Curtains and drapes add privacy and style to your home, but they can become dirty real quick and start to smell if you don’t clean them on time. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean curtains or drapes.
Table of Contents:
Shake and Vacuum
Remove your curtains and give them a good shake outdoors to get rid of surface dust. Once done, place the curtain flat on your bed and vacuum it with a soft brush attachment. Reduce the suction force and secure a nylon stocking over the nozzle to prevent the fabric from being sucked inside.
If you don’t have a brush attachment, use a long-handled broom with synthetic fibers to get rid of pet hair and dirt from the curtains.
Check the Label
Before washing, check the care label to know whether the manufacturer recommends hand washing, steaming, machine washing, or dry cleaning.
Even if the manufacturer says you can hand- or machine-wash your curtain or drape, make sure to check them for colorfastness.
- Take a small bowl of warm water and add some detergent to it.
- Dip an inconspicuous area of the fabric in the solution and let it dry fully. If the color bleeds, it’s best to leave the job to a professional.
- If you’re going to use a steamer, test it on a hidden corner of your curtain and let it dry completely to ensure there’s no discoloration.
Cleaning Nylon/Polyester Curtains or Drapes
Hand- or machine-washing is the best option for cleaning nylon and polyester curtains or drapes. However, if your curtains have stitched-in pleats or swags, we recommend dry cleaning them so you don’t damage the design.
Wash Light and Dark Colors Separately
Even if your curtains are colorfast, it’s best to separate light and dark colors to prevent the darker colors from bleeding into the lighter ones and giving them a dingy look.
Wash Gently
Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester require a gentle wash.
Machine wash:
Use cold water and a mild detergent, and select a delicate cycle. Make sure there’s enough room in the washing machine so the curtains don’t get crushed as they tumble. We recommend washing one or two panels at a time, depending on the thickness of the fabric and the size of your washing machine.
Hand wash:
- Fill a large bucket with cool water and add a mild detergent to it. Stir it around to create suds.
- Immerse the curtain or drape into the solution and swish the fabric to release the soap.
- Rinse the curtain until there are no suds in the water.
- Place the curtain flat on a thick towel and roll the towel to gently squeeze out excess water from the fabric.
Machine-Dry
Set your dryer to low heat to dry curtains or drapes. Remove them from the dryer when they are 90 percent dry and hang them indoors immediately to prevent wrinkles. Don’t let the fabric dry any further in the dryer so the wrinkles don’t set in.
Cleaning Cotton Curtains or Drapes
You can hand- or machine-wash cotton curtains or drapes if they are unlined.
Separate Light and Dark Colors
Wash light and dark curtains separately to prevent the darker color from bleeding into the lighter fabric. Color bleeding doesn’t usually happen with cotton fabric, but prevention is better than cure.
Machine-Wash Gently
Use cold water and a mild detergent, and select a delicate cycle on the washing machine. Since cotton curtains aren’t so thick, you can wash two to three panels at a time, but make sure there’s enough room in the washer.
Machine-Dry
Set your dryer to low heat. Wait till the curtains are 90 percent dry, and hang them indoors immediately to avoid wrinkles.
Iron
If your curtains need ironing, don’t let them dry completely, as it’s easier to iron when the fabric is slightly damp. Set the iron to the cotton setting and iron the wrong side of the fabric. Use a protective ironing cloth to prevent scorching. Rehang the curtains to let them dry completely.
Cleaning Silk Curtains or Drapes
Silk curtains or drapes are delicate, so hand-wash them. Wash other delicate fabrics like velvet in the same way.
Separate Light and Dark Colors
As with other fabric materials, wash light and dark curtains separately to prevent color bleeding.
Hand-Wash Gently
- Take a large bucket and fill it with cool water. Add a mild detergent and stir it around to create suds.
- Gently immerse the silk curtain or drape into the solution and swish the fabric to release the soap.
- Keep rinsing the curtain until there are no suds in the water.
- Place the curtain flat on a thick towel and roll it gently to squeeze out excess water from the fabric.
Air-Dry
Hang silk curtains or drapes indoors to dry.
Iron
If your silk curtain needs ironing, let it dry only 95 percent. Set the iron to the silk setting and iron the wrong side of the fabric. Use a pressing cloth to prevent scorching. Once done, rehang the curtains and let them dry completely.
How to Spot Clean for Stains
Spot cleaning works well for isolated stains on your curtains, like coffee spills or food marks. Here’s how to do it the right way:
- Dampen a microfiber cloth with a mild detergent solution and gently dab the stain. Don’t scrub because it can spread the stain.
- Blot gently till you get rid of the stain, and then use a clean microfiber cloth to remove any water spots.
- Let the curtain or drape dry thoroughly.
Note: If your curtain or drape isn’t colorfast, we recommend giving it to a professional to remove the stain.
When to Call Us?
Curtain cleaning is a simple DIY job. However, if your curtains or drapes are old and beyond the cleaning stage, you should consider replacing them. At Family Interiors, we offer a wide range of curtains and drapes that can transform your windows from boring to beautiful. Book a free consultation with us, and our pros will visit your home to help you make the right choice.
