Curtains not running freely

[picklepants]

Have just put up a new curtain rail (bent round bay window) and have got hooks that came with curtain rail and have put up new curtains but they don't run properly - it feels like they are getting caught on something but don't know what. Have had a good look and can't see any problems. Our old curtains on the old rail ran fine but had to replace rail as broke whilst decorating. Has anyone got any bright ideas on how I can help them to run properly? At the mo I have to stand on a chair to open the curtains and do it virtually hook by hook!! Is it just a matter of giving them time? And if so - for what???

[CSG2306]

Hi Picklepants,

A couple of ideas.

Firstly, take the curtain track off, spray a duster with silicone furniture polish and give the curtain track a good clean. Then run a couple of hooks on their own without the curtain. If they move freely then attach the track on to the brackets. Hang one curtain at a time, checking that it moves freely.

That should solve your problem.

Regards

[Champagne]

Hi pickle. Bay windows are a nightmare for curtain poles and racks. Assuming that you bought a rack that you've had to cut down to size yourself, then the mechanism may be jamming. CSG is right in that you'll need to take it down again to examine. See if the hooks run freely when it's off the wall. If so, then you'll know it's the brackets fixed into the wall that are the problem.

Have you considered those 'self-bending' poles as an alternative? They're longer lasting and take more curtain weight which is ideal for big bay windows. There are 2 types; 1) 'self-bending' curtain poles (not sure how easy the hooks would run around the bend though) or; 2) made-to-measure curtain poles which are a bit more expensive but perfect for longterm use.

[Jugglering]

Have you got the hooks on the highest slot in the curtain header tape ? I had the same trouble and called the fabric shop who had made up my curtains and fitted the rail for me. They told me that the curtains needed to hang down below the rail, not hide it.

[tony1941]

Wax furniture polish - either sprayed or applied with a cloth will solve the problem