How to wash curtains (Japanese, nylon, polyester, velvet, linen, with hooks, etc.): is it possible in a washing machine (in what mode, at what temperature)?

Washing curtains is necessary to keep your home clean. During operation, dirt appears on the surface of the product, dust and soot particles accumulate. Kitchen curtains quickly absorb a variety of odors. In order not to spoil the appearance of beautiful curtains, you need to wash them correctly, selecting special cleaning products.

Is it washable?

Washing curtains by hand is difficult, so housewives have a very reasonable desire to delegate this task to a washing machine. However, not all curtains can be processed automatically.

Such exceptions include:

Wool curtains. They are washed by hand using shampoo.
Read also: How to clean a stretch ceiling from stains: how to remove various contaminants
Velvet products. They will not survive automatic washing. If possible, it is better to dry clean them.
Curtains with a large number of permanent decorative elements. Small parts can deteriorate themselves and also cause the washing machine to break down.
Curtains with acrylic layer.
Products with decorative metallic coating. If there is active friction against the drum, it can deteriorate.

Some housewives prefer to hand wash natural cotton curtains, as they believe that machine processing spoils the delicate material.
To understand whether curtains can be washed automatically, you need to refer to the manufacturer's recommendations. Factory products always have a label indicating the rules for caring for them .
The crossed out image of a washing machine indicates that the fabric requires careful hand washing. If the curtains were sewn to order, then it is important to check with the craftsman the rules for caring for them, as well as what material they were sewn from.

In an automatic washing machine: in what mode (program), at what temperature?

Before you start machine washing, the curtains need to be properly prepared. This stage includes the following activities:

Clean the product from dust. You can shake it out on the street or on the balcony, or vacuum the canvas.
All protruding threads are cut off. If there are loose seams on the curtains, they are sewn up.
Remove hooks and other fittings from curtains that may become detached during the washing process.
If there is severe contamination, for example, grease stains, they are cleaned. The desired area is moistened with water, a detergent composition is applied (liquid soap, powder diluted in water, gel for washing clothes) and left for 30-60 minutes.
If the stain does not disappear under the influence of the stain remover, it must be cleaned with a brush or rubbed by hand.
When the contamination has been removed, the area is rinsed in clean water and proceed to the main treatment.

When loading a product into a washing machine, you need to take into account its weight not in dry, but in wet form. The fabric becomes 2-3 times heavier. Overweight can cause equipment damage.

Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

place the prepared product in the drum of the washing machine;
turn on a suitable program - the choice of mode will differ depending on the type of fabric;
Most often, curtains are washed using the “delicate” or “gentle” wash program;
spin speed should not exceed 500 rpm;
The water temperature is set manually - for products made from delicate fabrics it is 30-40 degrees, for durable fabrics it can be increased to 60 degrees;
After washing is completed, the curtains are removed from the machine and dried.

If you use a powder detergent to wash curtains, you can set the additional rinse mode to better rinse it out of the fabric.

Preference should be given to liquid detergents . They are activated even in cool water, penetrate fabric fibers better and cope with dirt more effectively.

Whitening yellowed curtains

Quite often, light-colored curtains begin to turn yellow. There are a large number of ways you can whiten curtains with your own hands at home.

Ammonia with hydroperite or hydrogen peroxide

This method helps to whiten curtains made of synthetic fabric.

Basic steps:

Dissolve a tablespoon of ammonia, 5 tablets of hydroperite or 2 tablespoons of peroxide in 10 liters of water.
Place the curtain in the resulting solution for thirty minutes. The composition must be stirred periodically.
After cleaning is completed, the product should be rinsed well and hung to dry.

Zelenka

Often, brilliant green is used to whiten tulle or synthetic fabric.

To carry out the procedure you will need:

Add salt and three drops of brilliant green to cool water.
Place the washed curtain in a basin or bath with the prepared solution.
After three minutes, the curtain should be removed and hung to dry.

Salt

If you don’t have any special products at hand, then regular table salt can come to the rescue.

This method will help you make the curtain snow-white again:

Pour 5 liters of water into a bowl, add 4 tablespoons of salt and stir.
The curtain will need to be soaked in the prepared mixture for approximately 20 minutes.
Then place the product in a washing machine, wash without spinning and rinse thoroughly.

