Even if you clean your room, you tend to put off caring for your curtains. Don’t you think that washing curtains is somehow difficult? Washing curtains is very easy once you know how to wash and dry them. This time, I will explain in detail how to wash curtains at home.
How often do you wash your curtains?
How often should curtains be washed? In general, it is said that the frequency of washing curtains at home is once a year for drape curtains (thick curtains) and two to three times a year for lace curtains. In fact, there should be many people who have never washed. It would be a good idea to create a washing cycle, such as laundering lace curtains at the turn of the season and drape curtains during general cleaning.
types of stains on curtains
he curtains hanging near the window are dirtier than they look. Also, there are different types of dirt. Dust and exhaust gases that come in from outside when you ventilate, oily smoke and cigarette tar that come out when cooking. Curtains in rooms you don’t use often may have black spots on them due to mold and dust mites. If left unattended, it will be difficult to remove the dirt, so it is better to wash the curtains regularly.
Curtains are dirtier than you think!
I don’t like running through dirty curtains even when I’m ventilating.
Read Also: How to wash rayon material at home?
before washing curtains
Curtains are very dirty unlike clothes that are washed frequently. Here are three things you should do before washing your curtains at home. Even if it’s a little troublesome, the finish after washing will be better, so please do it.
dust off
The only time you think about washing curtains at home is when you’re cleaning the house. Even in general cleaning, we tend to put off washing the curtains. Maybe it’s because you can’t see the stains on the curtains. Even if you can’t see it, the curtains have a lot of dust on them. Try to remove as much dust as possible before washing.
how to dust
Vacuum the dust from the curtains while they are hanging on the curtain rod. Vacuum the entire curtain from top to bottom. There is a lot of dust on the top of the curtain, so be careful when removing it. If the dust is too heavy, it might be better to shake it off on the veranda.
Curtains in rooms that are not used much look dusty.
If you wash it as it is, the water will be full of dust.
take the hook
Curtains that are washed frequently can be washed with the hooks on. However, if the washing frequency is about once a year, even if it is troublesome, it is better to remove the hooks before washing to clean the dirt on the hooks. Soak the removed hooks in a washbasin or similar solution with detergent while washing. If it’s not too dirty, you can clean it by wiping it with a wet towel.
how not to take the hook
If you do not remove the hook when washing, fold it with the hook inside so as not to damage the fabric. In addition, it is a good idea to fold the curtains into long strips and fasten the hooks on top with a thick rubber band before washing. If you wash your curtains without removing the hooks, it will be so easy that you will want to wash them more often.
It’s true that attaching and detaching the hook is quite troublesome.
If you can wash it in a way that does not remove the hook, it will be easier before and after washing!
Remove mold
Curtains near windows often get moldy. Before washing your curtains, check them thoroughly. Even if the front side looks clean, the back side often has black patches of mold growing on it. If there is mold on it, you need to wash it partially or soak it before washing to remove the mold.
How to remove mild mold
For light mildew that is not black, use an old towel dipped in neutral detergent and tap it gently. As the detergent soaks in, the color gradually fades. If it still doesn’t come off, gently scrub with an old toothbrush dipped in detergent. The point is to rub gently so as not to damage the curtain. If the mold is light, you can easily remove it by simply rubbing it lightly.
How to remove heavy mold
When you have a lot of mold, it is recommended to soak and wash it. Soak with a detergent “oxygen bleach” that does not cause color fading.
- Fill the bathtub with hot water of about 40 degrees and dissolve the oxygen bleach well.
- Put in the curtain and let it soak (within 30 minutes).
- After rinsing it well, put it in the laundry net and wash it in the washing machine.
Washing picture display check
Some curtains cannot be washed at home. Before washing, it is important to check the “washing picture label” attached to the curtain. First, check if it’s machine washable or if it’s better to hand wash. If there is a non-washable pictogram, don’t force yourself to wash it in the washing machine or hand wash it.
If there is a hand wash mark on the washing picture display
The “hand wash mark” is a mark that indicates that you need to wash your hands carefully. That doesn’t mean you have to wash your hands instead of using the washing machine. All you have to do is wash them carefully in the weak water mode (fashionable course or dry course) of the washing machine.
How to wash the curtains in the washing machine
How to wash your curtains at home can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite easy. Because the washing machine does it all. However, there are a few tricks to successfully washing curtains at home. Here are some tips on how to wash and dry your clothes when using a washing machine.
