Have You Cleaned Your Curtains Lately?

When was the last time you cleaned your curtains, shades or drapes? It is easy to neglect these, but a regular cleaning is important to keeping your home smelling its best. Sometimes a simple dusting will do the trick with a vacuum hose. Vacuuming is also a great way to keep your fabrics clean so you won’t have to wash them often.

However, washing your draperies is still needed to keep them looking their best. If your curtains are made out of a synthetic fabric a good soaking in cold water will help dissolve the dust.

Hand washing is the preferable method, but if you must wash your curtains in the machine, it is recommended you put them in a pillowcase to protect them. Make sure when running them through the washing machine you use the delicate cycle. Woolite is my preference when washing my curtains, but hand soap is another great alternative (especially when washing delicate draperies. To avoid colors fading from your well matched curtains, try adding a pinch of salt to the water. Salt can also help with any yellowing, just allow the curtains to soak overnight before washing. Another fun tip, to give your curtains a wonderful smell, put a few drops of your favorite essential oil into the water.

Remember to never put your drapes in the dryer, air drying is ideal for giving them time to drip dry. If you hang them while they are still wet (obvious, I know, but sometimes things happen and we forget) so you won’t have to iron them.

What are some of your best cleaning tips when it comes to drapes? How often do you wash your curtains?