In every room, an originally designed window is considered an excellent decoration. Over time, any textile gets dirty, dust and soot accumulate on it, and the material absorbs odors. Therefore, you need to know how to wash curtains in washing machine-machine. More on this later in the article.

Is washing allowed?

Home textiles accumulate a lot of dust and dirt, so it is important to wash them regularly. This can be done manually using modern cleaning powders. Can curtains be washed in a washing machine? It all depends on the material from which they are made and on the decor.

Silk, organza, veil

How can such curtains be washed in a washing machine? The finest delicate materials require appropriate care. They should be washed in water at temperatures up to 30 degrees. In this case, it is necessary to set the delicate mode or wash by hand. There is no need to soak in advance, since dirt can be easily removed. Thanks to this property of thin fabrics, the use of household chemicals can be completely eliminated.

Curtains are placed in a special bag in the machine, and the drum should not be filled with other things. Spinning is contraindicated; textiles should be removed in a semi-damp state and wait a little for the water to drain. Before attaching to the window, silk and semi-organza must be ironed (through the material, at a low temperature), but organza and veil do not require ironing.

Tulle

Tulle needs careful care. Products can be washed in a delicate cycle and without the spin function. The procedure is performed like this:

  1. It is necessary to soak the tulle in warm water for 30 minutes, adding a little washing powder or gel.
  2. The machine is set to delicate mode (water temperature - up to 40 degrees). You need to turn off the automatic spin - and you can add tulle.
  3. After this, the tulle is removed from the drum, shaken without squeezing and laid out on the wire rack.
  4. Organza and veil can be immediately hung on the cornice, where they straighten out perfectly.
  5. To prevent the tulle from becoming too wrinkled when washed, it is placed in a pillowcase or bag.

After washing, you must rinse the product thoroughly using the additional rinse function. This is what quality care is all about.

Acrylic and viscose

How to wash curtains in this type of washing machine? Acrylic and viscose are washed at a temperature of 30 - 40 degrees. Requires installation with added products for thin and delicate materials. Acrylic products “harden” due to exposure to sunlight, so conditioners must be used.

There is no need to wring out curtains made from such fabrics. You should wait until the water drains, but you can squeeze the material through the sheet. Ironing should be done through damp cloth at a temperature of 150 degrees, moving in the direction of the pile.

Linen and cotton

How to wash linen curtains and cotton curtains in a washing machine? Finished linen fabrics are processed at a temperature of 40 degrees, and dyed ones - at 60.

Cotton is not delicate fabric: Curtains made from it are thick and durable. They can be washed using ordinary powder at a temperature of 50 - 60 degrees. Products should be dried at room temperature: heating may cause shrinkage. They need to be ironed slightly damp.

Polyester

How to wash curtains made of such fabric in a washing machine? Polyester can be washed using detergents for delicate materials. low temperatures up to 40 degrees - this helps prevent wrinkles from occurring when washing. If ironing is necessary, select the “Silk” mode and use a damp cloth.

Taffeta

This fabric is not afraid of contact with hot water(50 degrees), and it is preferable not to select the spin and “standard” washing mode. It is necessary to use products for delicate materials and remove the curtains damp.

Velvet

Are they machine washable? It is preferable to dry clean velvet items: capricious fabric needs professional care and may lose its appearance due to improper care.

If you want to wash them at home, then you need to turn the curtains inside out, folding them so that they cannot “unfold” during washing. You should choose a delicate mode and a temperature of up to 30 degrees. It is necessary to set the minimum washing time - velvet shrinks due to prolonged exposure to water and detergents. Dry curtains in a horizontal position.

Atlas

Such products look more sophisticated and elegant. With them, any interior becomes rich. But in addition to dirt and dust, stains may appear on them. To remove them, dishwashing detergent can be used (if the stain is greasy). A stain remover is also used for colored materials. After removing the stain, satin curtains are washed in a machine, setting the “manual mode”.

When is machine washing prohibited?

It is preferable to wash chintz by hand in water at room temperature, slightly salted. While rinsing, add vinegar (1 tbsp). Only hand wash can be used for wool. You can't choose for her household chemicals, only shampoo is suitable.