How to use your hands correctly?

Hand washing is a gentle processing method. It is suitable for any type of fabric. During such washing, it is possible to work on the most contaminated areas, as well as control the friction force.

However, despite all the advantages of the method, it is the most labor-intensive. Massive, heavy curtains are especially difficult to hand wash.

Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

shake off dust from the fabric;
soak the curtains in the cleaning solution;
remove existing stains;
rinse the curtains;
hang them up to dry.

The washing temperature depends on the type of fabric. Most often, water is used no higher than 40 degrees. Washing powder or gel is used as a detergent.

It is not recommended to wring out curtains . Twisting can lead to creases and deformation of the curtains. You must wait until the water drains on its own.

If hand washing is intended, then the hooks from the curtains do not need to be removed. This will make it easier to return them to their usual place.

Ironing rules

The curtains begin to be ironed from the top, gradually moving the fabric towards the floor. You can place a table or several chairs close to the ironing board, where the ironed material will lie.

Frills and edging are ironed first. The temperature control should be set to the appropriate position for the type of fabric. You cannot hold the hot sole of the iron in one place for a long time.

The use of a vertical steamer greatly simplifies the ironing process. In this case, you can iron the curtain while hanging. Steam treatment is only suitable for dense materials. This method is not used for nylon, chiffon, organza.

How to clean without removing from the curtain rod?

You can wash curtains without removing them from the curtain rod using a steam generator.

Instructions for use:

Vacuum the curtains on both sides.
Lather the sponge and rub the areas where there is dirt.
Remove foam using a clean, damp microfiber cloth.
Treat the curtains with a steam generator, moving it from top to bottom.
Allow the fabric to dry on its own.

To ensure that there are no streaks left on the product after cleaning, the soaped areas must be washed thoroughly. Then the treated area is wiped with a dry, clean cloth.

How to wash without ironing?

Ironing curtains is a labor-intensive process. Therefore, every housewife should know how to wash them so that they do not wrinkle.

Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

Wash the curtains in a washing machine without spinning or by hand without twisting the fabric.
Allow the water to drain completely. When it stops dripping, shake the curtains thoroughly.
Hang the curtains on the cornice while damp. Under their own weight, they will fully expand and take the desired shape.

If possible, immediately after washing the fabric is laid out on the floor, on a sheet or bedspread.

Blackout fabric

Black out textiles lead the market for materials used for sewing curtains. This is explained by the optimal combination of quality and price, practicality in use and ease of care, and the aesthetic properties of the material. Black out curtains do not allow street light to pass through at all, so it is advisable to use them in a bedroom or children's room. In addition, at the production stage, the fabric is impregnated with special substances that repel dust and dirt.

These curtains are washed at a water temperature of 40 °C, and you can use automatic spinning. If you hang the damp fabric on a curtain rod, you won't need to iron it.

If you follow the washing rules, home textiles will last for many years and will always have an attractive appearance.

Washing frequency

Curtains should be washed as they become dirty. It all depends on the exact room in which they hang . If we are talking about kitchen curtains, then they require frequent washing, as they turn yellow faster, and food stains often appear on them.

Products that decorate windows in the living room or bedroom can be washed 2 times a year, when washing the windows. Most often this is done in spring and autumn.

There are no specific recommendations in this regard. Housewives independently decide how often they will wash curtains .

Read more about how often you should wash curtains here.

What to do if you sit down?

If the curtains shrink after washing, you can take the following actions:

Open the bottom hem. On many products it is wide enough, so it allows you to hide shrinkage of 2 cm.
Increase the length of the curtains with fringe, which is sewn at the bottom.
Buy hooks that will be longer.
Move the ceiling cornice.

On the Internet you can find various solutions to the problem. Sometimes it is recommended to stretch curtains using a steam iron. Some users recommend wetting the product and increasing its length mechanically.

All these methods are irrational, since it will not be possible to achieve uniform tension, but it is quite possible to spoil the product in this way. Therefore, it is easier to prevent a problem than to spend energy and money on eliminating it later.

To prevent the curtains from shrinking, you need to follow the washing temperature, do not wring them out and dry them flat.

How to dry?

