A Complete Beginners Guide On How To Clean Curtains

Home is where you feel cozy and comfortable. Every small nook and corner of the house emits peace, positive vibes and good health. For such an environment, you need to have a clean house. It includes not only the floors, cabinets and walls but also the curtains and linens of the house.

Curtains are the barriers that prevent outside dust, dirt and germs from entering our house. Do you ever wonder what might happen if you do not clean your curtains? Let us list the drawbacks of unclean curtains.

• Respiratory illness
• Skin allergies
• Mouldy smell in the room

To summarise, clean curtains are not only essential for maintaining a healthy living environment, but they also play a significant role in enhancing the freshness and ambiance of a room.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to wash curtains properly.

A] Check The Cleaning Instructions & Pre-Soak It

In order to prevent any damage to curtains, always check the cleaning instructions mentioned on the curtains. Look for details such as the type of washing required, the detergent to be used, and the temperature of the water to be used. These things are important to note, especially if you wash curtains at home. Systematically remove the curtains from the rod and prepare it for further cleaning.

• Use a lint roller on the curtains and then vacuum clean them.
• Remove the stains on the curtains.
• Remove the curtains from the rod.
• Unscrew the rod and clean it.
• Check the curtain for colour fastness.
• Soak the whites and coloured separately.
• Select a mild detergent for the curtains if you are using a top-load or front-load machine.
• Soak the curtains for a few hours overnight if a lot of dirt has accumulated over them.

B] Curtain Cleaning Techniques

Once you remove the curtains from the rod, it is crucial to decide how to wash the curtains. Whether the curtains need hand washing, machine washing or dry cleaning. It is best to use the hand washing method as it ensures the safety of the material that will last long.

1. Hand washing

Delicate materials like lace, net, and chiffon need hand washing. It is best to use mild detergents that will not damage the material. Do not scrub the material, and always use cold water. Use detergents that are safe for delicate materials. Air-dry the curtains as soon as they are washed. We understand that hand washing becomes a little tiresome, so you should hand wash only delicate materials at home.

2. Machine washing

Machine washing is the fastest and easiest to wash the curtains. The cotton and cotton blend curtains can be washed in a machine. Always wash the curtains on medium strength, gentle wash and in cold water. You can use the fabric softener to make your curtains look fresh and smell fresh. Put the dryer on a delicate cycle to prevent any damage to the material.

3. Dry clean

Heavy curtains can be difficult to wash and clean at home. There are certain types of clothes that need dry cleaning. Materials like silk and silk blends cannot be washed at home and require laundry and dry cleaning professionals who can best clean the curtains. You should note that materials like cotton, sequin, cashmere, and wool are required to be washed without water or the use of a washing machine so that they do not shrink or break. Dry cleaning can easily remove the toughest of stains without damaging the curtains.

Key Points: What is the best way to clean curtains?

• Use hand washing for delicate and light materials
• Use machine wash for heavy curtains
• Dry clean all the curtains once a year for thorough cleaning

C] Tips On Care And Maintenance Of Clean Curtains

Cleaning the curtain is not a one-time affair. After cleaning, there has to be regular maintenance to keep the curtain clean and fresh for a long time.

• Every two weeks remove the curtains and dry them in the sun.
• Vacuum the curtains or use a lint roller over the curtains every two weeks.
• Use light-coloured curtains in the rooms that get maximum sunlight and darker ones in the rooms that have less sunlight. This prevents fading of the colour of the curtains.
• Keep the curtains slightly above the ground level so they don’t touch the dirty ground and get spoiled.
• Clean not just the curtains but the rod, valance and window frames.
• Dry curtains on two parallel drying strings to prevent wet surfaces from touching.
• Wash the curtains every three months to six months to keep them fresh and germ-free.
• Dry clean the curtains once a year to increase their life.

D] Troubleshooting/FAQs

Let us discuss a few issues that you might face when you are washing curtains:

1. Should you hand wash or machine-wash the curtains?

Lightweight and delicate curtains can be hand washed. Hand washing needs lots of effort to soak, wash and dry. Thus, you can opt for machine washing if the machine has a gentle wash facility.

2. Can I put the curtain in the dryer?

The curtain will tumble while in the dryer. It is best to sundry the curtains. If the situation is not favourable, you can use a gentle tumble in the dryer at a low temperature.

3. Can I iron my curtains?

This depends on the material of the curtain. Check the instructions on the curtain. If the material can be ironed, then iron the curtains when it is still damp. Ironing the curtains makes them look crisp, fresh and new.

Conclusion

Cleaning the curtains is an important part of maintaining a clean and healthy home environment. With the tips and techniques provided in this beginner’s guide, you can easily and effectively clean your curtains and keep them looking fresh and new. Cleaning your curtains at home requires a lot of thought. You just need to be more aware of the types of material used, the temperature required, the detergent to be used, how often to clean and how to dry and maintain the curtains.

If you rather not deal with the hassle of cleaning curtains at home, you can always hire a laundry service to clean them. So, if you are looking for professional curtain cleaning in Mumbai, you can contact us right away!