On the eyelets

How to properly wash curtains of this type in a washing machine? Curtains with eyelets are among the most practical: many manufacturers make rings from durable materials that are not damaged even when machine washed.

The principles of care are as follows:

  1. You should not remove the grommets before washing, but the curtains should be placed in a bag. Then the drum of the machine and the coating of the rings will be safe. After washing, the item must be taken out immediately, otherwise the eyelets may fade.
  2. The suitable water temperature is 30 degrees, and a gentle regime must be set.
  3. You cannot use powder, you must use shampoo.
  4. If the rings are made of inexpensive plastic, then they must be removed before washing.

Thread curtains

In the washing machine? Before this, they must be tied into separate groups of threads using a weak knot, so as not to unravel them later. Then the curtains are placed in a special washing bag.

Synthetic fabric easily “gives off” dust and dirt, so it should be washed briefly and in a gentle mode. Spin can be used. Then you need to hang the damp curtains on the curtain rod and let them dry. Thanks to their own weight, they straighten out and regain their original appearance. Now you know how to wash filament curtains in a washing machine. It's not difficult at all.

Blackout

How to wash blackout curtains in a washing machine? Curtains that provide absolute darkness in the room are easy to maintain. Washing can be done in any mode. For this, use regular powder. You don’t have to iron the items, then you shouldn’t wring them out, the water will drain out of them. Slightly damp fabric straightens itself on the cornice.

White curtains

Such curtains turn yellow over time. For this reason, they are bleached before washing. Instead of special bleaches that have an aggressive effect on materials, table salt is used. It must be added to the water (1 tbsp is added per 1 liter of water). The curtains are soaked in the resulting solution, and after washing they regain their original appearance. It is better to dry white curtains on fresh air.

How to wash curtains in an automatic washing machine depends on the type of material. Care recommendations should also be taken into account:

  1. Curtains must be removed carefully so as not to damage or lose the fittings.
  2. Do not wash with other items.
  3. You should not “clog” the drum: it must be at least half empty: otherwise the material will not be rinsed properly and there will be stains on it.
  4. Curtains with decorative details (for example, glass beads) should only be washed in a special bag.
  5. If the type of material from which the curtains are made is not determined, you should not risk machine washing. It is better to use hand wash.
  6. Care instructions on the manufacturer's label must be followed.

How often should I wash?

How often should curtains and tulle be washed? At first glance, it may seem that the curtains do not need to be cleaned for a long time, since they do not get dirty. But in fact, products absorb a lot over time harmful components:

  • dust;
  • car exhaust gases;
  • dangerous impurities.

These factors lead to allergies and asthma. The frequency of washing depends on:

  • time of year;
  • place of residence;
  • number of floors of the house.

Removing stains

Stains on the curtains spoil the overall appearance of the room. There are many ways to eliminate them, but the following rules should apply to all:

  • remove dust before cleaning;
  • if there is a lining, it should be torn off;
  • stains are removed with a swab, sprinkling the edges with starch;
  • The material must be cleaned from the edges to the central part of the stain;
  • The cleaned area should be watered with clean water.

Grease stains often appear on curtains, especially in the kitchen. Fresh contamination easier to remove than the old one. This procedure is performed as follows:

  1. Grease stains are sprinkled with talcum powder or starch. Place paper under the material. Leave it like this for a day.
  2. A fresh stain can be removed with the pulp of black bread.
  3. Stains can be removed with chalk or tooth powder.
  4. Old stains are removed with a solution of ammonia and glycerin.

Thus, many curtains can be washed at home. You just need to take into account the material from which they are made and the availability of fittings.

Curtains, as you know, need to be changed at least twice, and preferably three times a year. In addition, the rest of the time they just need to be ventilated frequently. Open windows will rid the product of dampness and accumulated foreign odors. You can collect dust from them with a vacuum cleaner, or simply shake them outside. But, despite all these, even regular actions, it is necessary to wash curtains. But how many housewives are tormented by the question: “How to wash curtains at home?” We'll try to answer.

