How to Clean Curtains and Drapery?

How to Clean Curtains and Drapery?

Air quality, allergies and common cold become worse in spring. You can vacuum your couch, deep clean the rugs, and dust every surface of your interiors. However, spring irritants continue flourishing in those areas that are highly neglected during the cold season. Yes, we are talking of the curtains and drapes that attracts and gathers dust, pet hair, dander and even mold spores. Over time, these irritants accumulated over your window treatments, making them look dingy.

 

printed velvet curtains

 

 

Every time you closes and open these dirty curtains, the dust, and other debris swirls around in your home’s air. These debris eventually lands on your furniture and floors, making your home and its décor look and smell dirty.  If you suffer from indoor allergies, washing your curtains regularly will really help ease symptoms. 

 

How to Clean Your Curtains?

orange velvet curtain

 

The best way to clean the curtains depends highly on the materials that the manufacturers use in making the curtains. Therefore, it is essential to check the fabrics before cleaning the curtains. It is better to start with a seasonal cleaning and then proceed with the maintenance cleaning instructions. However, if you are unsure the types of curtains you have, we request you to stick to the maintenance cleaning instructions. This will prevent your window coverings from getting damaged.

 

Test For Colorfastness Before Cleaning Drapes or Curtains

Your drapes and curtains might seem to be perfect for machine or hand washing. However, you must always ensure to test the fabric and make sure it is colorfast. For testing the colorfastness, pick a hidden corner of the fabric in a small bowl or warm water and detergent to check if the color bleeds. If the fabric bleeds colors, it is the best to seek professional cleaning services.

 

Cleaning Curtains Made of Various Fabrics

Cleaning Cotton Drapes and Curtains

embroidered cotton curtain

 

If your cotton and drapes are unlined, it better to go for hand or machine washing. You need to follow these steps for cleaning curtains.

 

Pre-treating Stains

Cotton drapery and curtains tend to show stains and spots more than other fabrics. Stains tend to show up on curtains from fingers that touch the fabric. Inspect the window treatments for stains before washing. Cotton curtains require treating the stains and spot cleaning before washing them in your machine or hand-washing them.

Wash on Gentle

Choose cold water and the delicate cycle. Use mild laundry detergent for the washer. Give the drapes or curtains plenty of room in the washing machine so they are not crushed, especially as they tumble or agitate.

Drying the Curtains on Low Heat

Place the curtains in a machine dryer and choose low-heat. When the drapes or curtains are about 95 percent dry, remove them from the dryer. Removing them before they are completely dry will avoid wrinkles from setting in.

Iron them When Damp

Carefully iron the slightly damp cotton window treatments if necessary. Always iron cotton fabric on the cotton setting. Iron on the wrong side of the fabric, and use a pressing cloth to prevent scorching. Rehang the curtains to dry completely and to eliminate any errant wrinkles.

 

Cleaning Silk Drapes or Curtains

pink silk satin curtains

 

Most silk drapes and curtains are hand washable, which require mild dishwashing soap and gentle hand action. You can also treat other delicate fabrics the same way. You need to hang them up for drying.

Hand washing

You need to fill large sink with lukewarm to cool water, add a mild detergent in it to create suds. Immerse the silk curtains and gently squeeze off the suds through the silk. Keep rinsing the fabric until the water no longer sudsy. Place fabric as flat as possible on a thick bath towel. Gently roll the towel and squeeze our excess water.

Drying and Ironing the Fabric

Hang the silk curtains indoors for drying, but remember not to place them near the source of heat while drying. You need to iron the silk draperies and curtains very carefully if necessary. It is the best to iron the silk curtains when the fabric is uniformly damp. Ironing dry silk may create water stains. Set the iron on a low setting or a silk setting. Iron the silk on the wrong side and use a pressing cloth over the fabric to protect it from scorching

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