Clean curtains make the house feel fresh and free of contaminants like dust which can discolor them. You can hand wash the curtains or dry clean them depending on the material they’re made of. But can you wash curtains in a washing machine?
You can machine wash your curtains. However, not all curtains are washable through a washing machine which depends on the fabric they’re made of. Polyester, linen, or cotton curtains are machine washable. Before washing your curtains, know their fabrics to help determine the cycle temperature and avoid damaging them.
Read on to understand whether you can wash curtains in a washing machine and how to do it.
Best Ways to Clean Curtains
You can clean your curtains at home using different methods according to the material they are made of. The best ways to clean the curtains include;
Using A Washing Machine
If you have a washing machine at home, you can use it to wash your curtains. The machine helps conserve time as you’ll not have to wait for the curtains to dry. When you opt to wash your curtains in a washing machine, ensure it doesn’t damage the materials. Then wash them on a gentle cycle in cool or warm water using a mild detergent. Also, don’t overload the washing machine to prevent the curtains from creasing.
You can wash the curtains of a given window per washing cycle to have it easy. Start with the curtains for the longer side, then move to the shorter side for each cycle. After washing the curtain,s you can air dry them or look for the best way to coordinate the loads and drying cycles to have an easy time.
If your washing machine has a specific program for washing curtains, use it according to the directions. But if it doesn’t have this feature set the washer according to the kind of curtain you have. For example, for a cotton curtain, set the cycle at 30 degrees and the spin-dryer at 600. Light linen curtains should be machine washed at a 30 degrees cycle and spin dry at 4000.
Dry Cleaning Curtains
If you have heavy and larger curtains, the best way to clean them is by dry cleaning. Additionally, dry cleaning is the best option if they are made of velvet, tapestry, wool, or chenille. You can do this using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
Before doing this, use a mesh to tape the brush if the curtains are lighter. Also, shake off the sheers and other lightweight window coverings. Alternatively, you can dry clean the curtains using a damp cloth if they’re colorfast.
Hand Washing
Consider hand-washing if your curtains are lightweight and prone to wrinkle or snag when wet. Use cold water and a liquid detergent to wash these curtains. Before washing, shake off the dust and any pet hair on the curtains.
Wash each panel using soapy water for about 10 minutes and swirl them to remove any dirt. Then drain the water and, refill the sink/basin with cold water, submerge the curtains to remove the remaining soap residue. You can then air dry your curtains in the drying lines.
How To Wash Big Curtains?
Big curtains can be challenging to wash as they are heavier when wet. So, it’s advisable to dry clean them or use a washing machine. If you decide to machine wash them, ensure you give them adequate space in the washer.
You can use the following steps to machine wash your bigger curtains to prevent them from rotting or triggering allergies.
Machine Washing Big Curtains
- Remove the hooks and the curtain weights.
- Then test if your curtains are colorfast. You can use warm water and detergent to test if your curtains bleed. If they’re bleeding, it’s best to call professional cleaners to wash them on your behalf. However, if the curtains are not bleeding, go ahead, and machine washes them.
- After that, pre-stain the curtains. This is after checking for the stains by touching them.
- Wash the curtains on a gentle cycle. Use cold water and set the washer on a delicate cycle. Also, use mild detergent and ensure the curtains have enough room that prevents them from crushing.
- Dry the curtains on low heat. Then remove them when they’re about 95% dry. Doing this will reduce the wrinkles the curtains will have, reducing your work when ironing.
- Finally, iron the curtains. You will have an easy time ironing slightly damp curtains as the wrinkles get to disappear faster. Iron your cotton curtains on cotton settings and iron them on the wrong side. Also, use a pressing cloth to avoid scorching.
- Don’t forget to rehang your curtains on the curtain rods to have them dry better.
Dry Clean the Big Curtains
If you have a vacuum cleaner, cleaning the bigger curtains at home will save you some cash. However, if you don’t have it consider working with professional cleaners to have the curtains in good shape. You can search for these service providers around you and have them work on your big curtains.
When using a vacuum cleaner, set it on reduced suction to avoid drawing the curtains on the nozzle. You can have a plastic screen between the curtain and nozzle to prevent this.
Steam Clean the Curtains
You can also steam clean your big curtains to reduce the workload. Use the best steam cleaner with a good upholstery attachment. Then start cleaning from the top going down. However, if you realize that your curtains are getting wet in the process, go some steps back from the curtains.
When using a steam cleaner, you should be careful and stick to the manufacturer’s guidelines. This is because the steamer can burn you or damage your curtains. Also, wear the appropriate clothing to be safe.
How Often Should Curtains Be Washed?
Generally washing curtains is tiresome and it can make you avoid cleaning them. However, not cleaning the curtains increases dust accumulation, triggering allergic reactions. Dirty curtains will also make your house look untidy and increase its chances of rotting.
It’s best to wash the curtains regularly to avoid all these. This should be after every three months or less to see them last longer. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dust or do regular maintenance on the curtains.
The number of times you will have to wash your curtains depends on several factors. Below are what you need to consider to determine how often to wash curtains:
The Dust Level in Your Area
If you’re living in a dusty area, your curtains can get dirty faster. This will require you to wash them more often to avoid spoiling the curtains. Wash them more than once in three months since dust will interfere with the quality of the fabric.
Regular curtains washing will also reduce the chances of experiencing airborne diseases that enter your house through the dust particles.
If You Are a Smoker
Another reason that should make you wash your curtains often is if you’re a smoker. Smoke particles and smell get trapped on the curtains. With time the curtains will start to discolor, affecting their beauty and durability. The best way out of this is to wash them after two months and open windows when smoking to diffuse the smoke.
If You Suffer from Allergies
If you or any of your family members suffer from allergic reactions, you must curb the causes by regularly cleaning your curtains. Remember curtains trap allergens like dust, pollen, or mold that are allergy triggers. To stop the allergic reactions, you’ve got to deal with the possible causes like dust, dirt, or mold on the curtains.
Bottom Line
Washing curtains is never an easy task. However, you can have an easy time washing them with a washing machine, especially if they’re cotton or linen curtains. Depending on their size and fabrics, you can also hand-wash, vacuum, or steam-wash the curtains. Remember to clean the curtains regularly to have them last longer.
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