All types of curtains can be dry cleaned. But today not every person can afford this pleasure, and therefore, most of us wash the curtains ourselves. But here's how to figure it out the right approach for this event? After all, today there is such a wide range of materials from which curtains are made that sometimes you can’t even tell what they are made of.

How to wash curtains? This question is asked by many housewives of houses and apartments who have decorated their window openings in one of the modern styles.

Curtains made of artificial or mixed fabrics, as well as light curtains made of cotton, can easily survive washing. The task of washing curtains is a very responsible job, and we always want to return the products to their original cleanliness and texture. To do this you need to adhere to some general rules when washing products. They are used for curtains made of any type of fabric.

Tips from a professional for caring for curtains:

  • When removing curtains, be careful not to accidentally damage the product;
  • After removal, the curtain or curtain needs to be shaken out so that the bulk of the dust flies off;
  • Before washing, products are usually soaked, but pay attention to the quality of the fabric, it may have the property of “fading”;
  • If, after soaking, very dirty water has formed in the container, then drain it and repeat the soaking procedure again;
  • After washing, the curtains must be rinsed thoroughly and carefully hung to dry.

You need to iron the products carefully, with a not very hot iron, so as not to spoil them.

Let's look at how to wash tulle in an automatic washing machine.

Even the simplest material can show itself differently during the washing process. In view of this, even before starting the washing process, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the recommendations of the manufacturer that produced this product.

How to wash tulle in an automatic washing machine, and is it worth doing it at all? Let's try to sort this issue out. The fact is that you cannot rub the curtains during hand washing.

This leads to rapid wear of the fabric. By hand, you can only soak the items for further washing in an automatic machine. If you set the washing mode correctly, the machine will do everything for you.

How to properly wash curtains in a machine:

  • Set the machine to a delicate wash cycle;
  • Do not overload the drum; this is unacceptable when washing curtains;
  • Try to put enough detergent in the machine;
  • Wash products at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees;
  • Before loading, check the product for any frayed or protruding threads and remove them;
  • Do not load fabrics of different types, especially colors, into the drum;
  • Pre-pack thread curtains or products with eyelets in a laundry bag;

Products cannot be wrung out or dried in a machine. Place them on a horizontal surface, let the moisture drain and hang them to dry. Do not wash items at night. You will not be able to control the process and pull the curtains out of the drum on time.

Home comfort, where cleanliness and comfort always reigns, is the desire of every housewife. One of important parts that make up such comfort are white curtains, shining with their purity.

How to properly wash tulle so that it is white? No matter how much effort we make to ensure that our curtains always shine with snow-white purity, sometimes with time and regular washing, tulle begins to lose its whiteness, and even its shape, and becomes gray, yellow, beige, but not white.

But, if you approach this problem correctly, you can properly clean the curtain and restore its previous appearance. To do this, it is necessary to take into account several practical advice professionals.

What do professionals advise:

  1. When washing tulle, it is especially important to find the right powder. In addition, you can use appropriate bleaches and stain removers.
  2. The optimal temperature, which is suitable for washing fabrics such as velvet, linen, cotton, voile, blackout, silk, flock, as well as items made of viscose, organza and satin, should be washed at a temperature of approximately 30-35 degrees. But if you use special means bleaching, which requires a different water temperature, you can heat it up to 40 degrees.
  3. If your tulle fabric is semi-organza, or it is polyester, then you can increase the water temperature to 60 degrees;
  4. If you do not like the effect of the procedure, you can repeat it.
  5. For a better result, the tulle must first be soaked and shaken;
  6. When choosing a detergent, pay attention to whether it is suitable for your tulle.

Do not forget that other products cannot be washed together with tulle curtains. This may have a bad effect on your curtains. And if your product has a label, take into account the information contained in it.

Learning how to properly wash curtains with eyelets

Elegant curtains with eyelets are becoming an increasingly popular and beautiful decorative element for window decoration. They look quite interesting, stylish and truly modern. Eyelets here act not only as fastenings for curtains, but are also an excellent decoration for curtains. However, many housewives are now beginning to be interested in the question of how to properly care for such curtains and how to wash them correctly.

