Curtains

Curtains are one of the central elements in the design of every room.

They pay attention to them when entering the room. Therefore, it is so important to keep them clean.

In order not to spoil the curtains and make your own work easier, you need to know some of the features of caring for them.

Read on to learn how to wash your curtains.

Is it washable?

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

These exceptions include:

1. Woolen curtains. They are washed by hand using shampoo.
2. Velvet products. They will not tolerate automatic washing. If possible, it is better to take them to dry cleaning.
3. Curtains with many non-removable decorative elements. Small parts can deteriorate on their own, as well as provoke a breakdown of the washing machine.
4. Curtains with acrylic layer.
5. Products with decorative metallic coating. With 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 it is possible to wash the curtains in automatic mode, you need to refer to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Factory products always have a label on which the rules for their care are indicated... The crossed out image of the washing machine indicates that the fabric requires a gentle hand wash.

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

The curtains must be properly prepared before proceeding with the machine wash. This stage includes the following activities:

1. Clean the product from dust. You can shake it out on the street or on the balcony, or vacuum the canvas.
2. All protruding threads are cut off. If there are loose seams on the curtains, they are sewn up.
3. Hooks and other accessories are removed from the curtains, which may come off during washing.
4. In the presence of stubborn dirt, for example, oily 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.
5. If the stain has not disappeared under the influence of the stain remover, it must be brushed or rubbed by hand.
6. When the contamination is removed, the area is rinsed in clean water and proceeds to the main treatment.

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 the curtains are washed on the “delicate” or “gentle” wash;
• spin speed should not exceed 500 rpm;
• the water temperature is set manually - for products made of delicate fabrics it is 30-40 degrees, for durable fabrics it can be increased to 60 degrees;
• after completing the wash, the curtains are removed from the machine and dried.

If you are using a powder detergent to wash your curtains, you can set the Extra Rinse mode to better wash it out of the fabric.

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

How is it right with your hands?

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

However, despite all the advantages of the method, it is the most laborious. It is especially difficult to hand wash massive heavy curtains.

Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

• shake off dust from the fabric;
• soak the curtains in a washing solution;
• erase existing stains;
• rinse the curtains;
• hang them up to dry.

The washing temperature depends on the type of fabric. Most often, water is used not higher than 40 degrees. Laundry detergent or gel is used as a detergent.

It is not recommended to wring out the curtains... Unscrewing can lead to creases and deformation of the curtains. Wait until the water drains off on its own.

If it is supposed to be hand washed, then the hooks from the curtains can be left on. This will make it easier for them to return to their usual place.

How to clean without removing from the cornice?

You can wash the curtains without removing from the cornice using a steam generator.

Instructions for use:

1. Vacuum the curtains on both sides.
2. Lather on a sponge and rub on contaminated areas.
3. Remove foam with a clean, damp microfiber cloth.
4. Treat the curtains with a steam generator, leading it from top to bottom.
5. Let the fabric dry on its own.

How to wash so as not to iron?

Ironing curtains is a laborious process. Therefore, every housewife should know how to wash them so that they don't wrinkle.

Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

1. Wash curtains in a washing machine without spinning or by hand without twisting the fabric.
2. Allow water to drain completely. When it stops dripping, the curtains are shaken thoroughly.
3. Hang the curtains wet on the cornice. Under their own weight, they will completely straighten and take the desired shape.

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

Frequency of washing

You need to wash the curtains as soon as they become dirty. It all depends on which room they are hanging in.... If we are talking about kitchen curtains, then they require frequent washing, as they turn yellow faster, and stains from food often appear on them.

There are no specific recommendations on this matter. Housewives decide for themselves how often they will wash curtains.

For more information on how often curtains should be washed, read here.

Features for different types of curtains

Washing methods will differ depending on the type of curtains. One matter requires a careful attitude towards itself. Other fabrics can tolerate high temperatures.

For example, velvet curtains cannot be machine washed, but cotton curtains can easily tolerate such processing.

With hooks

Do not wash curtains with hooks in a washing machine - hooks must be removed before processing.

If this is not possible, for example, if there are eyelets, then the curtains are placed in a special bag. Even if the hooks come off during processing, they will remain inside and will not damage the drum.

