Your Expertise Tips How to Clean Curtains

Window curtains play the most vital role in enhancing the overall aesthetics of any room while also serving as a functional element to control light and privacy. Over time, however, they accumulate dust, allergens, and stains that can diminish their allure due to bad behaviors.

That's why today we've curated a step-by-step walkthrough with some expert tips  on how to clean curtains. By trying our method, you can ensure your curtains regain their beauty without hassle.

Whether you're dealing with delicate velvet, sheers, or other elegant drapes, our home decor expert tips will definitely shed some light on how to make your curtain looks like new.

When Should I Clean My Curtain / Drape?

As an expert in this field for many years, we often recommend people to have a their windows and curtains a deep clean every 3-6 months, particularly for intricate or heavier styles.

For an even simpler maintenance, a yearly refresh suffices. We highly recommend to have curtain routine cleaning involves weekly vacuuming, which will help to minimize the allergens and dust that build up from time to time.

The best method to remove the pet hair from your curtain, feel free to utilize a lint brush or duct tape while vacuuming. For the setting, we will recommend the gentle vacuum settings just to be safe with the fabric. In addition, please consider using a soft brush or even a nylon stocking to prevent fabric mishaps during cleaning, in short, you will need to treat these fabrics gently as possible.

What Are the Prerequests that Needs to Be Done Before Cleaning Your Curtains

If your curtains / drapes are both available for machine or hand wash, be sure to test the color fastness on their fabrics as the first step. Choose a hidden section of the fabric and test it in a small bowl of warm water that filled with detergent. Look closely for color bleeds or any other shrinkage or changes in texture. If you see the colors of curtain are transfeing, bleeding, or even damaging, then chances are you would be better off taking your window curtains to a professional cleaner before the situation gets out of your hands.

Additional Considerations:

Make sure that you always check the care label for your curtains or drapery before washing. Most of the time, it does state some essential info regarding how to clean the item and whether the fabric will be damaged by water or detergents or even drying machine...etc.

Curious about how to clean linen curtains? Delicate fabric types like silk, velvet, and linen should be professionally cleaned, as they can easily be ruined by water, and by their wrong washing technique.

What You'll Need:

Equipment / Tools:

• Washing machine (with delicate or hand-wash settings)
• Large sink or basin (for hand-washing)
• Iron (preferably with a steam function)
• Pressing cloth (to protect fabric during ironing)
• Lint roller (It's very important to remove pet hair in advance to washing)
• We recommend to air dry the curtain to prevent damaging the materials

Materials:

• Use Mild dish detergent to wash delicate fabrics
• Mild laundry detergent (for machine-washing more durable curtains)
• Use fabric conditioner to keep the fabric soft and static-free
• Distilled water (for mixing with detergent, especially for sensitive fabrics)

The reason why we will need the proper care and cleaning of your curtains is not only preserve their appearance but also extend their lifespan, maintaining a fresh and polished look in your home. 

What Are Curtain Cleaning Do's & Don't?

Regard to lean how to clean curtains, please keep in mind with the followings:

DO consider to dry clean drapes: When you are unsure about how to wash curtains, choose dry cleaning to prevent potential shrinking issue. For materials that coming with dedicated designs or pleated curtains, opt for dry cleaning to ensure their longevity.

DO protect against sun damage: Best practice to use gentle machine wash with mild detergent to shield fabrics from sunlight wear. Use air-drying or a no-heat dryer setting to prevent the heat damaging your fabrics

DON'T overlook special fabrics: Velvet draperies can be rejuvenized by gently brushing them with a chamois cloth soaked in hot water; however, avoid excessive twisting. Silk curtains require 100% hand wash in lukewarm water and mild detergent – refrain from wringing.

DON'T neglect sheer curtains: It is very important to maintain sheers' brightness by washing them regularly in cold water with mild detergent, even if they appear clean. This type of material is very easily to settle with dirts and might eventually cause permanent discoloration, which should be taking extra attention!

How to Clean Cotton Curtains

Here are some simple steps to follow as properly cleaning your cotton curtains and drapes: 

How to Clean Curtains and Drapes Made of Cotton?

Pre-treat stains: Gently dab stains on cotton drapes with a mixture of cold water and mild detergent. Avoid excessive rubbing to prevent setting the stain further into the fabric.

Wash on gentle cycle only: Place the curtains in the washing machine, selecting the gentle cycle and using cold water. Add a low volume of gentle detergent to preserve the fabric's materials being damaged.

Dry on low heat: After washing, tumble dry the curtains on a low heat setting to prevent excessive shrinkage. Remove them from the dryer while slightly damp.

Iron when damp: To eliminate wrinkles, iron the damp curtains in a low to medium heat setting. 

Cleaning Synthetic Drapes or Curtains

For synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester, it is highly recommended for you to for for professional cleaning or hand and machine-washed options. But avoid dry cleaning as it makes the fabric deteriorate faster.

How to wash curtains in washing machine?

Separate colors: Can you wash different colors curtain all together? No. Similar to cloths, which is recommend to wash lighter and darker shades separately to maintain their vibrancy.