Curtains with eyelets, like all other types of curtains, must be washed carefully. However, there are some rules that apply to washing just such products.

Some housewives think that before wet processing the eyelets need to be removed from the product. There is no need to do this under any circumstances. You will only ruin your curtains. Don't worry, the curtains can be washed in the same condition as they were on your curtain rod. Eyelets will not interfere with proper washing.

For proper washing curtains with eyelets you need to know some information:

  • To begin with, it should be noted that you need to pay attention to the eyelets when purchasing curtains. These accessories must be made of high-quality stainless material.
  • It is best to wash curtains with eyelets by hand.
  • Select the washing mode based on the type of fabric. In most cases, curtains are washed on a delicate program.
  • If you are not a fan of hand washing, but prefer to wash items exclusively in an automatic machine, then place the items in a washing bag first.
  • It is better not to use washing powder. An excellent option for washing curtains with grommets is liquid laundry detergent or regular hair shampoo.
  • To dry, the curtains can be hung on a curtain rod and smoothed by hand. This way they will not lose their shape.
  • After drying, carefully iron the products with a not very hot iron.

As you can see, there is no difficulty in caring for curtains with grommets. If you purchased high-quality products from responsible companies, such as Ikea, then you can consult with a specialist when purchasing curtains on how to properly care for them. The specialist will give you practical recommendations on the use of a particular product, because the fabrics from which your curtains can be sewn differ in both quality and texture.

If your curtains have a complex cut, lambrequins, or a fabric composition that is unclear to you, then it is better not to wash them at home, but to take them to the dry cleaner. There, specialists will wash your product correctly and save you from such an unpleasant procedure as ironing them. You can do the same if you have linen or velvet curtains. It is almost impossible to wash, let alone iron, linen and velvet products yourself.

How to wash curtains at home, especially if we are talking about luxurious curtains made of noble velvet, or draped curtains with eyelets? Interior textiles today are so rich and varied that for many housewives it becomes a real problem to find the right answer to this question.

In addition, it is important not only to wash the curtains, but also to dry them properly and then iron them so that they look as beautiful and presentable as before washing. How to remove various stains on fabric, for example, from splashes of wine, coffee, or traces of greasy fingers?

To ensure that your curtain in the living room, bedroom or kitchen is always pleasing to the eye and maintains its impeccable appearance and functionality for many years, use useful recommendations experts in this matter.

Before deciding how to wash the curtains, you need to find out whether they can be washed at all, or whether only dry cleaning is acceptable. If machine or hand wash are allowed, the following basic rules should be followed:

  1. Do not load the washing machine drum very tightly - the fabric simply will not wash, even if it is thin or light organza.
  2. Be sure to sort your curtains by fabric type and color. You cannot wash colorful chintz curtains from the kitchen together with light chiffon curtains from the living room.
  3. It is preferable to use liquid laundry concentrates. Loose powder can be difficult to rinse out of textile fibers and leave noticeable streaks. If there is no liquid detergent, you should turn on the additional rinse mode after finishing the main wash.
  4. Regardless of the type of fabric in an automatic machine, curtains can only be washed in the “hand wash” or “hand wash” mode. delicate wash" Spinning at high speeds can lead to tearing of the fabric, so it is better to avoid it.
  5. If the curtains are very dirty, covered with various stains, then before washing the curtains, they need to be soaked in a basin with stain remover and washing powder or soap. Any detergent must first be completely dissolved in warm water, and only then soak the textiles.
  6. How to properly wash curtains if they are bulky and simply do not fit in the drum washing machine? Very simple - they are cleaned in the bathroom. To facilitate and speed up the process, heavy, dense curtains are first knocked out or vacuumed using a special attachment.
  7. To make the curtains easier to iron, they do not need to be wrung out and dried in the machine. Ironing curtains is easier and faster if they are slightly damp.

How often should you wash curtains? There are no clear rules here; it all depends on how badly and quickly they become dirty. In summer, when windows and balconies are open, a lot of street dust accumulates on the fabric.

