Dusty and dirtydrapes and curtainsare not only unsightly but can be a health issue for people with allergies.
Forweekly care, you’re free to use the upholstery attachment on yourvacuum cleanerto vacuum drapes.
Vacuuming your drapes every week will help reduce allergies as well.
The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa
Use the soft brush attachment when vacuuming.
If it does, or any other noticeable changes occur, take it to a professional cleaner instead.
Pre-Treat Stains
Cotton drapery and curtains tend to show stains and spots more than other fabrics.
The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa
Stains tend to show up on curtains from fingers that touch the fabric.
Inspect the window treatments for stains before washing.
Pre-treatstainsand spot clean beforewashing your drapery or curtains.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Wash on Gentle Only
Choose cold water and the delicate cycle.
Use mild laundry detergent for the washer.
Dry on Low Heat
Place the curtains in a machine dryer and choose low-heat.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
When the drapes or curtains are about 95 percent dry, remove them from the dryer.
Removing them before they are completely dry will avoid wrinkles from setting in.
Iron When Damp
Carefully iron the slightly damp cotton window treatments if necessary.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Always iron cotton fabric on the cotton setting.
Iron on the wrong side of the fabric, and use a pressing cloth to prevent scorching.
Rehang the curtains to dry completely and to eliminate any errant wrinkles.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Separate Colors
Separate light and dark-colored curtains and wash separately.
Wash in Cold Water
Choose cold water, a delicate cycle, and mild laundry detergent.
Do not use chlorine bleach on synthetic drapes and curtains.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Tumble Dry
Machine-dry drapes and curtains in the dryer on low to medium heat.
Hang them as soon as they are dry to prevent wrinkles.
How to Clean Silk Drapes or Curtains
Many silk curtains and drapes are washable by hand.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Use mild dishwashing soap and gentle hand action.
Other delicate fabrics can be treated the same way.
To dry, they should be hung up.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Hand-Wash
Fill a large sink or basin with lukewarm to cool water.
Add a mild detergent and swish it around to create suds.
Immerse the silk into the water.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Gently squeeze suds through the silk.
Keep rinsing in baths until the water is no longer sudsy.
Place fabric as flat as possible on a thick bath towel.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Gently roll the towel to squeeze out excess water.
Iron While Damp
Silk draperies or curtains can be very carefully ironed if necessary.
It’s best to iron silk when the fabric is uniformly damp.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Ironing dry silk may createwater stains.
Set the iron on a low setting or a silk setting.
Add one or two soft, dry terry cloth towels to the dryer.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
The towels will gently prevent the sheer fabric from balling up while tumbling.
Take the curtains out while slightly damp to avoid wrinkles.
Not all commercialdry cleanersare experienced with cleaning fine draperies.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
