IN THIS POST:
– Ways to Clean Different Types of Curtains
– Spot Cleaning Your Curtains
– Maintaining Your Curtains
Choosing curtains vs. blinds requires due consideration but once you’ve made the choice; you must know how to clean your curtains to maintain them in perfect condition, year after year. Here’s a detailed guide on how to clean different types of curtains in your home.
Ways to Clean Your Curtains Efficiently According to Type
There are three primary types of curtains according to the material used to create them and you should always clean the curtains based on their materials, as every type of fabric requires a different level of care and attention when washing. Certain fabrics can wrinkle, discolour, or tear if they are put through a wash cycle in a washing machine.
So, it’s best to know if washing by hand is recommended for your particular curtains before you begin. You can check the labels, if any, for more instructions on your particular curtains before you put them in the wash.
The three popular types of curtain materials include:
- Fabric Curtains
- Velvet Curtains
- Lace Curtains
Now, we’ll discuss the ways to clean different types of curtains in detail below.
Fabric Curtains
Curtains made from cotton and other durable fabrics that do not have a lining underneath can easily be washed at home. Firstly, take the curtain off the railing, and take out all of the hooks, rings, or clips that are holding the curtain in place. It is important to detach all of these clips and hooks because otherwise, they might get caught in the fabric during the wash cycle and tear it.
Next, shake the curtains in an outdoor space if possible to get rid of dust particles, before washing the curtains in your washing machine. Remember to avoid overloading the machine. You might only be able to wash two curtains at a time depending on the size of the curtains and the capacity of your machine.
It is advised that you always wash curtains with cold water and with a spin cycle set for delicate items. Once the curtains are washed, you can dry them in the dryer on a low heat. As soon as the cycle is complete, take the curtains out and hang them up to their full length to dry. Letting them air-dry by hanging them to their full length will prevent wrinkles after the wash, but you can choose to iron the curtain after it is dry.
If you want to get rid of wrinkles, iron the backside of the curtain, to avoid damage to the fabric on the front and use the iron at a low setting. Moreover, if your curtains have delicate ornaments or embellishments on them, it is advised that you wash them by hand rather than putting them in a washing machine.
Velvet Curtains
Heavy curtains made from velvet, brocade, polyester and other fabrics are usually dry cleaned by professionals, whether they have a lining or not. There are some velvet curtains that can be washed at home though but you’ll need to consult an expert as to whether yours fall into that category. Even if you can wash your heavy curtains at home, you should test a small area of the curtain that is usually hidden from plain sight for colourfastness.
Dampen a small part of the fabric with a wet cloth and see if the colour dye transfers to the rag in your hand. If it does, send the curtains to the cleaners. If the colour does not transfer, you can wash one curtain at a time in the washing machine at a delicate setting using only cold water and half of the amount of cleaning detergent that you would normally use.
After the wash, do not wring the fabric and never out them in a dryer or hang them on a line. Instead, spread a light coloured cotton sheet on the floor and lay the curtains out flat on them to dry. Curtains with linings may be hung out to dry since the lining at the back can be ironed later on to remove wrinkles. But the case can differ for each set of curtains.
Lace Curtains
Lace curtains, net curtains, and curtains made from other sheer fabrics, are quite delicate and will easily snag and tear if handled roughly. Therefore, it is best to wash them by hand in a sink with a small quantity of a mild detergent and cold water. You should shake the curtains outdoors if possible after taking them down to get rid of the loose dust particles.
Wash each curtain individually in the sink, washing it with soapy water for about 10 minutes before you rinse it and then hang it up to drain and dry. Do not dry these curtains in a dryer and do not fold them over a washing line to dry. They need to dry at a full-length height to avoid possible wrinkles, as these fabrics are far too gentle to be ironed at a later time to remove the wrinkles.
Be gentle while washing sheer curtains and submerge them in soapy water if you have stains that need to be removed, but do not wring, twist, or scrub at the fabric during the wash to avoid damaging it.
How to Spot Clean Your Curtains
Need to get rid of stubborn stains on your curtains but don’t have time to take them down for a complete wash? If you have been wondering about how to clean the curtains without taking them down, consider these fail-proof spot removal methods:
- If the stain is still wet, remove excess moisture by blotting it with a soft cloth or tissue.
- If the stain is dry, but your curtain does not retain marks of water droplets, you can dampen the stain and try blotting it to make it lighter.
- Wet wipes can also be used to dampen the stain and blot it to make it lighter.
- Apply some talcum powder to the wet stain and let it absorb the stain for at least half an hour.
- Dust off the powder and check the results. You should be left with a paler mark that is easier to remove.
- Alternatively, use a store-bought spot cleaner and stain remover and apply it to the stain as per the product instructions.
- Need a gentler solution? There are several uses of baking soda around the house and white vinegar also has many uses. Both of these are milder cleaning agents that can help you remove tough stains depending on the fabric that you are working with.
Maintaining Your Curtains Over Time
Aside from a yearly or a six monthly wash, curtains also need to be maintained with regular dusting and vacuuming to help them retain their appeal for longer. Here’s how to maintain your curtains on a weekly and monthly basis:
Weekly Maintenance of Curtains
Give your curtains a good shake while keeping a good grip on the railing that holds them in place. This will help you shake away the dust that you can then sweep away while cleaning the room. You can also use a duster or a lint roller for this purpose. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum to suck the dust particles if you have an attachment that works for delicate fabrics with the lowest suction power settings.
Monthly Maintenance of Curtains
Since curtains are only washed once or twice a year, you can take them off and shake them properly once a month to dislodge the collecting dust and debris. Alternatively, use a brush attachment on a vacuum at a low setting to clean the curtains from top to bottom. This is not recommended for fabrics that snag easily. You need to pay extra attention to the top part of the curtains as they gather the most dust. If you can’t take them off, use a step stool or ladder to climb up and dust off the railing and the top end of the curtains once a month.
Now you know how to keep your curtains clean and make an impression on your guests during any time of the year. You can also check out how to install window blinds and the different types of window blinds available in the market if you think that curtains might not be ideal for your home.
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