Grease, soot, and tobacco smoke settle on kitchen curtains if someone in the household smokes. Therefore, they need to be cleaned more often. In winter, you can do without washing at all; just vacuum the curtains periodically.

Features of washing thick curtains

Thick curtains include curtains made of satin, velvet, taffeta, and linen. These can be curtains of the following types:

  • roll;
  • Roman;
  • Japanese;
  • multi-tiered lambrequins;
  • regular ones on hooks.

Long-term washing, use of aggressive powders and gels, contact with water high temperatures very undesirable. Therefore, first you should vacuum the curtains, no matter what type or type they are, or at least thoroughly shake off the accumulated dust. If individual stains are noticed, you can try to wipe them off from a dry cloth with a paper eraser.

Didn't help? The stain is then treated with a suitable product depending on its origin and type of fabric. After this, the curtains can be washed completely in an automatic machine or bathtub. Roller, Roman or Japanese curtains simply cannot be rolled up and placed in the drum of a washing machine. How to wash such curtains in the bath?

  1. First, prepare a liquid washing solution - dissolve powder, gel or soap in warm water.
  2. Then, using a sponge or soft brush, apply it to the curtains and clean them.
  3. Finally, the textiles should be rinsed well. This is best done using a shower.
  4. Curtains of this design are dried in a horizontal position. For convenience, you can place stools in the bathtub and straighten the curtains over them. When all the water has drained, the wet curtains are moved to a clothes dryer or table and dried there.
  5. It is not recommended to immediately hang damp curtains on the curtain rod - the fabric may stretch under its own weight.

Silk curtains should be washed with special care, even the material is dense. Only liquid products are used, the maximum water temperature is 30 degrees.

If you are using an automatic machine, you will need a special bag or an old pillowcase for silk curtains. Silk with the addition of viscose can be washed at a temperature of 40-45 degrees; in hot water they can fade and become deformed.

If the curtains have metal eyelets - rings sewn into the fabric through which the cornice is threaded - then they cannot be completely washed even in the bathroom; rust may appear on the fabric around the rings. How to solve the problem? The top edge of the curtains hangs over the edge of the bathtub. And then the curtains are cleaned as recommended above.

How to tidy up thin curtains

The upcoming washing of thin and airy translucent curtains always frightens inexperienced housewives. And it’s completely in vain - there’s nothing complicated about it. Tulle fabrics are indeed very delicate and require a special approach. But they also wash off quickly and easily.

Tulle and organza can be machine washed, but you also need to use a special bag or mesh for this. The “push-up” mode does not turn on; the water temperature should be no higher than 40 degrees. If the curtains are very dusty and dirty, then first soak them for several hours in a basin with a solution of soap or washing powder, or overnight.

After this, just wring out the tulle a little, move it into the drum of the washing machine and turn on the rinse mode. They will be clean and snow-white again.

By the way, organza curtains do not need to be dried or ironed, but hung on the curtain rod immediately after washing. They will look great, the fibers of this fabric quickly straighten under their own weight, but the textile itself does not sag or lose its shape.

Very often, users ask how to wash exclusive curtains made of threads, beads and glass beads. Such products can only be washed by hand. You cannot rub them, you can only perform gentle squeezing movements. The curtains are rinsed from the shower, after which they are allowed to drain and moved to the curtain rod, where they dry completely.

Reading time: 6 minutes

Curtains require thorough cleaning at least twice a year. All the dust that flies in the air settles on them, odors and particles of grease are absorbed into the fabric (for example, in the kitchen). And with all this we are forced to breathe. How to wash curtains correctly? Both tulle and curtains can be dry cleaned or washed yourself, it all depends on the type of fabric, the nature and degree of contamination and the recommendations indicated by the manufacturer.

Which is better

Typically, lightweight curtains made of synthetics or mixed materials are washed at home. Very heavy curtains made of velvet or brocade or very thin silk curtains, as well as those with decorative embellishments, embroidery, and those whose composition you do not know, are best left to specialists.

