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.Oct 24, 2018
Some curtains may have a label that reads dry clean only. … If you do decide to try to machine or hand wash dry clean only curtains, use a very mild detergent and a gentle cycle. Don’t wash anything else with them in the cycle as they may not be colorfast.
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.
If you have polyester, cotton, even linen curtains, then in most cases, you can most certainly wash them in the machine. If you have silk, velvet, or organza curtains, then in most cases, you’ll need to send them to the dry cleaner.
The basics of washing lined curtains and drapes
First, if your curtains are lined, there is the possibility that creasing and distortion of the curtain lining can occur by regular washing. … Apply a light amount of soap and operate the washing machine with cold water.
Thankfully, with a little time and effort, you can wash most of your “dry clean” or “dry clean only” clothing at home. Cotton, linens, and durable polyesters can be washed in the washing machine, so long as they are placed in a laundry mesh bag and set at the most gentle cycle using a mild detergent and cold water.
Most curtains are ‘dry-clean only’, but there is still the danger that they could shrink during the cleaning process. Believe it or not, dry cleaners have an acceptable level of ‘shrinkage’. This is between 3-4% of the material, so don’t be too alarmed if they are returned to you slightly smaller than before.
Drycleaning is very similar to regular home laundering, but a liquid solvent is used to clean your clothes instead of water and detergent. The solvent contains little or no water, hence the term “dry cleaning”. … Your clothes do get wet, but the liquid solvent used evaporates much more quickly than water.
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.
While some curtains are okay to toss in the washer and others require dry cleaning, you may want to use a third cleaning method: steam. Most curtains hold up well under steam cleaning. However, if your curtains are made of dralon or velvet, do not use steam because it can damage them.
Others have metal rings and buttons, these types of curtains when washed using a machine, the rings and buttons might get detached from the fabric causing damage to the fabric. Washing it improperly will not just damage the fabric but it might also harm the machine. … If the curtains are large, do them one at a time.
Wash Polyester Curtains Once Every Season
Every few months, machine-wash the panels in cold water on a gentle cycle. Use a mild laundry soap that’s free of brightening ingredients or bleach, which can affect the color of polyester fabric. For delicate or embellished panels, hand-washing is a safer alternative.
Depending on your curtains, you may be able to throw them in the washer. … If you have heavy or dry clean only curtains and need more of a steam clean, BISSELL Professional Deep Cleaning with Febreze will freshen your curtains and leave them smelling springy fresh.
Most people send items to be dry cleaned because they are wrinkled or because they no longer smell fresh. If the item isn’t actually dirty, you don’t need to take it to the dry cleaners. Instead, save money and reduce wear on the item by freshening between cleanings—we recommend steaming.
What might happen if you wash a dry clean only garment? The garment could shrink – not just a little, but significantly. Some garments will shrink 2-3 sizes or more; drapes can shrink to half their size. … The fabric or lining of your garment could tear.
Why Clothes Are Labeled “Dry Clean Only”
A number of materials simply can’t be washed in standard detergent and water as you would put into a washing machine; either the chemicals in the detergent would damage the material, or the water would cause the material to shrink or otherwise be negatively affected.
This is actually why most manufacturers will include a few folds of extra fabric at the base of the curtains to handle any possible “shrinkage”, but not at the sides. Unfortunately, once the curtains are made without fabric pre-shrinking, there is no way to reverse the situation.
A six-monthly clean also keeps your curtains in pristine condition, as well as being healthier for your home. If you regularly get bored with the look of your home a change of curtains, cushions and soft furnishings once every six months or so lets you toy with creative ideas.
Wash on Gentle Only
Choose cold water and the delicate cycle. Use mild laundry detergent for the washer. Give the drapes or curtains plenty of room in the washing machine so they are not crushed, especially as they tumble or agitate.
The dry cleaning industry can be divided into 3 sectors: coin-operated facilities, commercial operations, and industrial cleaners. Coin-operated facilities are usually part of a laundry supplying “self-service” dry cleaning for consumers. Only synthetic solvents are used in coin operated dry cleaning machines.
It also has some disadvantages. For instance, cloths may lose their color when soaked in water, or the fabric may crease and shrink, losing shape. Dry cleaning eliminates the use of water, thus eliminating the possibility of these disadvantages.
And thats because dry cleaning is a water-less process that does not remove odors as readily as general laundry. … So garments that smell of body odor, smoke, mold or even perfume need special attention in addition to the normal dry cleaning process for complete odor removal.
Blockout Curtains must be hand washed because the machines can easily ruin the layers. Gently squeeze and scrub the curtain fabric with your hands.
Related Searches
can i wash dry clean only polyester curtains
how to machine wash dry clean only curtains
can you steam dry clean only curtains
how to clean curtains without washing
dry cleaners that do curtains
how to wash curtains
how to clean curtains while hanging
dry cleaning curtains near me