Metal hooks can rust on contact with water... This will lead to the appearance of stains, which will be difficult to get rid of. When washing curtains with hooks, the spin mode is always turned off.

Velvet

Velvet curtains are considered the most capricious. Incorrect washing leads to deformation of the product and to the loss of an attractive texture. Therefore, their owners should not spare money for dry cleaning.

If it was decided to wash the velvet product by hand, then the following recommendations must be observed:

• take water into the bath, its temperature should not exceed 30 degrees;
• turn the curtains with a nap inward and soak them;
• gently rinse the fabric without crushing it;
• rinse the product;
• the fabric is not wrung out, not folded into a bundle.

Linen

Many housewives make mistakes when washing linen curtains, treating them with insufficient care. Despite the fact that the structure of the fabric is rough, it requires delicacy.

Features of washing linen:

1. Shake off dust from the cloth and load into the drum of the washing machine.
2. Set the mode "delicate wash" or "cotton - gentle wash". The water temperature should be no higher than 40 degrees, and the speed of revolutions should not exceed 400.
3. Spread out the curtains to dry on a flat surface.

Linen needs ironing. Even if you hang out wet material, it will not straighten on its own.

Polyester

Polyester is quite durable, so such curtains can be safely loaded into the washing machine.

Key recommendations:

• place the product in the drum;
• set the mode "delicate wash";
• the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees;
• spin is turned off;
• after the end of the cycle, the water is allowed to drain.

Synthetic

Synthetic curtains are thin, they stretch well and are easy to iron. Taking care of them is not difficult.

Key recommendations:

1. Place the curtains in the washing machine.
2. Set the program "synthetics - gentle wash". The water temperature should be 40 degrees, and the spin speed should be from 400 to 500 revolutions.
3. After the end of the cycle, the curtains are slightly dried, ironed and hung on the cornice.

Iron the synthetic curtains through gauze or other suitable fabric.

Viscose

Viscose is a synthetic material. Curtains made of it are soft and tender. You have to wash them often.

Important recommendations:

• place the product in a bag for washing;
• set the mode "silk" or "delicate wash";
• the water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees;
• spinning is recommended to be disabled;
• pour liquid detergent into the compartment of the washing machine;
• wait for the end of the cycle;
• spread the curtains on a flat surface to dry completely.

You can iron viscose curtains at temperatures no higher than 150 degrees.

Nylon

Nylon curtains are thin, so they should not be washed regularly. To get rid of dust, it is enough to walk over their surface with a vacuum cleaner. When the curtains are heavily soiled, they are hand-treated.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Prepare detergent solution. The water temperature should be no more than 30 degrees.
2. The canvas is soaked for 15 minutes.
3. Gently wrinkle the wet cloth with your hands.
4. Rinse the product, let the water drain and hang it on the cornice.

Cotton

Cotton is a durable fabric that is machine washable. Basic recommendations for product processing:

• clean the curtains from dust;
• place them in the drum of the washing machine;
• set the program "cotton - gentle wash" or "delicate" mode;
• the speed of revolutions should not exceed 500, and the water temperature - 60 degrees;
• wait for the end of the cycle;
• dry and iron the curtains, hang them on the cornice.

To get rid of creases and folds, the cotton fabric is ironed slightly damp, or using steam.

Japanese

Japanese curtains can be made from various fabrics. The rules for caring for them will depend on this.

Important recommendations:

1. Japanese curtains are very thin, so you should wash them as little as possible.
2. The water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees.
3. For washing in an automatic machine, a bag must be used.

It is not recommended to iron Japanese curtains. They are hung wet on the cornice. They dry quickly.

For Bath

Bath curtains require regular cleaning. It is recommended to give preference to hand wash. Both washing powders and soap solution are used.

Use a brush to get rid of the dirt that often accumulates at the bottom of the product. With its help, the curtain is gently but intensively rubbed, and then rinsed with clean water.

You don't need to dry your bath curtains. They are hung on hooks wet. The water will drain into the tub, and the product will straighten out.