When it comes to choosing between hand and machine wash, it’s difficult to say which is better. Much depends on your physical capabilities - not every housewife will be able to wash pieces of fabric of such volume.

One thing is certain - washing should be gentle. It is more convenient to wash and soak by hand directly in the bath. In the case of machine washing, it is necessary to take into account both the degree of swelling of the material and the weight of the curtains when wet, so as not to damage the equipment.

Standard blackout curtains

Before washing, they can be soaked in cool water with the addition of powder or liquid detergent. You can leave it in the bath for several hours, changing the water two or three times. Usually, after such a procedure, washing in a machine becomes unnecessary; you just need to lift them several times and dip them in water again and rinse thoroughly.

Cotton, linen

very durable, so they can be safely machine washed at 40°C.

  • For cotton, you can use any powder; for linen, liquid detergent for delicate fabrics is preferable.
  • Undyed flax is not afraid of boiling, so in case of heavy contamination, the temperature can be increased.
  • When loading linen items, it is important not to put too much of them so that there is not enough water and they are washed and rinsed well.
  • The washing mode should be set to “delicate fabrics” or “hand wash”.
  • It is better to turn off the spin to make ironing easier later.
  • After the cycle is completed, allow the water to drain.
  • These curtains are dried at room temperature, away from radiators.
  • It is easier to iron them slightly damp with a hot iron on the appropriate setting - “cotton” or “linen”.

Synthetics

  • and polyacrylic are easy to wash both by hand and in a machine. The water temperature should be around 40 °C.
  • The number of revolutions can be reduced or simply set to “silk” mode. This will prevent folds and creases from appearing.
  • It is important to rinse well.
  • You can dry it by hanging it vertically, away from batteries and direct sunlight.

Viscose

or curtains when wet lose their strength and elasticity, so they must be handled very carefully.

  • It’s better to put them in a laundry bag; if you don’t have one, you can use a pillowcase. This way they don't get deformed.
  • Select mode or “hand wash”.
  • Use detergent for delicate fabrics.
  • Water should not exceed 30 °C.
  • Disable automatic spinning or reduce speed.
  • Allow the water to drain and place on a flat surface, supported by soft, clean material.
  • Iron at 150°C.

Velvet

Typically, such products are not washed at home; they are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or brush, and for deeper cleaning they are sent to a specialized company. If this is not possible, but you need to wash it, you can try to do it yourself, but positive result cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, you must strictly follow the recommendations how to wash velvet curtains.

Before putting them in the washing machine, velvet curtains are folded inside out into a long strip, the width of which is equal to the depth of the drum. Then it is rolled into a cylinder and placed inside. This way they will not become deformed and the pile will not be damaged.

  • The washing time is set to the minimum, “silk” mode.
  • The water temperature should not exceed 30 °C.
  • You cannot squeeze or twist.
  • Velvet should be dried flat on a horizontal surface, face up.

Tulle

Thin and transparent fabrics from natural or synthetic raw materials require especially careful care.

Silk, chiffon, organza, veil

All these fabrics are very delicate and thin. The best way- This is an option with soaking and repeated changes of water. But if you still want to deal with them faster, then just fold them carefully into a special laundry bag and machine wash them on the appropriate mode at a water temperature of 30 °C. In this case, soaking is not required, since dirt can be removed very easily.

  • Use a small amount of liquid powder or gel.
  • You can't push it.
  • Only natural silk will require ironing; organza and veil can simply be hung on the curtain rods, and they will straighten out on their own.

Non-standard

Some products require special care.

With eyelets

  • As a rule, they can be washed both by hand and in a machine. There is no need to remove the iron rings, but such curtains should be carefully folded and placed in a bag. This way the fabric and drum of the machine will not be damaged.
  • Use liquid detergent and hand wash mode.
  • It is important to dry such products quickly so that the metal elements do not tarnish or deteriorate.

Thread curtains

Such decorative elements are very easy to clean.