Wash in cold water: Opt for a gentle machine wash using cold water and mild detergent. This preserves the fabric's color and also prevents potential damage.

Tumble dry on low heat: After washing, tumble dry the synthetic curtains on a low heat setting. This aids in maintaining their shape while preventing excessive shrinkage.

How to Clean Silk Drapes or Curtains

Gentle silk cleaning: Hand-wash silk drapes using mild dishwashing soap and delicate hand movements. This method applies to other delicate fabrics as well, ensuring their preservation.

Rinse and remove water: After washing, gently rinse the curtains several times to remove soap and squeeze to remove excess water.

Air-drying: Hang the silk drapes to air-dry naturally. This process maintains their lustrous texture without risking shrinkage or distortion.

Damp ironing: For a polished finish, iron the drapes while slightly damp. Use a low heat setting to iron the fabric on the wrong side, and use a pressing cloth to protect it from scorching.

As you can see, learning how to clean curtains and drapes made of silk is simple; just avoid the washing machine.

How to Clean Marment Fabric Curtain

To clean marment fabric curtains:

• Vacuum Regularly: We recommend to use a brush attachment to gently remove dust and debris.
• Spot Clean: Dab spills with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Avoid rubbing to prevent fabric damage.
• Hand Wash: If necessary, wash gently in lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Do not wring.
• Air Dry: Hang the curtains to dry in a shaded area, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• Iron Carefully: Please avoid directly putting the heat on your curtain, we recommend iron on a low setting with a protective cloth between the iron and fabric to prevent material damaging.

Always check the care label before cleaning.

How to Clean Sheer Curtains

Gentle sheer curtain care: Since sheer curtain are easier to collect dusts, we advise regularly cleaning is vital, including delicate laces, to avert discoloration and dullness from prolonged use.

Cold water soak and wash: Immerse these delicate fabrics in cold water with a mild detergent in your washing machine for around five minutes, ensuring a thorough soak before draining.

Delicate machine wash: Select the mildest cycle suitable for the fabric, adding a small amount of mild detergent for a gentle yet effective cleanse.

No-heat drying with towels: In the dryer, opt for a  low heat, air-only setting, accompanied by soft, dry terry cloth towels to prevent fabric bunching during tumbling.

Reshaping after drying: Retrieve the curtains slightly damp from the dryer to prevent wrinkles. As you rehang them, gently tug to release wrinkles and restore their proper shape without puckering.

How to Clean Velvet & Linen Curtain

• Check the Care Label: Start by reviewing the care label on your velvet curtains. Not all the materials are safe for machine washing, many of them actually need special care.
• Select a Gentle Cycle: If your curtain is machine washable, we recommend to select gentle cycle with cold water to minimize the risk of damaging the fabric.
• Choose a Mild Detergent: Opt for a mild, non-bleach detergent specifically made for delicate fabrics. Avoid harsh detergents that could harm the velvet.
• Protect the Fabric: Place your curtains in large laundry bag to prevent friction and damage during the wash.
• Wash Gently: It is very importan to run the washing machine on a slow, gentle cycle. Remove the curtains immediately after the cycle ends to avoid wrinkles.

Cleaning Methods

Let's recap the most important cleaning methods and tips on how to clean curtains and drapes.

Vacuum and Dust Drapes 

How to dust curtains?

• Utilize short strokes and an upholstery brush for effective vacuuming and dusting of drapes.
• Begin at the top and work downwards,
• Regular vacuuming prevents pet hair and dust buildup, 
• For delicate or decorative drapes, avoid use vacuum machine and use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove dust swiftly and safely.

Launder Drapes/Curtain Properly

How to clean curtains in the washing machine? 

• Identify drapery material and check care labels for laundering guidance.
• Delicate cycle with cool water for machine washing.
• Consider professional cleaning for stains.
• Protect fabrics by line-drying to prevent shrinking but avoid strong winds. 
• Iron or steam for wrinkles.
• Caution with dryer use; confirm care instructions to prevent heat damage.

Steam Cleaning Method

• Please consult to manufacturer's guidance for steaming drapes.
• Attach a suitable fabric tool; begin cleaning from the top down.
• Test steamer on hidden area to avoid fabric discoloration.
• Avoid sensitive drapery materials that may not tolerate high heat.
• Confirm steamer compatibility; not all models are suitable for upholstery or curtains.

Dry Cleaned Method

• For larger, heavier curtains, please consider dry cleaning professional 
• Dry-clean curtains made of delicate materials like velvet, silk, or wool.
• This method also applies to interlined curtains and delicate materials.

Order Custom-Made Curtains from TWOPAGES

At TWOPAGES Curtains, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized elegance to your living spaces. With meticulous aesthete craftsmanship that have running business for over a decade, we specialize in creating one of the kind custom-made curtains that harmonize both science and arts with your unique preferences.

Since our commitment to is to offer curtain that come with quality materials, precise measurements, and a wide array of design options, hence, we work hard to delivery results by reflects your distinct style while enhancing the ambiance of your home.

Let's experience the art of bespoke curtain design with TWOPAGES, where your vision becomes a captivating reality. If you're not convinced, check out what our customers say.