Curtains might not come at the top of your weekly cleaning chores, but to keep them in tip-top condition it’s necessary to give them regular TLC. The following is an easy guide to ensuring curtains remain beautifully fresh and the finishing enhancement to your carefully designed home décor.
No matter what type of curtains you have, the most important task is to clean the surrounding areas—weekly is ideal. This is because the bottom edges of the curtains are usually the first to become a little grubby, simply because they rest on the windowsill or are close to the carpet/floor, areas where dust tends to settles.
Dusting and vacuuming the sills and floor means you’ll reduce the amount of dust and dirt that transfers to the curtains and linings.
All types of curtains can be vacuumed. Use the small brush attachment on your machine and gently brush over from top to bottom. Don’t forget to do the back as well.
Wrinkled curtains? Invest (or hire) a handheld steamer and do the following:- Close the curtains- Vacuum as in step 2- Once the steamer has heated up, work from top to bottom of the curtain in large sweeping movements- While the curtain is still damp, create neat fold lines in line with the natural hang of the curtain
Not all curtains are suitable for washing. Velvet, wool, silk, brocade, etc. shouldn’t be washed (the fabric will shrink). Some of these can be dry cleaned instead, but always take professional advice before doing so.
For curtains that can be wet washed, this is how to go about it.- Determine if the curtains are to be washed in the machine or by hand. Again, if you’re not sure, take professional advice- Take them down and remove all hooks and weights- Loosen the curtain header- Rinse through with cold water- If washing in the machine, use a gentle cycle- If washing by hand, use a large bowl of warm water with the appropriate powder.
Gently swirl the curtains in the water. Rinse thoroughly and squeeze out excess water- Both hand and machine washed curtains should be hung to dry- Iron while still slightly damp to remove creases
Windows that regularly attract condensation can cause mold on the lining of the curtains. This can be problematic—it’s challenging to remove without causing the fabric to discolor. The key is to prevent it from occurring in the first place.- Keep the room well ventilated and warm- Open windows when possible- Use a dehumidifier- Consider replacing single glazing with double glazing
If, after vacuuming, your curtains still have marks or stains, you can try the following:- Soak a clean cloth in warm water and gently rub the stain- Don’t use detergents or harsh stain removers as you run the risk of discoloring the fabric- If this fails, take professional advice
If you would like a hand deciding, that is what the consultation is for. A designer comes out, looks at the actual room, and brings the fabrics that suit it. Book a free in-home consultation, or see the gallery.
Living with it
From a very young age, we are built to be naturally responsive to light.
Design
Sliding glass doors scream out for beautiful window treatments.
Living with it
Often times, the style of our homes and moods play into how much light or opacity we want in a room.
Book a free in-home consultation. We will bring the samples, take the measurements, and leave you with a proper quote.
