Cleaning Curtains 101

Curtains are a great way to help filter the sun’s blaring heat while still letting enough sunshine to make the room bright. But they do get dirty fast since they are made of materials that can absorb dust easily. Cleaning your curtains regularly is needed to keep the room dust-free.

Don't keep the curtains waiting! You can even clean them out with just vinegar and a gentle soap solution like your dish-washing liquid. First, take your curtains down and examine the fabric. Is there any rot or staining because of exposure to the sun? Don't even clean sun-rotted fabrics. They will be weak and will tear up easily, and you can simply buy new curtains instead. Are there moth holes or tears due to insects? The same is true: you'll need to get new curtains instead of patching up the ones that you have.

If you are using curtains without lining, you need to follow the instruction label in order to clean them. Such curtains can be ruined easily, so you might have to dry clean them. If you have large curtains, avoid dumping them in the washing machines. The metal hooks or holes that line large curtains can damage your washer, and the weight of heavy curtains can make washing an even greater burden on your machine. Unless you have an industrial strength and size machine, resort to your bathtub instead.

If you do not have the time to wash your curtains, you can simply place them in the dryer with dryer sheets or, better yet, fabric softener. After half an hour, remove the curtains and hang them up again.

To maintain your curtains during the week, vacuum them and take out their dust. You might want to keep your vacuum cleaner at its lowest setting so that you do not damage the fabric. This way, you can keep the fabric strong and free from blemishes without spending too much time cleaning your curtain out.