One of the most important things to remember with caring for window treatments is to never wash your drapery by hand. Yes, this includes using a washing machine or even using mild soap and water. You can carefully and lightly vacuum your drapery using the brush attachment of your vacuum, but do remember to be gentle.
There is no current industry standard as to how often drapery should be cleaned, but The Clean Living Company recommends vacuuming at least twice a year or as needed based on the traffic patterns in your home. For a deeper clean, you should always trust your fine window treatments to qualified professionals.