How to Clean Curtains & Drapes, According to a Laundry Pro

Cleansing your property’s curtains and drapes could not usually be in your to-do record, but it surely’s one thing that must be achieved occasionally. Most individuals do that job so occasionally they could not know precisely what to do, which is why Cheryl Nelson, way of life and preparedness skilled, laundry connoisseur, and founding father of PrepareWithCher, is providing her recommendation for getting the job achieved.

“Curtains cling slightly below a window sill and are usually created from lighter materials,” she says, including that many curtains are machine cleanable. Drapes, alternatively, are usually lined, created from heavy material, and will cling all the way down to the ground. “Washing thick, lined materials like drapes are greatest left to knowledgeable dry cleaner,” Nelson continues. 

As for a way usually you need to be washing them, Nelson says the final rule of thumb is to wash your curtains and drapes each three to 6 months. Some indicators that you could be want to scrub yours embody indicators of mud, pet hair, odors, stains, and even mildew! Should you haven’t washed your curtains in years, Nelson suggests giving them a sniff after which following these skilled ideas. 

There are some things you’ll need to do earlier than you dive in to make sure that you don’t do any harm whereas cleansing your window remedies. As your first step, “all the time examine the material tags previous to laundering,” says Nelson, including that some curtains and drapes can solely be dry cleaned. For delicate materials, like silk, you’ll need to you’ll want to give them further TLC, even when they’re machine cleanable. Moreover, you’ll need to shake your curtains (ideally outdoor) to take away any mud, dust, or pet hair that’s constructed up over time. 

Pure cotton material can shrink until it has been preshrunk and processed earlier than buying, in keeping with Nelson. You’ll want to examine the care directions. “In case you are not sure, all the time wash in chilly water,” she continues. On the subject of drying, you’ll need to observe these care directions to a T. “Don’t over-dry to forestall shrinkage.”

Lace is gorgeous however might be difficult to launder, shares Nelson. A lot of these drapes do greatest when washed gently in a sink or bathtub. Nelson recommends mixing water and a tablespoon of light liquid detergent. Gently swirl the water across the lace curtains. Then, rinse in chilly water after eradicating. Air dry to protect the form and texture. 

Silk might be washed within the washer when indicated by the label, however Nelson says you’ll need to be conscious of silk curtains with embroideries that may shrink and tighten when washed or coloration bleeding. “It’s greatest to scrub silk curtains with child shampoo and chilly water,” she says. “After washing, roll the silk in a towel to take in any extra water after which cling them to air dry.”

Like cotton, Nelson says linen tends to shrink when submerged in scorching water. “Sizzling water may weaken the fibers,” she explains. Sadly, chilly water received’t precisely do the trick both, because it doesn’t take away all the dust and oils from the drapes. 

“The bottom line is to scrub linens in lukewarm water,” she says, including that you simply’ll should be further cautious about separating these kinds of materials by coloration — you must by no means combine white linens in with coloured linens — and also you’ll need to keep away from the dryer altogether. As an alternative, Nelson says you’ll want to put these flat to dry after you’re achieved washing them.

Should you’ve seen your curtains wanting somewhat worse for the damage after washing, it’s possible you’ll need to strive Nelson’s go-to hack for getting drapes wanting new once more: steaming them whereas they’re hanging again on the curtain rod. 

In fact, there could also be some messes that you simply simply can’t sort out by yourself, which is when Nelson says it’s okay to name within the professionals. “In case your curtains/drapes have stains, water spots, or mildew, take them to your native dry cleansing skilled,” she suggests.

With all these steps to observe it is smart that you simply’d need to keep away from having to scrub your curtains and drapes any greater than you’ll want to, which is why Nelson says you must do some gentle cleansing in between washes. “Shake out the curtains as soon as per week to launch mud and pet hair, and vacuum your property at the least weekly,” she suggests. 

“You can even use a delicate, dry microfiber fabric to rubdown the curtains to launch mud,” Nelson continues. “In case you have a handheld vacuum or upholstery nozzle, use the bottom stage of suction to softly run the nozzle down the material from prime to backside.”