If you purchase curtains that are washable it is very important to wash them prior to hanging. They normally shrink the most the first time they are washed. I washed mine in hot before hanging them the first time to get all of the shrinking behind me.
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.
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.
Hanging them straight away prevents creasing. If you washed them in the bathtub, squeeze out the excess water carefully. Hang the curtain over the show bar or on a clothesline outside until all the extra water drips off. Then, bring them in and hang them in the window to dry.
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.
The drapes get longer and longer. 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.
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.
Using a set of ladders (with someone holding them steady for you), climb to the top of your curtains and shake them hard from somewhere near the pole or rod. This will dislodge stubborn dust and dirt — although you'll need to vacuum the surrounding areas of floor afterwards.
Yes, as long as the hooks, rings, or pins are removed.
They're what helps hold the curtains onto the curtain rods. It's totally fine to wash curtains with grommets in the washing machine, as long as you set your machine to the delicate wash cycle, which will help prevent potential damage.
Dry Cleaning
Most curtains are 'dry-clean only', but there is still the danger that they could shrink during the cleaning process.
Curtains naturally attract dust and absorb odours over time. And as easy as it is to overlook the fact that they need attention – after all, they just hang there! – curtain cleaning on a regular basis is a good idea to keep your house clean and fresh – every 3-6 months is recommended.
To wash these curtains, we recommend rinsing them twice, without spin-drying, before washing thoroughly. Select a delicate cycle at 30° and spin-dry at 400. Once the washing cycle is complete, hang your curtains out to dry, vertically from a height if possible.
If you're able to do laundry at home, rest assured, it is possible to put drapes and curtains in the washing machine if the fabric allows. The best way to clean curtains and drapes is to wash them on a gentle cycle, in cool to warm water, with mild detergent.
Lightweight curtains: can be cleaned in the washing machine. Curtains made of delicate materials: should be hand washed to reduce the risk of shrinking. Curtains made from heavy fabric: can be steam cleaned, in order to avoid a lengthy drying process.
Step 1: Wash them on warm and dry them on high to pre-shrink them (they'll shrink a ton – maybe 5″, but in a standard height room that's just fine – and you NEED to preshrink curtains before you hang them.
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. Remove the drape promptly once the cycle completes and hang or lay it flat to dry. To prevent shrinking, never put a dry-clean-only curtain in the dryer.
Not just the curtains but the rods and metal rings are also to be cleaned. These metals may get rusted over time and give a shabby appearance to your beautiful home. Use mild vinegar cleaners to clean the rusted metal rings and the rod.
Steam Cleaning for Heavy Curtains
Hand or machine washing heavy curtains is a bad idea because the drying process will be too long and the fabric can stretch. Materials like velvet or chenille can be cleaned most easily with steam cleaner. This is also a good option for drapes that are hard to take down from the rails.
Vacuuming and cleaning curtains
You can use almost any vacuum cleaner to vacuum curtains. However, it may be easier to use a compact vacuum cleaner, such as a handheld vacuum cleaner or a stick vacuum. This makes it easier to reach the top of the curtains.
Steaming can come in handy. Steaming will remove the wrinkles on your dry-clean-only curtains and make them straight causing no damage.
Steaming your curtains is arguably the easiest way to remove those stubborn wrinkles and creases that creep up over time, and it's also the best option, says Frej Lewenhaupt, the co-founder of Steamery. "The fabric will feel richer and more natural in texture with steaming, as opposed to ironing," he says.
The answer to this question is important because it can affect the way we do our decorations. Yes, curtains should be long enough to touch the floor. With a few exceptions, the longer the curtains are the more stylish and elegant it will look. This is why most standard ready-made curtains are lengthy.