dry-cleaners. When they were returned to me I discovered the lining had disolved in many areas.

The dry cleaners told me they followed the care label on the curtains and that the problem was a manufacturers fault.

The manufacturer say that curtains over 8 years can become delicate due to age and dry cleaning is not advisable. The care label does not state this.

I was not aware at all that curtains of this age could lead to this problem (or I would not have paid for it to have been done.)

So my question is, who is to blame? Is the fact of dry cleaning curtains over a certain age is not advisable "in the public knowledge"? Am I just plain niave or can I make a small claim against one of these parties?

maninthestreet

The lining can be replaced, surely, although it will cost you to pay someone to do it.

Dennis99

Are they in sunny aspect? That will rot linings quicker than anything.
Did you sign any kind of disclaimer? Did you notice anything when you took them down?
They still have a duty of care to inspect and advise before going ahead.
They clean them by putting them in a large washing machine with dry cleaning fluid instead of Persil so the tumbling action would ´finish off´ already weakened fabric.

poppyolivia

I think its your responsibilty...The people at the dry cleaners wouldn't have known how old they were (unless you told them??) even then their job is to clean the curtains as instructed on the label...sounds like they did their job right and it was the age of the curtains that destroyed the lining.

I don't think you will get far claiming anything from anyone...sorry xx

Scarum

I signed nothing and was not warned by the drycleaners.

Yes, I suppose the lining can be replaced but who's going to do it and pay for it?

Would I had the curtains drycleaned if I had known this could have happened? These are big curtains and £32 for the drycleaning is not to be sniffed at.

maninthestreet

The drycleaners have done the job you asked them to do. Unless you can prove that they were negligent, you must foot the bill for replacing the linings.

Debt_Free_Chick

As others have suggested, I rather suspect this is a simple case of wear and tear. No-one is to blame .... it "just is". Sorry