  • It is necessary to first tie the parts of the threads into strands, so that later they will be easier to untangle. You can use thin soft elastic bands or simply tie loose knots from the threads themselves.
  • Then they are also placed in a washing bag and put on the “hand wash” cycle.
  • You can also use the soaking method.
  • After completing the cycle, they need to be untied and hung on the curtain rod to straighten.

Roman

Before washing, you need to remove all solid (metal or plastic) elements from them. You can wash it manually or in an automatic machine, on a gentle cycle. The water temperature depends on the composition.

Rolled

Such curtains are usually not washed and do not even allow water to get on their surface. They can be easily cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a dry brush.

Blackout

Very dense multi-layered ones, which perfectly protect the room from daylight, the light of night lamps, as well as from noise, are quite unpretentious in maintenance. They can be washed by hand or in a machine. Some of them have special additional treatment with a water-repellent or fire-resistant composition. To prevent the fabric from losing these properties, you need to use a gentle mode and a minimum amount of detergent. Dry such curtains in a straightened state vertically.

When caring for any curtains, you must first of all follow the manufacturer’s recommendations; if you are not sure about the composition of the fabric, give preference to hand washing. Washing very heavy curtains made from natural expensive fabrics, as well as containing various decorative elements It's better to leave it to professionals.

Classic thick curtains and air curtains look impressive, create comfort, protect the room from drafts and bright sunlight. But a lot of dust settles on the curtains, so they need constant care and periodic washing. The rules of care depend not only on the material of the curtains, but also on the style.

Textile care

Depending on their purpose, curtains are made from natural or artificial fabrics, light or thick, colored or plain. If the curtains have a manufacturer's label, no questions arise: it indicates the fabric composition and suitable washing, ironing or dry cleaning modes. But in cases where the exact composition of the fabric is unknown, general rules should be followed:

  • if the curtains are made of velvet, brocade, satin or natural silk, it is better not to try to wash them yourself, but to dry clean them or use the services of a cleaning company;
  • Products made from cotton, linen, viscose or synthetic fabric can be washed. Hand washing is preferable: it is more gentle;
  • Before washing the curtains, they should be freed from dust (shake out well or clean with a vacuum cleaner) and soak for 1-2 hours in cold water with the addition of liquid detergent or shavings of laundry soap (50 g per 10 liters of water). The water needs to be changed 2-3 times;
  • It is recommended to wash with washing gels at a temperature not exceeding +40 Cº, without exposing the fabric to friction;
  • The product must be rinsed thoroughly. Table vinegar with a strength of 9% is added to the last rinse water (at the rate of 1 tablespoon per liter of water);
  • to avoid possible shrinkage of the fabric, you need to wash and rinse curtains with water at the same temperature;
  • After washing, to make ironing easier or to do without it, do not twist the fabric, but only squeeze it lightly with your hands. Then the water is allowed to drain and the panels are dried in a straightened form away from heating devices and direct sunlight.

Washing curtains in a washing machine

If the house does not have the conditions for washing large items, then you will have to use an automatic machine. For textile curtains simple styles (without rigid lambrequins, figured assemblies and permanent decor) made from natural and synthetic fabrics are machine washable. If the manufacturer allows washing in an automatic machine, then it is better to use liquid detergents for delicate fabrics.

When washing curtains in a machine, adhere to the following rules:

  • select the “hand wash” or “delicate” modes: with a water temperature of 30–40 Cº and the spin function disabled;
  • Before washing, completely free the upper edge of the panel from hooks, rings, hangers and other removable decor. The laces of the curtain tape should be securely tied together so that during washing they do not fall into the holes of the drum and are not pulled out of the drawstring;
  • in cases where the fabric has some vulnerable non-removable decor or eyelets, before being immersed in the drum of the machine, the panels are placed in a mesh washing bag or in a large pillowcase (70x70 cm);
  • The drum is loaded to no more than 50% of its volume: there should be room for free rinsing. At the end of the wash cycle, do 1-2 additional rinses to completely remove the detergent. Draperies with lambrequins on them cannot be machine washed. on a solid basis, as well as roller, Roman and Japanese blinds.

