How To Clean Your Curtains Properly

Curtains are great for insulation, keeping out drafts and adding privacy to your home, but they can be a real pain to clean!  They absorb smells such as cooking, cigarette smoke and pet smells and hair and it can be hard to know exactly how to clean them.

Washing Lightweight Curtains

If your curtains are net or made of a lightweight fabric, you will most likely to be able to put them in your washing machine. However, take the time to check the material so that they do not shrink in the wash and only wash on a cold wash cycle.   You may also be able to handwash, but tackle these one at a time as they can become heavy when wet and overstuffing your machine with more than one curtain at a time could possibly damage your machine. Air dry them outside for best results and to avoid the curtains taking too long to dry out and giving off a damp and stale smell.

Caring For Heavy Material Curtains

Heavy curtains tend to be made of more expensive materials and should not be tackled with a home wash. As your local home cleaner to arrange a professional clean, or take to your local dry cleaners. You may also be able to use a steam cleaner to freshen up your heavy curtains without having to take them down, which can be a long and difficult task, especially if you have matching pelmets and tiebacks to deal with.

Maintaining Your Curtains

By vacuuming your curtains regularly you will be able to reduce the dust which gathers over time, this is also helpful if you have people with asthma or allergies in the home. Most vacuum cleaners will have extenders and attachments which will help you to get the job done quickly and easily. Spray regularly with Glen20 or Febreze to keep on top of food, smoke and pet smells, better still, regularly put your curtains outside for a good airing. It’s amazing the difference this can make and how fresh your home will smell and feel when you bring them back inside.

If in doubt, leave it to the professionals to clean your curtains properly. Ask your home cleaner, or call into your local dry cleaners. Curtains can be expensive, and a strong feature in your home, so maintaining them with ease and keeping them clean can make all the difference to the look and feel of your home.