Whether it is lined or unlined, style of pleating, single ply or two ply – everything contributes to the rate at which the pleats settle in even, vertical folds. So give them training and give them time.
Hang the curtains on the rod and spread them out so that the air can circulate around them and they will dry evenly. It may take 1 to 2 days for the curtains to dry completely depending on how thick they are.
These drapes and curtains usually come in a tight packing and too often badly wrinkled, even if they are “wrinkle-free” material. Those creases will stay even after you hang your new drapes.
Drapes may stretch. Fabric is made of threads woven together, and there is no glue holding these threads in place. Knowing how the fabric may react after hanging will help you choose fabrics that should not stretch.
Generally, your curtains should stretch 5-7 centimetres wider than the width of your window. A similar rule applies to where they sit on your wall. If your curtains are too short, your home ends up looking like a poorly built doll house.
New curtains can be stiff and may have a strong starch smell. Washing new curtains before hanging can help them hang better, can get rid of odor, and can help your new curtains look more vibrant. Washing them before hanging is an excellent idea.
Getting Started: Iron or Steam to Remove Creases
If in doubt, lay a clean towel over your drapery fabric and iron over the towel on low. However, just ironing your curtains will cause your drapes to spread out at the bottom rather than hanging uniformly along with the built-in pleats.
It depends on factors such as window length, but more often than not, curtains look best when touching the floor. However, how low you want your curtains to hang will determine what you want to achieve. In reality, different decorating styles employ varying curtain lengths.
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You can use empty toilet rolls as curtain spacers, so the pleats hang evenly at regular intervals instead of some being bunched up and others spread out. And it turns out this trick is easy to do without having to take your curtains down. So don't just chuck out the cardboard tubes.
Mix a small amount of laundry detergent with water and dip a clean rag into it. Rub this gently on a small corner on the back of the curtain where the face fabric folds over to form the hem. Rinse the corner with a few spritzes of water. If the color bleeds, do not use any further wet methods to soften the curtains.
Use Drapery Clip Rings. Yes you can put them directly on the pole but I find it so clumsy to open and close them this way and they hang much nicer when you use drapery clip rings. I used these Amazon Basics Drapery Clip Rings and they work fantastic.
Most curtains are 'dry-clean only', but there is still the danger that they could shrink during the cleaning process. Believe it or not, dry cleaners have an acceptable level of 'shrinkage'. This is between 3-4% of the material, so don't be too alarmed if they are returned to you slightly smaller than before.
How Curtains Provide Insulation. Good curtains stop cold air from entering your home by creating an air gap between the room and the window. Ideally, they also prevent any flow of hot and cold air which would create a draft.
Tip: Traditionally, you'd mount your curtain rods one to three inches above the top of your window frame. But my favorite trick is to hang your curtain rod higher (a couple inches below the ceiling). It'll instantly make the room feel taller and grander.
Even if your window coverings are made of a washable fabric, the linings and seams could shrink in the wash. Play it safe and opt for dry cleaning if you are in doubt. Definitely dry-clean curtains and drapes with stitched-in pleats, swags, or other elaborate ornamentation that may not withstand a washing.
Iron Pros. An iron is going to provide a clean and crisp finish overall, and will be more efficient than steaming on heavy and durable fibers and weaves, like linen, wool, and denim. It's ideal for any garment in need of a sharp crease, like dress pants for instance, and should also work well on dress shirts.
Should You Just Steam Them Or Let Them Hang? In most cases, you really don't need to iron your curtains unless they have awkward creases from packing, causing them to hang improperly. Most curtains will eventually drop to their ideal hanging style, especially if you live in a more humid environment.
This is actually why most manufacturers will include a few folds of extra fabric at the base of the curtains to handle any possible “shrinkage”, but not at the sides. Unfortunately, once the curtains are made without fabric pre-shrinking, there is no way to reverse the situation.
Keep an eye on proportion—the length should just touch the floor. “The mistake done most often are drapes that are cut too short by a handful of inches,” says Rothblum, “and it doesn't look like it fits.” Make sure the fabric just hits the floor or ends under an inch above.
Grommet drapery panels have been a popular choice for draperies for years because they offer a modern, sleek look. Grommets come in a variety of sizes and colors so they are easily worked into any decor.
As a general rule, drapes will be open during the day, so make sure the curtain rod extends at least four inches on each side of the window's inside frame. To create the illusion of a wider window, extend the rod up to 10 inches beyond the window's frame.