How do you care for and clean curtains?

Start with the care instructions

Every curtain fabric comes from a supplier with its own care instructions: whether it can be washed, whether it can be dry cleaned, ironed or steamed. Your retailer can give you these for the fabric you chose. They overrule any general advice, including this page.

Regular care

• Dust. Vacuum gently with a soft brush on low suction, or shake the curtain out.
• Air. Open windows and draw curtains back when you can. Damp air and condensation on the glass can lead to mould on the fabric nearest the window.
• Handle a curtain by its wand or its leading edge, with clean hands.
• Keep sheers clear of window locks, pets and rough surfaces, which snag.

Marks and spills

Blot a fresh mark with a clean, dry, white cloth. Do not rub. Check the care instructions before using water or any cleaning product, because some fabrics mark. If they allow it, test on a hidden spot first and stop if the colour moves. For anything set in, ask a professional curtain cleaner.

Washing, dry cleaning and steam

• Shrinkage. Natural fibres such as linen and cotton can shrink when washed. A made to order curtain is made to the millimetre, so a small change shows at the floor.
• Coated blockout. Many coated or self lined blockout fabrics must not be machine washed, tumble dried or ironed on the coated side, because the coating can crack or stick.
• Steam and heat. Some fabrics take steam well and some mark or shrink. Check the care instructions before anyone applies steam or heat.

Sun

Sunlight fades and weakens every fabric over time, some faster than others. A lining takes the sun in place of the face fabric.

Your curtain retailer knows which fabric you have and can give you its care instructions. Speedy Blinds makes for retailers and does not deal with homeowners directly.