How to clean your curtains

A how-to guide for cleaning common curtain types.

Taken the plunge and invested in some new curtains? Considering buying some new curtains and wondering what kind of curtains are the easiest to keep clean? Curtains are a huge part of the look and feel of your home, and even though they are not an item you might think requires regular cleaning, treating them well and giving them some TLC, will keep them looking fresh and beautiful for many years to come. 

In this handy guide, we are going to go into the finer points of how to clean your curtains, and then provide you with some advice on what styles of curtains will work best for your home.

Looking for high-quality curtains? Curtains from iSeekBlinds are your first choice for premium Australian-made curtains. Contact our friendly team today to discuss your options or to ask questions. 

Cleaning your blackout curtains.

Blackout curtains are an obvious choice for many homeowners who want to enjoy privacy and a reduction in sunlight, without compromising on the style and aesthetic appeal of a high-quality curtain. Blackout, or blockout, curtains are named because they eliminate sunlight from a room by the nature of their construction.

Many blackout curtains are made from thick fabric and have a durable acrylic coating on the back to achieve maximum insulation. Some blackout curtains are not able to be machine washed, and so require hand washing instead. 

Cleaning blackout curtains requires a gentle approach:

• Get a gentle fabric cleaning solution or some diluted sugar soap. Soak a foam sponge in the mixture and then wring it out well.
• You can either spot clean or give your curtains a full going-over if you prefer.
• For a full clean, start from the top of each curtain, wiping the front and back of the curtains, ensuring you focus on any areas where the curtains touch the floor as these spots will be particularly dirty.
• Keep the bucket of cleaning solution fresh by changing it whenever it looks dirty. You don’t want to undo all of your hard work by smearing dirt onto your clean curtains!
• Depending on what type of curtain fabric you have, you may be able to pop your curtains in the wash — ensuring they are on a very gentle setting and low temperature.
• Speak to one of our friendly team about washing your blackout curtains to find out what will work best for you.

Cleaning your sheer curtains.

Sheer curtains add style, elegance, and aesthetic appeal to any living space or formal area. A sheer curtain is not going to add a whole lot of privacy, but what it lacks in privacy it makes up for in appeal. Sheers are a great addition to an existing blockout curtain where you want to provide daytime privacy without blocking out a view or sunlight. Many people choose to put sheer curtains on the second level of their home facing out to a view, or to their backyard. You may also want to combine a sheer curtain with a blind or other more private option. That way, you can enjoy a sheer curtain when you want one but also benefit from more seclusion when you need it. 

Cleaning your sheer curtains is a fairly straightforward task, provided you are able to machine wash them on a delicate setting. Otherwise, a spot clean or hand wash is a safer, more gentle option. 

Here are our top tips: 

• Hand washing is the safest option for sheers, as the fabrics are often quite delicate. 
• If machine washing your sheer curtains, opt for a cool or cold wash and use the most gentle setting possible.
• Do not leave your curtains too long between washes. Dirt and dust will build up on the fabric and the natural oils present in the dirt will begin to break down the delicate fabric.
• Set yourself a reminder on a calendar or make a note to wash curtains once every four-to-six months. That way your sheer curtains always look their best.
• Do not tumble dry your sheer curtains — use a flat or line drying method and ensure you take your curtains out of the machine as soon as they are done.

Cleaning your curtain tracks.

Cleaning curtain tracks is commonly known as the bane of any cleaner’s existence. These pesky grooves often accumulate a range of dust and debris and it is difficult to get the right tool to clean your curtain tracks. We have a range of suggestions:

• Buy some large pipe cleaners from your local fabric store and bend these into the shape of your curtain tracks to really get a good clean.
• Make up a mixture of diluted gentle detergent and dip the pipe cleaner into the solution to dislodge any stubborn dirt.
• Use a dry pipe cleaner to go over the curtain tracks again to ensure you haven’t missed any areas.
• Again, as with any other cleaning job, it is important to stay on top of cleaning your curtain tracks. That way you won’t find yourself with a far bigger job than you can tackle.

How to clean different curtain fabrics

Curtains made from a durable fabric are going to prove easiest to clean and will last the longest – but provided that you take care of sheer curtains well, they are going to provide you with years of enjoyment.

There are so many different curtain fabrics out there; the best way to know what works for you is to speak to someone in our team today about what kind of curtains you need and then go from there.

What next?

If you’re in need of some inspiration, visit our gallery or Instagram page for ideas and real-life photos from our customers.  Once you’ve decided which product you prefer, make use of our free fabric samples. They will allow you to see and feel the fabrics before selecting the one you like best.

So, if you've got a home that could benefit from a refresh, let us help you! The DIY process is easy to follow, and it will make a world of difference to your home, we promise.

Need some help? You can either Contact our customer service team or book in a free design consultation with me.

Thanks for reading!
Cheers, 

Mike Gubby. 

---