Features of washing curtains made of tulle and organza

Before washing, items made from tulle or organza are soaked overnight in a solution of table salt (add 8 tablespoons of salt to 10 liters of warm water). After this procedure, stains are washed off more easily.

When used for a long time, white curtains made of thin materials often acquire a gray or yellow tint, which is difficult to get rid of when washing. Modern tulle and organza – synthetic fabrics, they should not be boiled, but after washing you can use oxygen bleach, then rinse the products again in plenty of water.

If there is no bleach, you can return the whiteness of tulle or organza curtains in another way:

  1. Add to cold water (10 l) ammonia(1 tbsp. spoon) and hydroperite (5 tablets) or 3% hydrogen peroxide (2 tbsp. spoons).
  2. Soak the product in the resulting solution for half an hour, stirring from time to time, then rinse thoroughly in cold water.
  3. After the water has drained, it is best to dry the curtains directly on the curtain rod: then you don’t have to iron them.

Features of washing curtains with eyelets

These curtains look great and are very easy to use: they are easy to hang on a rod and move almost silently along the curtain rod. Eyelets can be detachable or non-detachable, made of metal, wood or plastic. It is better to remove them before washing, but this is only possible if they are detachable. To strengthen the upper edge of the panel, nylon grommet tape with an adhesive layer is often used, so that the holes with the edging removed can withstand washing without deformation.

If the eyelets cannot be removed, then in order not to damage the machine drum and tear the fabric, it is better to put the panel in a special washing bag or wash it by hand. Fabrics with metal or wood inclusions should not be left in soapy water for a long time; it is advisable to reduce the washing time to a minimum. Such a product cannot be wrung out in a machine and it is undesirable to wring it out with your hands. After the water has drained, the item is dried flat on a rope or horizontally on a terry sheet.

Features of washing filament curtains

Before washing, curtains must be dusted off and freed from hooks or rings. Carefully divide the threads into three parts and braid them into a braid, securing them at the bottom with a regular rubber ring. Instead, you can tie sections up to 50 cm long with ribbons to prevent the threads from tangling.

If the curtains are not decorated with glass beads or beads, then the item prepared and placed in a washing bag can be put into the washing machine, turning on the delicate cycle and using liquid detergent for colored fabrics. But it’s safer to wash it by hand: place the curtain in a basin of soapy water, lightly squeeze the strands and release them. The water is changed 2-3 times until it becomes clear, and this completes washing the curtains.

A well-rinsed and slightly wrung-out curtain is hung over a basin or bathtub. When the water has completely drained, wrap it in a terry towel and squeeze it out a little. Then the threads are unraveled and the curtain is hung in place: in this state it will dry quickly without losing its shape.

Caring for Roman, roller and Japanese blinds

Roman blinds, removed from the cornice and freed from hard plastic or wooden slats (slats), are a strip of dense fabric. The manufacturer's label indicates care methods, whether washing is possible and in what mode. If there is no label, then you need to adhere to the general washing rules for curtains outlined above.

Sometimes manufacturers treat the fabric with dirt-repellent impregnation. This is easy to check: drop some water and see if it is absorbed or remains on the surface. If water is absorbed, it means that washing will not damage the fabric, but if not, then prolonged exposure to the detergent can destroy the protective coating. The slats are inserted into place until the fabric is completely dry.

You can try to remove simple stains using a regular eraser, then wipe the curtain with a foam sponge moistened with a neutral detergent for dishes or hair shampoo, and then rinse with plenty of water, preferably under shower.

Roller and Japanese curtains made from synthetic materials with dirt-repellent and hydrophobic (water-repellent) impregnations, for which washing is impossible, are washed in the same way.

Cleaning curtains with lambrequins

Curtains made in designer workshops are often decorated with lambrequins (curly removable parts made of the same material, lined with fabric or a solid non-woven base). All parts of the set must undergo the same cleaning procedure so that the fabric on one of the parts does not differ in structure and color from the others.

Therefore, curtains with lambrequins are not washed, but cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and treated with steam (using a vertical steam iron or a steam generator). Cleaning companies perform this type of curtain cleaning at home.