To properly dry curtains and not damage the product, you must follow the following rules:

Allow the water to drain completely into the bath if the fabric is thin. After this, the product can be hung immediately.
Lay the curtains on a flat surface, placing fabric under them. This method is suitable for heavy, durable products.
Do not try to dry curtains while folded. There will be creases on them, which will be difficult to get rid of.

It is recommended to iron fabrics while damp. If time has been lost, use the steam function. It is prohibited to dry curtains on heating radiators or near fire sources.

Removing stains

If stubborn stains appear on the surface of the material, then you need to purchase a product that can be used to quickly and easily remove them.

General rules for removing stains:

First you need to remove heavy dirt.
The lining must be torn off.
Sprinkle the edges of the stain with starch and clean with a cotton sponge.
You need to start from the edge of the spot and move towards its center.
Rinse the remaining trace with warm water.

Wine, coffee and tea stains

Drink stains eat into fabric fibers very quickly, so action must be taken immediately.

Instructions:

Remove the product from the ledge.
Blot the mark with a paper napkin.
Treat the stain with cotton wool soaked in alcohol.
Make a solution by adding one tablespoon each of vinegar and dishwashing liquid to 1 liter of water.
Soak the curtain in the finished mixture for half an hour.
After this, the product can be placed in the machine and washed.

Soot marks

Traces of soot are removed with turpentine or soda. First, the stain itself is cleaned, and then the entire fabric is washed completely.

Turpentine

Turpentine will help you quickly and easily remove soot marks. Together with this product, you can use a soap solution or egg yolk. It is advisable to protect the skin of your hands, so you need to wear rubber gloves.

The sequence for cleaning a stain using turpentine and soap solution:

Moisten the mark thoroughly with the product.
Rub with a napkin.
Clean with a brush and soapy water.
After this, the curtain needs to be washed.

When cleaning soot marks with turpentine and egg yolk, you need to:

Mix egg yolk and turpentine in equal proportions.
Then heat the resulting composition a little.
Next, rub the stain with this product.
Now the curtain can be sent to the wash.

Soda

Soda is a universal helper around the house. The product is suitable for cleaning most fabric products.

To remove a dirty stain from the surface of the curtain you will need:

Stir a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in warm water.
First rub the mark with dishwashing detergent.
Then soak the product in the prepared soda solution for about eight hours.
After this, rinse the curtain thoroughly and dry it.

Grease stains

As you know, it is much easier to wash off a fresh greasy stain. You need to act immediately after the stain appears.

Popular cleaning methods:

Place a sheet of paper under the bottom of the product. Sprinkle a little talcum powder or potato starch on top of the stain. In this form, the matter should lie for about a day.
You can remove a greasy stain using the pulp of black bread, chalk or tooth powder.
A mixture of glycerin and ammonia will help remove old traces of grease.

Dry cleaning services

Dry cleaning includes curtains that are difficult to wash on your own.

These can be products from:

natural silk;
wool;
blackout curtains;
velvet curtains.

All of them are expensive, so their care should be left to professionals.

You can find a dry cleaner through advertisements on the Internet or in the newspaper. Often this service is provided by cleaning companies that clean apartments and houses.

You can deliver the curtains to the company yourself, or call a courier to your home. In this case, you will need to pay additionally for delivery. Specialists will not only rid the curtains of dirt and dust, but also iron them . Some organizations offer their clients to hang them on a curtain rod.

The cost of work depends on the level of complexity. You can wash one medium-weight item in a washing machine for 300 rubles. The price of professional manual cleaning starts from 520 rubles.

Important Tips

To prevent washing curtains from causing damage, you must follow the following recommendations:

Do not place items of different color or material in the washing machine. They require separate processing.
When using stain removers for the first time, you should first test them on an inconspicuous area of the fabric.
In order for the curtains to be rinsed well, the drum must be half full. Therefore, massive fabrics need to be washed one at a time.
If you have a laundry bag of a suitable size in your home, then you shouldn’t refuse to use it.

The less frequently the fabric is machine washed, the longer it will retain its attractive appearance.

You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products here.

Useful tips

There are several techniques that will help you achieve maximum cleaning effect:

Do not wash curtains together with curtains or other items.
Use the Extra Rinse function, especially if you are using regular granular powder.
If the curtains have not been washed in several years and are very dirty, soak them first.
When using detergent, make sure you read the instructions for use.
For best cleaning, make sure the drum is only half full.