Roll

Rolled cloth can be cleaned without removing. For their processing, the following devices are used:

1. Vacuum cleaner. They are passed over the entire surface of the curtains.
2. Wet matter. It can be used to remove stains and dust.
3. A sponge soaked in soapy water. It is used for greasy stains.
4. Eraser. Dark streaks are removed.

Roller blinds are the most picky to care for.

Tulle

Tulle requires gentle handling. However, its undoubted advantage is that it is easy to clean.

To prevent matter from deforming, you must use the following recommendations:

• shake off dust from the fabric;
• place it in a laundry bag;
• load into the machine, setting the mode "delicate wash" or "silk";
• the water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees, and the spin is turned off completely;
• wash the product and leave to dry unfolded.

The tulle should be washed using liquid detergents. Hang the tulle slightly damp. This will eliminate ironing.

Blackout

Blackout is a blackout curtain that does not let in sunlight. It is recommended to clean them by hand without removing them from the eaves. A vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth are used for this purpose.

If it becomes necessary to wash curtains, then preference is given to manual processing.... However, it will be difficult to cope with the task alone, since they are very heavy when wet. Hang them slightly damp. The canvases will completely expand under their own weight.

Blackout will tell you about washing curtains this article.

With eyelets

When processing curtains with eyelets it is recommended not to machine wash. When this is not possible, they must be placed in a mesh bag. If the iron ring breaks off, it will remain inside it and will not damage the drum.

The water temperature and washing mode depends on what kind of fabric the curtains are made of.... Spinning is not recommended. To prevent the iron rings from dulling or rusting, wipe them immediately after washing with a soft cloth.

Thread

When washing of cotton curtains the most important thing is to prepare them correctly.

Guide to action:

1. Weave the curtains into braids.
2. Place them in a laundry bag.
3. Set the “gentle” mode with a water temperature of no more than 40 degrees.
4. Cotton curtains can be wrung out at a speed of 400-500 rpm.
5. Remove the product from the bag and immediately hang it on the cornice. When they are in place, they are unwound and allowed to dry completely.

If you do not first braid braids from the curtains, they will become very tangled. It will be difficult to spread them out.

What if you sat down?

If after washing the curtains have sat down, you can take the following actions:

1. Unfold the bottom hem. On many products, it is wide enough, so it allows you to hide a shrinkage of 2 cm.
2. Extend the length of the curtains with a fringe, which is sewn at the bottom.
3. Purchase hooks that are long.
4. Move the ceiling cornice.

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

To prevent the curtains from shrinking, you need to observe the temperature regime of washing, do not wring them out and dry them in a straightened form.

How to dry?

To properly dry the curtains and not damage the product, the following rules must be observed:

1. Allow water to drain completely into the tub if the fabric is thin. Then the product can be hung out immediately.
2. Spread the curtains on a flat surface with a cloth underneath. This method is suitable for heavy, durable products.
3. Do not try to dry folded curtains. Creases will remain on them, which will be difficult to get rid of.

It is recommended to iron the linen wet. If time has been lost, use the steam function. It is forbidden to dry curtains on radiators or near sources of fire.

Dry cleaning services

Dry cleaning includes curtains, which are problematic to wash on their own.

These can be products from:

• natural silk;
• wool;
• blackout curtains;
• velvet curtains.

All of them are expensive, so care for them should be entrusted to professionals.

You can take the curtains to the company yourself, or call a courier at home. In this case, you will need to pay extra for delivery Experts will not only rid the curtains of dirt and dust, but also iron them... Some organizations offer their clients to hang them on the cornice.

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

Important recommendations

To prevent washing curtains from spoiling them, the following recommendations must be observed:

1. Do not place products that differ in color or material in the washing machine. They require separate processing.
2. When using stain removers for the first time, they must first be tested on an inconspicuous area of ​​fabric.
3. For the curtains to rinse well, the drum must be half full. Therefore, massive canvases must be washed one at a time.
4. If the house has a laundry bag of a suitable size, then you should not refuse to use it.

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

Conclusion

Keeping the curtains in perfect condition is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The most important thing is to decide on the type of material and choose the right program on the washing machine.... Knowing small secrets will significantly save time on processing curtains.