Curtains are one of the most important part of the beauty of our home, they not only enhance the room’s décor but also provide us privacy, protect us from sunlight, dust, dirt and pollution. However, if the regular cleaning of the curtains is not done then dirty curtains can dirt, allergens and odour making the room atmosphere unhealthy. This highlights that our home is not kept clean and hygienic. 

Therefore, as we clean our other household furniture and stuff, regular cleaning of curtains is also extremely important to maintain hygiene and keep them looking fresh. In this blog, we will walk through different fabrics and curtain cleaning methods which one should definitely try and can also opt for professional cleaning services for curtains.  

Understanding Different Fabrics for Curtain Cleaning

Today, there are many different types of curtain fabrics in the market today, and each one needs to be cleaned according to its specific cleaning specifications. Some of the common curtain fabrics used by people these days are 

• Cotton Fabric is easy to wash, durable, and breathable
• Linen Fabric gives natural look, but it can shrink after first wash 
• Polyester Fabric is Low maintenance and is wrinkle resistant. 
• Silk Fabric is delicate fabric which can be only cleaned with dry or gentle hand wash
• Velvet Fabric is Heavy fabric which can be best maintained by professional cleaning or with vaccum cleaner. 

General Tips for Curtain Cleaning

Below mentioned basic cleaning tips are applicable to whatever curtain fabric you are using, these general tips are effective for quick cleaning

1. Regular Dusting: Curtains should be vacuumed or should be cleaned with brust on regular basis so that dust and dirt does not accumulate. 
2. Spot Cleaning: If the curtain gets spoiled with small stain, then immediately clean it with mild detergent or damp cloth.  
3. Avoid Direct Sunlight: Don’t put the dark colored or silk curtains to dry direct in the sunlight, otherwise the color will fade away 
4. Read Care Labels: Always try to follow the manufacture instructions given on the curtain
5. Use Fabric Freshener: If the curtains don’t look very direty, use fabric freshner spray to keep them fresh and hygiene. 

Different Methods for Curtain Cleaning

• Dry Cleaning Method – If your curtain fabric is delicate like silk or velvt then dry cleaning is the best option for cleaning your curtains. In this method, the curtains are cleaned with special solvents which do not damage the fabric of your curtain. This service is easily available with Professional Dry Cleaners, but one can buy the dry cleaning kits at home and use it to save that expensive costs incurred with professionals. 

• Steam Cleaning Method – Steam Cleaning is one of the best, easy and effective methods to deep clean the curtains. This method cleans bacteria and germs also because of the heat it provides while cleaning. Only a handheld steam cleaner is required which can directly spray steam on the curtains. 

      Steps for Steam Cleaning:

1. Put the curtains on some rod, so that they don’t need to be removed after steam cleaning
2. Plug the Steam Cleaner and wait until it becomes hot
3. Steam nozzle has to be moved on curtains from up to down. 
4. Let curtains dry for some time. 

• Machine Wash Method – If your curtains are made of washable fabric like cotton or polyester, then machine was is best and cost effective method

          Steps for Machine Washing:

1. First and foremost is check curtains care label. 
2. Always wash the curtains on Light cycle or cold water setting machine setting
3. Use mild detergent and avoid bleach. 
4. Dry the curtains naturally or use the dryer in low heat setting karein.

• Hand Wash Method – For Delicate and lace curtains, hand was is the best method. This method is very gentle and it maintains the durability of the fabric. 

Steps for Hand Washing:

1. Fill one bucket or tub with water. 
2. Put mild detergent and mix it properly
3. Put the curtains in the bucket and rub gently, don’t do it harshly. 
4. Rinse the curtains properly with water and to remove the extra water, squeeze the curtains properly
5. Allow them to dry naturally 

• Vacuum Cleaning Method  – If your curtains are not extremely dirty, and only dust removal is required then vacuum cleaner is the best option. Only one upholstery attachment is required which is suitable for fabric cleaning. 

         Steps for Vacuum Cleaning:

1. Use soft brush of Vacuum Cleaner
2. Vacuum the curtains from Top to Bottom gently 
3. Clean the folds and corners properly 
4. Use this method weekly so that curtains don’t get dirty more. 

Cleaning by Different Fabric Types

• Cotton & Linen: Machine Wash or Hand Wash can be used.
• Polyester: Machine Wash, and is easy to maintain
• Silk & Velvet: Dry Cleaning or Steam Cleaning is recommended
• Lace Curtains: Hand Wash is best suitable for this type of curtains

Final Thoughts

It is very important to choose the correct method for curtain cleaning so that the fabric quality is maintained and the environment of your home remains fresh and healthy. Steam Cleaning and Vacuum Cleaning are the best options for regular maintenance of curtains, while Dry Cleaning and Machine Wash are best options for deep cleaning. If your curtains are very dirty, then using Professional services for curtain cleaning is the best option