Curtains lend color and texture to your home, protect furnishings, offer privacy, and give complete control over the amount of natural light you want indoors. However, these window treatments harbor dust, dander, and odor molecules. Cleaning them is essential to keep airborne irritants and allergens away. But, keeping them clean at home can get complicated. Should you dry clean them or is it alright to machine wash? And, what about sheer curtains? Fret not, we’ll answer all your questions. At JCPenney, we not only have a wide range of curtains and drapes but also the right set of products to keep them sparkling clean! So, sit back, relax, and scroll down to find the best ways to clean curtains at home.
Check the Tags & Prepare your Curtains
The label on the curtain will have listed specific care instructions. If it says, “dry-clean only,” “hand-wash only,” “lay flat to dry,” and so on, follow those methods when cleaning. If your curtain’s label doesn’t restrict you from using the washing machine, you can start preparing for the next steps.
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Sort your curtains first color-wise, then shake off one-by-one to remove as much dust as possible (you can even use a vacuum). Take off all removable hardware, like hooks, as you don’t want them to snag your curtains during the spin cycle.
How to Wash Lace & Sheer Curtains
Tumble dry lace curtains on the air cycle to remove dust, then based on the label instructions, handwash them or machine wash gently with cold water and a detergent made for fine washables. After the wash, dip the curtains in a light starch solution for extra body or re-hang them without starching, while slightly damp, for a soft look.
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Since most sheer drapes are washable synthetics, wash them in the same manner as lace curtains. Organdy sheers should be dry cleaned as they are fragile and prone to sun damage.
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Wash Curtains in Cold Water
Unless specified otherwise on the label, wash the curtains in small loads using cold water. Choose the “delicate” setting on the machine with the lowest heat setting and select mild detergent to avoid color fade and shrinkage.
Dry the Curtains in Two Parts
After the wash, run the curtains in the dryer on low heat for a couple of minutes to get rid of any excess drips. Then, hang them to air dry to prevent the drapes from shrinking. Don’t forget to use clothespins to keep the textile in place.
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Iron the Curtains
It’s recommended to press curtains on a low heat setting before you hang them in the living room or bedroom. Choose an iron with a nonstick soleplate to do the job, as it glides more smoothly over fabrics to remove wrinkles than irons without the soleplate.
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As these cleaning and care tips are easy to follow, you can maintain the quality of your curtains and drapes without any hassle. Have more curtain care secrets? Click pictures of your lovely drapes around the house and share your secrets by tagging #AllAtJCP. Then, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see if you are featured.
