Curtains can be cleaned in a variety of ways depending on their material and their current state. Certain methods require you to dismantle the curtains and have them sent for washing or dry cleaning. On the other hand, other methods can be performed while the curtains remain hanging from your wall. This includes vacuuming, dusting and steaming.
The Importance of Cleaning Your Curtains
General Curtain Cleaning
What Material is your Curtain Made of?
Garment Fabric Curtains
Garment fabric curtains are a common material of home curtains. Follow these steps to clean them:
- Remove any hardware from the setup
- Take the curtains outdoor and shake any dust off them
- Dust the curtain to remove any outstanding dust or dirt
- Machine wash the curtain on a delicate cycle using a cold setting
- Dry the curtain on a low-heat setting
- Remove the curtain from the dryer as soon as the cycle is complete in order to prevent wrinkles from forming
- Rehang the curtain
Sheer Fabric or Lace Curtains
Sheer fabric and lace curtains are known for their lightweight material. While excellent for avoiding heat trapping in your room, the fabric is prone to wrinkling and snagging when it is wet. As such, a different set of cleaning steps needs to be taken:
- Dislodge curtain and have it dusted outside
- Wash the curtain one panel at a time in a sink filled with cold soapy water for 10 minutes
- Swirl the curtain to loosen any deep rooted debris
- Drain the sink and refill it with cold water
- Swirl the curtain again to remove soap residue
- Allow the curtain to drip dry while hung
Acrylic Bead or Shell Curtains
Acrylic bead and shell curtains pose a different cleaning challenge as opposed to the previous two categories. If you were to attempt to take them done, there is a high chance that they will become tangled. As such, it is recommended that they be cleaned while remaining hung on the rod.
- Start by hanging a bed sheet behind it. For security, you can fasten it to the curtain rod.
- Lay towels or rags on the floor beneath the curtain
- Use a spray bottle with warm water and liquid dish detergent to spray all areas of the curtain
- Wipe the curtain with a damp white cotton cloth
- Lightly rub against soiled areas as you find them
- Allow the curtain to dry while you remove the bed sheet
Velvet Curtains
Other Cleaning Methods for Your Curtain
Using the Power of Steam
Steaming allows you to wash a curtain effectively without having to remove it from its rod. It is especially effective against greasy fabrics or unsightly stains. Using a powerful handheld steam cleaner could spare you the time and effort needed to dislodge and rehang your curtains. Steamers work best when applied to curtains that are thick and made from natural fibres.
To steam your curtains, gentle vertical strokes with the steam cleaner on the most gentle setting should be made. This allows penetration of the fibres without drenching them. Avoid making your curtains overly damp as this could lead to the growth of mould later.
Deodorise Your Curtains
If your curtain has any remaining odours after steaming, you can consider applying an upholstery deodoriser. Commonly found in spray form, these deodorants allow you to make the curtains smell fresh and clean.
Give Your Curtains the Chance to Breathe
Other than using deodorants, you should allow your curtains to breathe on a regular basis during the week. This helps to prevent any build-up of odours or mould.
Trust Chemdry To Effectively Clean Your Curtains
ChemDry is a curtain cleaning specialist with over 40 years of experience offering quality curtain cleaning services in Singapore. We offer both onsite and offsite curtain cleaning solutions. All our services ensure that your curtain is returned to you in prime condition with no damages. Additionally, we perform any necessary removal and rehanging of the curtains, thus giving you a truly hassle-free experience.