Curtains may be one of the most neglected aspects of your home when it comes to cleaning. After you hang them, it is easy to forget that they require upkeep as well. Curtains easily collect dust and dirt which not only can be detrimental to your health but can also leave a less than pleasant look.
How to Care for Curtains
Adding style and privacy to your home is easy with the right curtains or drapery. It’s also easy to keep your drapes and curtains looking great for years to come with the proper care. Whether you need to clean delicate sheer curtains or keep your lined curtains from losing their crispness, the following suggestions will help you preserve your favorite window accessories.
Protect your curtains from sunlight damage.
If your windows receive a lot of direct sunlight, the drapes and curtains you hang can fade over time. Lined curtains are a great option to prevent fading, as the lining will protect the outer fabric of your curtains from damage. You can also refrain from hang dark-colored curtains in the windows that receive the most sunlight, these fade much quicker than lighter colored fabrics.
Vacuum your curtains once a month.
To prevent dust from accumulating in the folds of your curtains, you’ll want to use a hand-held vacuum and a brush attachment at least once a month to remove dust and dirt. Before vacuuming any heavy curtains, however, make sure that there are no embellishments or loose trims that could be snagged or damaged.
Wash curtains when they’re especially dirty.
You may occasionally need to wash the curtains in your home, especially kitchen curtains that absorb cooking odors and splattered grease over time. To do this, read the care instructions on the tag carefully. Curtains made of cotton and linen can usually be machine washed, but silk curtains should almost always be washed by hand. Before washing any type of curtains, test a small patch with water to see how the fabric reacts. Some silk curtains or other delicate draperies may bleed their color when first washed. Whichever way you decide to wash your curtains, machine wash or hand wash, be sure to always use cool water and a mild detergent so that they don’t shrink or damage.
Press your curtains when necessary.
You’ll need to press your curtains when you wash them, of course, but you may also need to iron your curtains more often to refresh the fabric and keep pleats looking crisp. To iron your curtains without damaging the fabric, always turn them inside out, put your iron on a low setting and gently glide the iron over the material. Check the care label on sheer curtains before ironing them. Curtains with embellishments must be pressed carefully so that the fabric doesn’t pucker and the embellishments aren’t damaged.
Call a Professional
If you are feeling unsure about how exactly to go about cleaning your drapery, you can always call a professional like Sincerely Yours Inc. These qualified professionals will make sure that the proper tools and detergents are used to deep clean and get your curtains looking like new.
Keeping up with your drapes and curtains may seem redundant and unnecessary but in reality it is the opposite. Caring for your curtains and making sure that they are dust-free is helpful at managing indoor allergies and asthma as well as keeping your curtains looking fresh and last a long time.
