8 Curtain Cleaning & Maintenance Tips To Increase Their Life

Home is where there is comfort, cosiness and peace. Curtains are the main accessory of the house that not only gives privacy from the outside world but also adds to the aesthetic sense of the room. Curtains also catch a lot of dust and microparticles while hanging on our windows. This dust might cause some allergies or increase room pollution.

Regular cleaning of curtains keeps the curtains free from dust, does not cause any allergies, and also lasts long. In this blog, we will discuss tips to maintain the curtains for a long and how to clean curtains and keep them looking new for a long.

A] 8 Curtain Cleaning & Maintenance Tips To Prolong Their Lifespan

1. Understand The Difference Between Dusty And Dirty Curtains

The curtains generally block the outside light but also catch a lot of dust from outside and the room itself. You need to check if the curtains are dusty or dirty. There’s a difference. If the curtains are dusty they look dull, lose their attractive appeal and feel muddy when you touch them. The dusty curtains need not necessarily need washing, a deep vacuum cleaning is sufficient to remove all the dust.

2. Read The Manufacturer’s Instructions

The curtains are made from various materials. Each fabric is different and needs different types of washing. Few cotton fabrics can be washed at home but delicate fabrics like sheer, net, silk or crepe need dry cleaning. Few fabrics can tolerate warm water and some might need cold water wash. The best you can do is to read the labels that come with the curtains to know how to clean the curtain and extend its life.

3. Use Spot Cleaning To Remove Stains

The curtains in the room are usually used multiple times a day. Each time it is not possible to wash hands before handling the curtains, so it might get soiled and have hand prints on the fabric. For small soiled areas, you can only clean the spot and spare the whole curtain from washing. You can use a mild detergent or stain remover and clean the area. Avoid scrubbing the affected area, instead dab the stain to remove it. It is wise to always check the detergent on a small patch on the corner to avoid any damage to the fabrics.

4. Use A Lint Roller

Certain fabrics have static properties which attract lots of lint that get stuck on the fabric. Also, the pet owners have lots of pet hair shedding in the house. The curtain fabric attracts the fibres that are difficult to remove with wet washing. Curtain dry cleaning might also not remove the lint.  To remove all the lint and hair, use a lint roller before washing the curtains. Use the lint roller only in one direction to remove all the fibres and prevent any damage to the fabric.

5. Use A Gentle Laundry Detergent

Curtain cleaning at home needs lots of instructions to be kept in mind. The normal detergent you use for the other clothes might be a little harsh for the curtain fabric. Always use a mild detergent that is strong enough on the stains but protects the fabric from damage. The gentle detergent does not affect the colour, works on the fabric to remove dirt and dust, prevents shrinking of the fabric and also softens the fabric.

6. Bleach For Whites And Dye For Colours

With time the curtains start looking a bit dull and pull down the energy of the room too. The white curtains turn a little yellowish, and the bright-coloured curtains fade and lose their charm. The best way to get rid of these curtains is to replace them with new ones.

But, this is not possible every time. The perfect solution for this is to bleach the white curtains regularly, so they keep looking fresh and white throughout. You can dye the fabric with other darker colours to give it a vibrant look, add some coloured prints or use stencils on the fabric to give a completely new twist to the curtains. Before dying the fabric always remember to check the colour instructions and whether the dye is fabric-friendly or not.

7. Iron And Hang Dry

When you wash the curtains in the machine, it leaves them with wrinkles. It is advisable to hang dry them instead of using a dryer. To remove the wrinkles it is necessary to iron them before use. Use a press iron or steam iron according to the fabric and the work on the curtain. If possible try and use the lowest temperature to avoid any damage to the fabric.

If the curtains are big, then first hand them and then use a steam iron for the perfect wrinkle-free look. If the curtains have heavy work on the fabric then use a steam iron on the lowest temperature. Ironing the curtain gives them a sleek, neat and crisp look that enhances the face of the room.

8. Get Professional Help

Small-size curtains are easy to clean at home. But if the curtains are too big it becomes difficult to clean them at home. It gets very confusing if there are multiple fabrics used in your curtains on how to clean them. You are always scared that the curtains might get damaged.

Therefore it is best to use professional laundry and dry cleaning services who are thorough with their work. Professional cleaners know which detergent to use, how to remove stains, and how to dry and iron the curtains. They are time-saving and economical in the long run.

Conclusion

Curtains reflect your personality. Curtain cleaning is an important part of maintaining the essence of the house. Follow the above tips to keep your curtains clean and looking like new for a long. It is best to hire Professional Curtain Cleaning Services in Mumbai for optimal results. Though cleaning need not be very frequent, regular cleaning increases the life of the curtains.