Searching for curtain cleaning hacks? Just like any other household item, curtains can accumulate dust, dirt, and stains over time. Regular cleaning is crucial to maintain their appearance and prolong their lifespan.
But don't worry, cleaning curtains is not as daunting as it may seem! Here we'll provide you with step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks on how to clean curtains effectively and safely, depending on their material, style, and condition.
Whether you have sheer, lace, linen, or heavy drapes, we've got you covered. So, let's dive in and learn how to make your curtains fresh and vibrant again!
Recommended Cleaning Solutions for Curtains
When it comes to cleaning your curtains, the key concept to always remember is
gentle is best
. This includes the detergent you use. Because curtains are exposed to the sun often, this can weaken and make the fabric brittle.
To safeguard curtains and extend the life of your curtains, always treat them with greater care than you even would your clothing. Never use bleach and always opt for a detergent which is designed to be safe and protective to your curtains.
Cleaning Tools You'll Need
It's helpful to get in the habit of vacuuming your curtains regularly to prevent dust and pet hair build up. If you vacuum your flooring or rugs once a week, consider taking the vacuum wand to your curtains during these cleaning sessions.
Be sure to use the upholstery tool with your hand-held wand. If it's too awkward to vacuum curtains while they are still hanging, try removing them and laying them on a bed for easy vacuuming.
Regularly removing dust is important to prevent it from becoming embedded in the fiber of the curtains and thus harder to clean.
Beyond regular dust removal, you'll want to routinely wash your curtains. You can use a large basin sink to hand wash curtains or use your washing machine on a delicate setting and cold water. Always make sure your detergent is fully diluted in water to avoid stains on your curtains.
How to Clean Sheer Curtains
Sheer curtains can show dust and dirt quickly, which makes it essential to regularly wash them. You'll want to pre-soak sheers in cold water for around five minutes in your washing machine with diluted detergent. Be sure to drain this water before washing on delicate.
Here's a hack for keeping sheers in shape during the drying process: add in a few dry terry cloth towels to keep the curtains from balling up and wrinkling. Dry on a no-heat setting but remove the sheers while they are still slightly damp.
How to Clean Drapes of Any Material
Linen Curtains
When washing linen curtains, you want to make sure to avoid shrinking this fabric. Exposure to high heat during washing and drying can cause linen to irreparably shrink.
To prevent shrinkage, only use cold water on a delicate, low-spin cycle when laundering your linen curtains. Always follow the care instructions provided with the curtains.
Air drying provides the safest drying method, although some linen curtains can be placed in the dryer on an air-dry setting (without heat).
Because linen often wrinkles in the laundering process, you'll want to make sure you give them a good ironing before hanging.
While your linen curtains are still a bit damp, press out wrinkles with an iron on a low setting. Or if your curtains are fully dry, simply spritz with distilled water before ironing.
Cotton Curtains
Cotton is a rather low-maintenance fabric, but you should still be careful not to shrink or damage the textile during washing. Opt for the delicate cycle on your washing machine.
Cotton curtains should tolerate regular household detergent rather well. Just be sure to stick to cold water washes and low spin cycles.
Velvet Curtains
If your velvet curtains don't say "dry clean only," it's safe to wash them at home.
Skip the washing machine when cleaning velvet curtains and opt to wash by hand with a mild dish detergent. Before washing, first check for colorfastness on an inconspicuous spot. If there are changes to the color of the fabric, stop using the dish soap and switch to a solution of lemon juice and baking soda.
Finally, if you just want to bring more life back into your velvet curtains, run a handheld steamer over the curtains. Just be sure you always use a low heat setting to prevent damage. Always test an area before proceeding.
Run the steamer in the opposite direction of the nap of the velvet to give a "lift" and refresh to the fabric.
How to Clean Shower Curtains
Being frequently damp and covered with soap, shower curtains demand more frequent washes than curtains which simply hang peacefully across windows. You can provide weekly maintenance without taking the curtain off of its rings, by spraying with vinegar and then rinsing clean.
Stubborn mold stains can be treated with a spray mix of two parts hydrogen peroxide to one part water, which should be allowed to sit before rinsing.
Shower liners should be washed monthly using detergent. If your shower liner routinely suffers from mildew, add a mix of a half cup baking soda and a quarter cup of vinegar into the rinse cycle. This can help prevent recurrences of the dreaded grime.
Fabric shower curtains can be tossed into the washing machine with a few soft bath towels for protection and washed in warm water on the highest water level for complete saturation.
To dry both liners and fabric shower curtains, simply hang back up in the shower and allow them to air dry.
How Often Should You Clean Your Curtains?
Regular washing of curtains every three to six months is recommended to remove accumulated dust, dirt, and allergens, and to maintain their freshness and appearance.
A three to six month frequency ensures that curtains are kept clean and free from potential allergens, while preventing heavy soiling that may require more intensive cleaning methods.
For weekly or monthly vacuuming care, use a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner with a motorized brush head. It will spin and agitate curtain fibers and release more dust and dirt.
No upholstery attachment? Instead use a medium stiff brush to brush down the fibers allowing them to open up the fibers and release more dust. Once brushed, remove the debris with an ordinary vacuum wand.
To prevent the curtain material being sucked up into the wand, affix a piece of hosiery around the wand.
Should You Dry Clean Curtains?
Silk, linen, and other sensitive fabric curtains may require dry cleaning due to their delicate nature and susceptibility to damage when exposed to water or harsh chemicals.
Curtains that have a lining or those with embellishments along with tapestry fabrics, rayon, taffeta and suede, all require dry cleaning. These fabrics are often finely woven, have intricate designs or may not be colorfast, meaning they can bleed or fade when exposed to water or detergents.
Dry cleaning is a gentle and specialized process that uses solvent-based cleaning methods to effectively remove dirt, stains, and odors from curtains without immersing them in water.
Professional laundering also helps to preserve the integrity of curtain fabric, maintaining its texture, shape, and color, and preventing shrinkage or distortion. Be sure to choose a dry cleaner experienced in cleaning drapery.
After Cleaning: Train or Reshaping Curtains
After your curtains are freshly laundered, you'll want them to hang their best again. To ensure your curtains hang evenly with pronounced folds, you'll want to train your curtains after each wash. Learn how to train your curtains using a handheld steamer in our how to article.
Best Care Tips to Great Looking Curtains
Add blinds or shades to windows with plentiful sunlight to prevent color fading and deterioration of curtain fabric.
Always wash your curtains separately from other textiles.
In a pinch, a dry microfiber cloth can act in the same fashion as a vacuum for dust and pet hair removal.