Curtains will inevitably grow dusty and dirty after some time. But what do you do when this happens? It’s easier to address dirty blinds. All you need to do is clean them off with a duster or damp cloth. But what about curtains? Is it possible to put curtains in the washing machine? Well, let’s look a little further into this to see what the best way to clean your curtains is.
Can I Put My Curtains in the Washing Machine?
Whether or not you can throw your curtains in the washing machine boils down to one factor: the fabric. There are many different materials that your curtains may be made out of.
The best candidates for the washing machine are made of cotton, polyester, linen, or nylon. Just be sure that the cotton and linen aren’t lined. Polyester and nylon must be machine-washed because they can’t withstand the chemicals used in dry cleaning. When you wash any of these types of curtains, be sure to set your washing machine to gentle at a cold temperature.
Silk, velvet, or organza curtains won’t hold up in a washing machine. Curtains featuring elaborate box pleats, embroidered raised stitching, or other delicate embellishments also won’t do well in a washing machine. Consider hand-washing or dry cleaning these types of curtains.
Regardless of the fabric type, always check the care label to see if there are cleaning instructions. If your curtains don’t have a label and you aren’t sure what material they’re made of, you can perform a spot test on a concealed area to see if water will stain it.
If you have old, sun-damaged curtains, they might be on the fragile side. Take extra care to either hand wash or machine wash on gentle to keep them intact. Vacuuming off the dust before you wash them may also aid in protecting them.
When Should I Dry Clean?
If your curtains are made of silk, velvet, or organza you should take them to the dry cleaner. You should also dry clean any curtains with intricate design elements and ornamentation too. Even “washable fabrics” can be prone to shrink in the washing machine. If there are no care instructions attached to your curtains, it can also be a good idea to err on the side of caution and take them to the dry cleaner.
How To Clean Non-Machine Washable Curtains
If your curtains are made of delicate fabric or they’re sun-damaged, handwashing them could be your best bet. Find a gentle cleaning solution to dilute in cold water. We suggest Persil Non-Bio Liquid Detergent or Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds All-Purpose Cleaner.
You can use a bath or large sink to hand wash your curtains. Using a larger basin will make it easier to clean the entire panel in one go. Let the curtains soak for a short amount of time and rinse. Be sure you don’t leave them in the water too long as this can damage certain fabrics.
Silk curtains will need a bit more added caution when hand-washed. Don’t allow the fabric to twist and don’t wring it out when you’re done cleaning it. Velvet is another fabric that requires special care. Never submerge this material. Instead, use a chamois rag dipped in hot water to gently brush through the fabric. Be sure the rag is as wrung out as possible.
Can You Put Curtains In The Dryer?
If you have machine-washable curtains, then yes. You can put them in the dryer.
It might be a good idea to consider drying your curtains on a gentle cycle with low heat for a maximum of ten to fifteen minutes. This will help to get the wrinkles out as well as assure the longevity of your curtains. Alternatively, you can hang your curtains on a line somewhere sunny with good airflow. Once they’re almost dry, lay them flat so the weight of the dripping water doesn’t distort their shape.
How Often Should I Wash My Curtains?
There’s no one answer. This will depend on a number of factors. For instance, some homes are simply more prone to collect dust than others. And some homeowners may leave their windows open more than others leading to dirt and debris making its way inside and on their curtains.
It’s not a bad idea to start with a baseline of two deep cleans a year for all curtains. If your home is on the dustier side or you smoke inside, you might want to wash your curtains every other month. If you want to spruce them up between cleans, use the brush attachment of your vacuum to lift dust and debris from the surface.
