Though curtains blend into the background of a room, they bring a sense of style and warmth to any room. 

Being a piece of decor in your home, they also need some care – the same as you do with other furniture and decor. Plus, they may look perfectly clean, but their fabric is host to a lot of allergens. 

Knowing When And How To Clean Curtains

To ensure you keep the air quality in your home safe and healthy for your family, you need to keep your curtains free of dirt, mould, and dust. It’s best to wash them during warm and sunny weather to help them dry quickly. 

You should aim to wash your curtains at least once yearly and as needed (like when someone spills a drink during a particularly eventful Christmas party). 

One way to ensure you never forget this task is to add it to your spring cleaning checklist. So, without further ado, here are NexDo’s expert tips on cleaning curtains on your own!

Before You Start

  • Check the label on your curtains to check for special cleaning instructions.
  • Use a vacuum with an upholstery cleaning attachment or a lint roller to remove excess pet fur, dust, and lint. 
  • Remove the hooks and rings before starting the curtain cleaning process.
  • Take your curtains outside and shake them to get rid of dirt and dust before getting them wet. 
  • If you’re handwashing your curtains, you will need a large tub to soak and clean them.

How to Clean Sheer Curtains

Sheer curtains are made of thin fabrics which allow minimal light to filter into a room. When these curtains get dirty, it is quite obvious. 

To Clean

Sheer curtains are delicate, and you must be quite careful handling them.  

  • Soak the curtains in cold water for around 10 minutes.
  • Swish them around in the water and loosen the dirt. 
  • Hand wash them according to the instructions on the label using cold water and a mild, non-bleaching detergent.

To Dry

  • Do not wring sheer curtains; gently squeeze them to remove the excess water. 
  • Sheer curtains can tear and wrinkle easily, so the best way to dry them is to put them back onto their hooks and dry them outside.

How to Clean Unlined Curtains

Unlined curtains are ones which do not have an additional layer sewn behind them. This makes them suitable for providing some privacy while still letting light into the room. 

These curtains collect less dust than their lined counterparts since there isn’t any extra place for dust to accumulate. 

To Clean

  • Soak the curtains in cold water for around 10 minutes.
  • Swish them around in the water and loosen the dirt. 
  • Hand wash them according to the instructions on the label using cold water and a mild, non-bleaching detergent.
  • You can also steam clean them to minimise wear and tear; with this method, they can stay on their hooks inside!

To Dry

  • Do not wring these curtains; gently squeeze them to remove the excess water. 
  • Sheer curtains can tear easily, so the best way to dry them is to put them back onto their hooks and dry them outside in the shade.
  • If they are made of cotton or polyester, you can iron them using low heat to remove any wrinkles. 

How to Clean Lined Curtains

Lined curtains have fabric sewn onto the back. These curtains can still allow light in (depending on the colour) but offer more privacy than unlined curtains. 

The lining on the back makes the curtain sturdier than unlined curtains, and the lining on the back protects the curtain from fading due to sunlight.

To Clean

  • Soak the curtains in cold water for around 10 minutes.
  • Swish them around in the water and loosen the dirt. 
  • Hand wash these curtains according to the instructions on the label using cold water and a mild, non-bleaching detergent.
  • Since lined curtains have two layers of fabric, when washing at home, one side can shrink, leading to your curtain bunching up. 
  • To avoid this, wash the lining separately (if possible) or take them to a dry cleaner.

To Dry

  • Avoid heat and tumble drying during the washing process.
  • Squeeze water out but do not wring, and avoid using high heat. 
  • Avoid using clothing pegs when drying these curtains outside.

How to Clean Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains do not allow any light in at all – perfect for when you want to sleep in all day! 

This is possible due to the acrylic layer on the back of the curtain. Though these curtains are heavy and sturdy, the acrylic layer can break down if the curtain is not given proper care.

To Clean

  • Hand wash them according to the instructions on the label using cold water and a mild, non-bleaching detergent.
  • Pay attention to the acrylic layer, and don’t allow it to stick to itself (resulting in the layer peeling off and making your curtain look old and worn).

To Dry

  • Don’t wring them out. To avoid the acrylic layer sticking to itself, hang them by their hooks in a shaded area. 
  • Do not use an iron or any heat tool to remove wrinkles – since the acrylic layer melts quickly. 

How to Clean Mouldy Curtains

This is when your curtains have been in damp conditions – or left too long without cleans in between – and have mould forming on them.

Steam Cleaning

  • Steam clean them to dislodge mould and sanitise the curtains. 

Brushing

  • Brush your curtains to loosen any mould. 
  • Soak them in water, use a mild detergent to clean off the mouldy area, and then wash as instructed on the label. 
  • When dealing with mould, try to clean and dry them outside, so you don’t have bacteria and mould falling inside your home. 

Get Your Curtains Professionally Cleaned

When all else fails – or you don’t have the time to do it yourself – you can always take your curtains to the dry cleaners.

This way, you save time and ensure that your curtains get cleaned safely and thoroughly.