There is no point denying the fact that curtains add character and charm to a room. They can brighten your day and calm you down, protect you from the harsh sun and give you some much-needed privacy. However, after using them for a while, any type of curtain fabric will get dirty, fade away, and even start to smell. As a result, they require good care and maintenance of curtains in the form of regular cleaning. Curtain cleaning is important if you want your drapes and curtains to look fresh and last long.
Even if you choose the best fabric with the ideal length and color for your curtains, they will still get dirty and lose their freshness after a while. This is true for all window treatments, including Khus curtains and blinds.
We know how much effort goes into choosing and making curtains for your home, and we would want to help you make them last as long as possible. We hope these curtain cleaning tips will help you learn how to clean curtains at home.
Curtain Care Tips
If you want to know how to clean curtains, how to deep clean curtains, how to clean curtains at home, how often to wash curtains, how to clean curtains while hanging, how to clean curtains without washing, here are some curtain care tips to help your curtains last longer:
Reduce Exposure to Sunlight
The colours on curtains can fade away from too much exposure to the sun. If you have light coloured fabric curtains at your home, they will reflect light and resist fading, while the dark coloured curtains will absorb light and fade. Draw your curtains back or up during the daytime to stop them from fading too fast. You can ignore this tip if you have sheer fabrics or curtains that have been designed to stay drawn. You can use blinds and shades to protect the curtains from the sun. Wood blinds are a great choice because you get quailty and style. Wood blinds from comapines like Hunter Douglas Wood Blinds, are also a selling feature to potential buyers.
Ensure Curtains Are Of Perfect Length
Having curtains of the perfect length will ensure that they don’t get dirty too fast. If they are too long, they will drag on the floor and pick up dirt or get stepped on by the people and pets in your house. Curtains that are too long will also get tugged on, and this can damage the track or poles.
What Is The Perfect Length For A Curtain?
For short curtains, it would be ideal for the length to be just below the bottom frame of the window. Long curtains should be just above the floor. It’s preferable if the curtains don’t touch the floor.
Note: If you want your curtains to puddle at the base of your windows, make sure that you use this style in a room that doesn’t see too many visitors.
Vacuum Your Curtains Often
Curtains tend to gather dust and as a result, lighter coloured fabrics get discoloured. Ideally, you should vacuum clean your curtains once a month, so they will be easier to clean. Use the soft brush attachment when vacuuming, so that you get out as much dust as possible.
Remove any detachable embellishments or loose trims before vacuuming the curtains to prevent damage. If they can’t be removed, vacuum around them.
Read the Instructions
If you bought ready-made curtains from a store, you can bet that they came with curtain care instructions. If the instructions say to dry-clean curtains, then give them to a dry cleaner. In case they are safe for a machine wash, you can wash them at home in your washing machine.
Washing the ‘dry-clean only’ curtains in a washing machine will either ruin them or make them shrink. Both these outcomes are the worst and will leave your curtains unusable.
When In Doubt, Dry Clean Your Curtains
Cleaning curtains is a vital part of curtain care. If you are unsure of how to wash curtains, dry cleaning is the safest bet. Give your curtains to a professional instead of taking a risk and using commercial sprays.
If your curtains are lined, don’t wash them in a machine. The inner lining and the curtain can shrink differently.
Wash Alone In Machine
Wash the draperies only if it is labeled washable. If your curtains can be washed in a machine, make sure that you wash them alone. Don’t put in any other clothing or other items along with your curtains. This will prevent your drapes from getting stained with other colours. Again, read the instructions to know exactly how to clean curtains in the washing machine.
Before throwing your curtains into the machine, check if the fabric is preshrunk. Make sure you remove all rings before putting them into the machine for a wash. Furthermore, use cold water and mild detergent so that they don’t shrink. This is a crucial part of the care and maintenance of curtains.
Use Gentle Detergents
While machine-washing or hand washing delicate curtains, be sure to use gentle detergents. Follow the instructions on the tag before washing. This will make your curtains last longer and stay soft.
Don’t Tumble Dry Your Curtains
Dry your curtains naturally, either indoors or outdoors if there is enough air. Tumble drying your curtains can damage them, even if they are made of sturdy materials. What you can do instead of tumble drying is wringing your curtains to drain as much water as possible. Drip them dry afterwards. Thicker fabrics can be ironed on low heat after drying. Be sure not to burn them.
Steam Clean Your Curtains
If you want to know how to clean curtains while hanging, steam cleaning is the best option. It is good to steam clean your curtains, as it helps remove any remaining bacteria and odors after a wash. Call a professional to do the steam cleaning of the curtains at home if you don’t know how to do so.
Conclusion
Curtains are an investment, as you buy or make them with the intention of using them for a long time. Curtain care and curtain cleaning at home is important to keep this investment safe. We hope these curtain care tips have been useful to you and will help your curtains look and stay fresh and beautiful.
If you wish to buy new curtains and want to explore new materials, here’s a detailed blog for you:
Furthermore, we also have a comparison between window curtains, blinds and shades for making a correct choice:
Window Curtains vs Blinds vs Shades: Make the Correct Choice
Window Blinds vs Curtains: Choose the Right Window Treatment
Image Courtesy: Image 4, Image 5, Image 8, Image 9
Author Bio
Andrea Noronha – Andrea Noronha is a content writer and editor with over 4 years of experience. Although she comes from a finance background, Andrea is passionate about blogging about interior design. Her other interests include travelling, baking, and digital marketing.
