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How to Care for Your Stage Drapes

Reveal Knowledge Base 10 min read

 

Whether you’re managing a school hall, professional venue, or performance space, your stage drapes play a bigger role than you think. They set the tone, support transitions, and — most importantly — contribute to your safety compliance. But they don’t last forever. This guide walks you through practical care tips, when to retreat or replace, and how to avoid common (and costly) mistakes.

When the Curtain Shows Its Age

Don’t worry, it happens.

 

Picture this: You’re prepping for an opening night. The lights are focused, the sound check’s clean — and then you notice it. Your once-lush house curtain is looking a bit… tired. Faded. A musty smell. And that tide mark? Not part of the design.

Drapes don’t shout when they’re overdue for attention. But they do show it — in wear, colour loss, safety risk, and even compliance failure.

Talk to Our Team Download our Drapes Guide

Give Them a Longer Life

Smart care habits that keep your drapes show-ready and safe

 

  • Regular checks – Look for small tears, loose seams, or signs of wear before they become big problems.

  • Keep them clean – Dust and dirt not only dull the look but can also compromise fire-retardant treatments.

  • Store with care – Fold or roll drapes properly and avoid damp or dusty storage areas.

  • Handle gently – Train crew or students to avoid tugging, dragging, or stepping on drapes.

  • Schedule inspections – Annual professional checks and re-treatments keep your drapes compliant and extend their usable life.

With a little extra attention, your drapes will look better, last longer, and save you money in the long run.

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Tailored Tips by Fabric Type

Because not all drapes are built the same

Wool, Velvet, Velour, Velveteen & Turo:

  • Dry clean only — water can cause up to 3% shrinkage.

  • Remove all hardware (hooks, rings, trims) before cleaning.

  • Regular vacuuming or brushing will maintain the fabric’s look and performance.

Filled Cloth, Sharkstooth, Canvas, Calico:

  • Be gentle — these materials can be delicate when stretched or caught.

  • Reapply flame retardant after painting, dyeing, or any wet cleaning.

  • Avoid sharp edges or tight rigging that could cause tearing.

Fire Safety Isn’t Optional

Understanding flame retardancy — and when to re-treat

Flame-retardant fabric isn’t forever — especially if it’s non-durable (NDFR). Many standard drapes in Australia are chemically treated to meet AS1530 compliance but will lose effectiveness after exposure to water, moisture, or time.

🚨 Wet curtains = compromised flame resistance = potential safety violation.

When in doubt, get them tested. If your drapes haven’t been retreated in a few years — or if you’ve cleaned them recently — it’s time to check. TSA can inspect and retreat your drapes to ensure ongoing compliance and peace of mind.

How to Know It’s Time to Replace

No set expiry date — just clear warning signs

 

There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for stage drapes. It depends on how often they’re used, how they’re stored, and how well they’ve been maintained.

Look out for:

  • Frayed seams or torn panels

  • Discolouration or fading (especially on stage-facing sides)

  • Sagging pleats or loss of fullness

  • Staining from moisture or ‘salt tide’ marks (a telltale sign of fire treatment failure)

  • A failed fire compliance test

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The Reveal Approach

Custom reveals with elegant stage control

At Reveal, we supply and manufacture drapes using materials that meet Australian standards and suit a wide range of applications — from full IFR velvets to lightweight filled cloth and specialty fabrics like green screens and projection surfaces.

We also offer retreatment services and provide documentation to ensure your venue remains compliant. Not sure what type of drape you have? Our team can help you identify the fabric and determine the next best step.

Reveal Knowledge Base

The Reveal Knowledge Base is your go-to hub for industry tips, tricks, and insights into theatre drapes and stage soft goods. From choosing the right fabrics to keeping your drapes safe and compliant, our articles are designed to demystify the process and give you practical advice you can put to use right away. Whether you’re managing a venue, running a production, or just curious about stagecraft, this is the place to learn from our team’s experience.

Ready to Take Centre Stage?

 

Let’s find the perfect curtain system for your next production

Talk to our Team download our Drapes Maintenance Guide