No, new curtains do not need to be washed before they are hung up or used. Curtains are typically machine-washed and come preshrunk and ready to hang with little to no preparation necessary. However, if you have chosen curtains made from a delicate fabric such as silk or velvet, spot cleaning may be recommended.
New drapes should never be washed before being hung as this can permanently damage both their appearance and function. In addition, laundering any fabric will remove some of its fibers along with allergen barriers; however, there is no need for concern since these chemicals fade over time during normal use.
What happens if you don't wash curtains? If you don't wash curtains, dust and dander accumulate, aggravating the symptoms of allergies. The fabric might also absorb odors.
Maintaining clean curtains
We advise you give them a deep clean about twice a year, but you may need to clean them more often if your home is prone to dust or odours. You can help keep them looking better for longer by going over them once a week with the brush attachment of your vacuum.
Go for the delicate cycle.
Regardless of what the care label says, if you're planning to machine wash your drapes, you'll want to use cool water and the delicate cycle. "Over time, sunlight can weaken fabrics," explained Silva-Nash. A gentle cleaning approach is key, if you want to extend the life of your drapes.
Dryer – You can also put the drapes and curtains inside the dryer (without washing them first) with a wet or damp towel using a delicate or permanent press cycle. Fabric Steamer – After installing the drapes and curtains on a rod, fill fabric steamer with water.
As such, you're probably wondering how often you have to tackle this extra chore. Well, friends, the ACI recommends washing your curtains every three to six months and spritzing them with a fabric refresher to neutralize odors and extend the freshness window in between washings.
Remove surface dirt by vacuuming your curtains with a soft brush attachment. Treat stains if the material allows it. Steam clean or dry clean following the manufacturer's instructions.
The easiest way to clean your curtains without taking them down is to simply vacuum them, as often as you can. Use your vacuum cleaner to remove loose dirt, dust and even pet hair. The soft brush attachment is great for gently vacuuming hanging curtains from top to bottom.
Some curtains may have a label that reads dry clean only. Doing anything other than dry cleaning is at your own risk. Some fabrics may bleed and fade if they aren't properly dry cleaned, and others may shrink or pill.
If you fail to address the build-up of dirt on your curtains, then this can lead to mould forming on the fabric and this can be very dangerous for your health and lead to potentially serious health issues. Avoid the build-up of mould by cleaning your curtains and drying them effectively before putting them back up.
Just be sure that the cotton and linen aren't lined. Polyester and nylon must be machine-washed because they can't withstand the chemicals used in dry cleaning. When you wash any of these types of curtains, be sure to set your washing machine to gentle at a cold temperature.
Master Dry Cleaners recommend the following approximate timeframes for the washing of curtains: Hypoallergenic family: Every 3 – 6 months. Living in a dusty area: Every 6 – 12 months. Living near the sea: Every 6 – 12 months.
Plan for the mounting height—the mid-distance between the top of the window frame and the ceiling—and the width of the window to achieve a full, complete look, she says. Keep an eye on proportion—the length should just touch the floor.
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.
Moreover, deep cleaning your blackout curtains is a must, so you should set aside time for it in a week or a month to ensure that it's thoroughly clean.
Steam Cleaning
Technicians start at the top of the curtain and work down. Technicians know how far to keep the appliance away from the fabric to prevent it from becoming too wet. Steam can burn. Professionals wear protective clothing, appropriate for the job.
"Select cold water and rinse for dark color curtains and cool/lukewarm water for light color curtains," suggests Adams. "Do not use hot water." Once you've run them through the washing machine, you can dry the curtains by hanging them on a clothesline or tumbling them in a dryer on the no-heat setting.
If the hooks can't be detached, you need to avoid using a washing machine because they can rip the fabric. You can choose one of two options – steam clean them on the spot or launder them by hand. If you pick the latter solution, keep in mind, you shouldn't hang your curtains while they are wet.
Perhaps your drapes are old, and you've been thinking about replacing them. If so, you can attempt to wash them at home at your own risk. When attempting to wash dry-clean-only curtains, launder one panel at a time in cold water, either by hand or on the gentle cycle.
Use the warm air and gentle tumble settings of the dryer to toss the dust out of the curtain. Be sure to remove them before the dryer stops and hang them immediately – they will look as good as the day you installed them.
Choose a cool water temperature or stick to what it says on the curtains' tag. Choose a gentle/delicate cycle with a slow spin speed. Add detergent to the machine. Pop a colour catcher in the drum, if you're concerned about any colours bleeding during the cleaning cycle.
A vacuum cleaner with attachments is the best way to clean curtains and drapes on a regular basis. Try to vacuum your window treatments on a weekly or biweekly basis to keep them looking fresh in between detailed cleans. And make sure you vacuum both sides!
There's no given rule to how often you should take those curtains down to give them a clean, can we suggest a twice-yearly approach though, to help you keep on top of those household chores. Changing curtains twice a year gives you the opportunity to have summer or winter curtains.
Washing and hanging up the curtains will also get out the wrinkles, so this is a good option if you need to wash them anyways. If all else fails, take your curtains to a dry cleaner for professional help.