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

What's better

Usually light 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 ornaments, embroidery and those whose composition you do not know, are best left to specialists.

If we talk about the choice between hand and machine wash, then it is difficult to say which is better. Much depends on your physical capabilities - not every housewife will be able to wash fabric cuts of such a volume.

One thing can be said unequivocally - washing should be careful. It is more convenient to wash and soak by hand right 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 spoil the technique.

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 typewriter becomes unnecessary, they just need to be lifted several times and dipped again in water and rinsed thoroughly.

Cotton, linen

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

• For cotton, any powder can be used; for linen, a liquid detergent for delicate fabrics is preferable.
• Undyed linen is not afraid of boiling, so in case of severe pollution, the temperature can be increased.
• When loading linen products, it is important not to put too much of them, so that there is no lack of water and they are washed and rinsed well.
• Washing mode must be set to "delicate fabrics" or "hand wash".
• It is better to turn off the spin, so that later it is easier to iron.
• After the cycle is completed, let the water drain.
• Such curtains are dried at room temperature, away from batteries.
• It is easier to iron them with a slightly damp hot iron on the appropriate mode - “cotton” or “linen”.

Synthetics

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

Viscose

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

• It is better to put them in a laundry bag, if this is not the case, then you can use a pillowcase. So they don't deform.
• Choose a mode or "hand wash".
• Use a detergent for delicate fabrics.
• The water must not exceed 30°C.
• Disable automatic spin or reduce speed.
• Let the water drain and spread on a flat surface with a soft, clean material.
• Iron at 150°C.

Velvet

Usually, such products are not washed at home, they are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a brush, and for deeper cleaning they are given to a specialized company. If this is not possible, but need washing, you can try to do it yourself, but a positive result cannot be guaranteed.

Before putting them in the washing machine, the velvet curtains are folded inside out into a long strip, as wide as the depth of the drum. Then rolled into a cylinder and placed inside. So they are not deformed and the pile will not suffer.

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

Tulle

Thin and transparent fabrics made from natural or synthetic raw materials require particularly gentle care.

Silk, , ,

All these fabrics are very delicate and thin. The best way is to soak and change the water several times. But if you still want to deal with them faster, then just fold them neatly into a special laundry bag and wash in the machine on the appropriate mode at a water temperature of 30 ° C. In this case, soaking is not required, since dirt is removed from them very easily.

• Use a small amount of liquid powder or gel.
• You can't press.
• Ironing will require only natural silk, organza and veil can simply be hung on the cornices, and they will straighten themselves.

non-standard

Some products require special care.

With eyelets

• Curtains with eyelets, as a rule, can be washed both by hand and in a typewriter. Iron rings do not need to be removed, but such curtains must be carefully folded and placed in a bag. So the fabric and drum of the machine will not be damaged.
• Use liquid detergent and hand wash.
• It is important to dry such products quickly so that the metal elements do not fade 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 it would be easier to unravel them. You can use thin soft hair ties or just tie loose knots from the threads themselves.
• Then they are also placed in a laundry bag and put on the "hand wash" mode.
• You can also use the soaking method.
• After the cycle is completed, they need to be untied and hung on a cornice for straightening.

Roman

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

Rolled

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

Blackout

Very dense multilayer, which perfectly protect the room from daylight, the light of night lights, as well as from noise, are quite unpretentious in their care. They can be washed by hand or in the machine. Some of them have a 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 be guided by the manufacturer's recommendations, if you are not sure about the composition of the fabric, give preference to hand washing. It is better to entrust the washing of very heavy curtains made of natural expensive fabrics, as well as with the content of various decorative elements, to professionals.