How to Properly Wash Your Curtains

How to Properly Wash Your Curtains

Before we start, some people may still be asking, “Do I really need to clean my curtains?” And the answer is yes, you do.

Curtains are not just decorative pieces in your home. They gather dust and collect dirt. In this post, we’ll outline the steps on how you can properly and thoroughly clean your curtains.

Why should you clean your curtains?

As mentioned, curtains, especially those with thick fabric, attract dust, dirt, as well as absorb odors over time. It is not only hygienic to wash your curtains, but it can also prevent allergies, especially to sensitive or asthmatic members of our household.

How often should you wash or dry clean your curtains?

It is best if you clean your curtains every three to six months, depending on the fabric. While the lighter type of fabric can be dusted from time to time, it would be more difficult to maintain the cleanliness of heavier fabrics with just some light dusting.

What is the best way to clean curtains?

The best way to clean curtains is to follow the recommended procedure for each type of fabric. However, the most basic steps to clean curtains stay the same, which are as follows:

Dust and vacuum your curtains.

Before anything else, you may remove excess dirt and accumulated dust by vacuuming them.

Prepare your curtains to be washed.

When taking them down, make sure that you remove all hooks, weights, and tie backs.

Determine how the curtains should be washed.

Your curtains should come with the tags that tell you if it’s safe to hand wash, load in the washing machine, or it’s supposed to be dry cleaned only.

You may also rinse the curtains first with cold water before putting them in the washing machine, if applicable.

If using the washing machine, set the washing machine to the correct settings.

It’s important you set the washing machine to the correct settings based on the type of fabric of your curtain.

What temperature do you wash curtains?

Here is a table that outlines the best temperature of the cycle to wash different types of fabrics in curtains:

If washing by hand, make sure to use warm water.

Dissolve the powder and soak them in warm water. Rinse well and squeeze out excess water before you hang your curtains to dry.

If applicable, iron when they are still slightly damp.

This will help remove creases so your curtains look sleek and neater. Of course, make sure they can be ironed first and check the label.

You may also use a steamer and move it over your curtains in large sweeping movements.

Prevent the build-up of dust and dirt by making sure the areas where your curtains are located are cleaned regularly.

The next time you hang your curtains, make it a habit to regularly clean them by dusting and vacuuming sills and the floor area. You may also use the small brush attachment in your vacuum meant for furniture and upholstery to periodically clean your curtains too.

Washing curtains: Frequently Asked Questions

Should curtains be washed or dry cleaned?

If your curtains are made of silk, linen, or other sensitive fabrics, you may notice that their tags mention that they should be dry cleaned. This is because hot water, detergent, and constant friction caused by the cycles in the washing machine can damage the fabric, fade the colours, or even shrink them.

Can you put curtains in the washing machine?

You can put most types of curtains in the washing machine, except those that are for dry cleaning. So always make sure to check the tags of your curtains.

Can I wash curtains that say dry clean?

Yes, you can wash curtains for dry cleaning but don’t make it a habit.

When attempting to wash dry-clean-only curtains, launder one panel at a time in cold water, either by hand or on the gentle cycle. Remove the drape promptly once the cycle completes and hang or lay it flat to dry. To prevent shrinking, never put a dry-clean-only curtain in the dryer.

How do you dry clean curtains at home?

One of the techniques used by people is to launder one panel at a time in cold water using hand wash or gentle cycle. Then hang it or lay it flat to dry. Don’t use the dryer as this may cause shrinkage and damage.

What setting to wash net curtains?

The recommended settings to wash net curtains is a delicate cycle at a low temperature of 30° and no spin drying.

Be careful what kind of laundry detergent you also use when you are washing it. Ideally, you should use ones designed for delicate fabrics to avoid damage.

How do I wash curtains with metal hooks?

If the metal hooks and rings are detachable, you would need to detach them first before putting them in a washing machine, if the material allows it. However, if they do not come with detachable metal hooks and rings, you should not use a washing machine since it can damage both the metallic parts and the washing machine itself. They are better hand washed or dry cleaned.

Should I wash new curtains before hanging them?

In case you want to hem your curtains or adjust its height, it is recommended that you wash your curtains as it tends to shrink after the first wash.

Check out our selection of curtains here.