How to clean curtains, washing them or not

Step by step

1. 1

   Vacuum while they're hanging

   Use the brush attachment on low suction and work from the top down, including the top hem, the pleats and the back facing the window. Hold the bottom of the panel with one hand so it doesn't get sucked in.

   Why: Regular dust removal delays deep cleaning. For elaborate treatments that are hard to take down, the American Cleaning Institute says vacuuming may be the practical choice.

2. 2

   Read the care label

   Check the panel and any lining for the care symbols. Many drapery fabrics and linings are dry-clean only. See the laundry symbols guide if the icons aren't clear.

   Why: Lined, pleated, silk, velvet and some blended curtains can shrink, pucker or bleed if washed.

3. 3

   Freshen lightly soiled curtains in the dryer

   Take the curtains down, remove hooks, and tumble them briefly on the air-fluff or no-heat setting.

   Why: New Mexico State University Extension suggests this for curtains that are only dusty: it shakes out dust without washing.

4. 4

   Wash washable curtains gently

   Wash on the delicate or gentle cycle with mild detergent, in the water temperature on the label, or put each panel in a mesh bag or pillowcase first. Don't overload the washer.

   Why: Long exposure to sunlight weakens curtain fibers, and a gentle cycle keeps the weakened fabric from tearing.

5. 5

   Dry low and rehang promptly

   Dry on low or the permanent-press setting and take them out promptly while still slightly damp, or line-dry. Hang them back on the rod right away so they straighten under their own weight.

   Why: Overdrying sets wrinkles in cotton and linen and can shrink or wrinkle heat-sensitive synthetics.

What curtains are made of, and why the sun matters

Curtains and drapes are made of cotton, linen, polyester, silk, velvet or blends, sometimes lined, pleated or fitted with metal grommets. Older homes may still have fiberglass drapes. The fabric choice sets the rules: cotton and linen wrinkle and can shrink, synthetics are heat-sensitive, and silk, velvet and many linings are dry-clean only.

The less obvious factor is sunlight. Months of strong sun weaken fibers, especially on the side facing the window, so curtains can look fine but tear in a vigorous wash. That's why the gentle cycle and mesh bag matter, and why New Mexico State University Extension says to warn a dry cleaner about possible sun damage.

Curtains also collect dust and dust mite allergens. The American Lung Association notes that people with dust mite allergy may be advised to remove heavy drapes.

How often to clean curtains

Brush or vacuum them often, as part of regular dusting. Wash or dry-clean them when they look or smell dirty, following the label. Kitchen curtains pick up grease and need washing more often than bedroom drapes.

By situation

Cleaning curtains without taking them down

Vacuum with the brush attachment from the top down, then spot-clean marks with a cloth dampened in mild detergent solution, working from the back with a towel behind the fabric and using very little moisture. Vacuum again when dry. For anything more, curtains need to come down.

Curtains with metal grommets

No grommet-specific guidance was found in authoritative sources. Follow the care label; if it allows washing, a gentle cycle with the panel in a mesh bag or pillowcase (as extension guidance suggests for curtains generally) limits rubbing on the drum. Dry them promptly so the grommets don't sit wet against the fabric.

Getting wrinkles out of curtains

Take them out of the dryer while slightly damp and rehang them right away; the weight of the fabric pulls many wrinkles out. Cotton and linen can be ironed while still slightly damp at the setting on the label; polyester needs a low iron setting. A handheld steamer works on hanging curtains if the fabric allows heat. Overdrying is the main cause of set-in wrinkles.

Dry-clean-only drapes

Take them to a cleaner and point out any sun-faded or thin areas, which may split during cleaning. Between cleanings, vacuum them in place.

Fiberglass curtains

Never put them in a washer or dryer. Soak them folded in water with mild detergent for 15 to 30 minutes, swish gently, and let them drip-dry without wringing; rehang while still damp. Don't bleach or iron them.

Curtains that smell of smoke or mildew

Washable curtains usually need a full wash, sometimes more than one. Dry-clean-only drapes go to a cleaner. Find and fix the source too; see mildew smell in a house.

What not to do

• Don't wash sun-weakened curtains on a normal or heavy cycle. Fragile fibers tear under strong agitation.
• Don't machine-wash or dry fiberglass drapes, or bleach them. Extension guidance rules out washers, dryers and bleach for fiberglass.
• Don't ignore the care label. Many drapery fabrics and linings are dry-clean only and can shrink or pucker in water.
• Don't overdry curtains. It sets wrinkles and can shrink cotton, linen and synthetics.

Other methods that work

Air-fluff in the dryer

A no-heat tumble freshens lightly soiled curtains without washing them.

Professional dry cleaning

For silk, velvet, lined or pleated drapes and anything labeled dry clean only.

Caution: Mention sun damage so the cleaner can handle weak areas carefully.

Stain still there?

The curtains came out shorter

Hot water or high dryer heat shrank them. Cotton and linen sometimes relax a little if rehung damp; use cooler washes and low heat next time, or dry-clean.

A tear or split appeared after washing

The fabric was sun-weakened. Little can reverse that; wash the remaining panels in a mesh bag on gentle, or dry-clean them and tell the cleaner.

Still dusty after vacuuming

Dust is embedded in the weave. Air-fluff them in the dryer, or wash them if the label allows.

Questions

More guides for this room

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• How to clean blinds: vinyl, metal, wood and bamboo
• How to clean a couch, including stains and smells
• How to clean a leather couch and leather furniture
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• How to clean painted walls without damaging the paint
• How to remove water stains and rings from wood and fabric
• How to clean windows without streaks, and remove water spots