How to choose detergent
Curtains often use special materials. If you are concerned about color fading or shrinkage, use a neutral detergent regardless of the washing instructions. Emar and Akron, which are fashionable detergents, are recommended. Of course, it can be used not only by hand but also in the washing machine. Besides curtains, it can also be used for washing clothes on a daily basis, so it’s a good idea to keep one on hand.
use fabric softener
It is recommended to use fabric softener along with detergent. Softener not only has the effect of preventing static electricity, but also has the effect of refreshing your mood with your favorite scent. It also has the effect of preventing pollen and dust from sticking to the curtain. Also, fabric softener has the effect of preventing wrinkles that occur during washing, so using fabric softener also has the advantage of making it even more beautiful. Softeners are available in a wide variety of scents and effects. Prepare whatever you like.
Washing tips
There are only 4 tips on how to wash clothes in the washing machine. The fabric of curtains can become damaged after years of use. Washing it in a washing machine can make it more damaged, so be sure to follow the washing instructions carefully.
Point ① put it in the laundry net
Be sure to put it in the laundry net so that the curtain will not be damaged. Before putting it in the laundry net, fold it in mountain folds and valley folds and zigzags. If you fold it along the pleats of the curtain, the pleats will look nice after washing. After folding it into a long and thin shape, fold it into a small size according to the size of the laundry net. Zig-zag folding will help the detergent to penetrate the entire curtain.
Point 2: Use weak current mode (dry course or fashionable course)
Various materials are used for curtains. Even if there is no “hand wash mark” on the washing picture, it is safe to wash it in the washing machine on the dry cycle or the fashionable cycle in the gentle cycle mode. If it is very dirty, it is a good idea to add some detergent and let it sit for a while before running the washing machine.
Point 3 Keep dehydration short
Dehydration is set to a short period of about 30 seconds. If you can’t set the washing machine, let’s stop it manually. If you dehydrate for a long time, the curtain will be damaged or wrinkled, so be careful.
Point 4: Do not use the dryer
It can be washed and dried, and the curtains can be washed with a drum-type washing machine, which is popular for its high water-saving effect. When washing curtains in a drum-type washing machine, you need to be a little careful. It is a convenient drum type that even dries, but drying is not necessary for washing curtains. It is better not to use the drying function of the front-loading washing machine, as it will damage the curtains.
drying tips
After washing in the washing machine, do not leave it unattended and dry it as soon as possible. To dry, attach a hook and hang it on the curtain rail. Even if you don’t devise a way to dry the curtain, the weight of the curtain will stretch the wrinkles out of the entire curtain. The trick to drying is to spread the curtains out as much as possible and open the window to let the breeze in, which will speed up the drying process. If it is cold in winter with the windows open, turn on the heater to dry the clothes. It also has the advantage of being humidified in a nice way and being a countermeasure against drying due to heating.
There is also a way to dry using a heater.
From now on, you can wash your curtains at home without worrying about the cold of winter.
How to dry thick curtains
Thick curtains are quite heavy after washing. If you hang it on the curtain rail as it is, it may be too heavy and the curtain rail may be deformed. To eliminate that worry, use a clothesline to dry thick curtains. It will dry faster if you dry it in such a way that you pull the fabric firmly to straighten out the wrinkles.
How to hand wash curtains
If you are worried about washing the curtains in the washing machine, wash them by hand. Washing curtains by hand at home is very similar to washing them in the washing machine. The only thing to pay attention to when washing your hands is how you wash them. Wash it so it doesn’t wrinkle.
Hand wash procedure
Fill the bathtub with enough water to cover the curtain and dissolve the detergent. Put the curtain in and gently press it to wash. If you wash the curtains by rubbing them, wrinkles will form and the curtains will be damaged, so be sure to wash them by pressing. After washing, rinse thoroughly until no bubbles appear. Finally, soak in water with softener dissolved in it for 2-3 minutes, then squeeze lightly without rinsing. After that, put it in a laundry net and dehydrate it in a washing machine. Dry in the same way as when washing in a washing machine.
clean around the curtains
Let’s clean around the curtains while the washing machine is washing the curtains. Even if the curtains are clean, it is meaningless if they get dirty again. The presence of curtains is a chance to clean places that are usually difficult to clean.
How to clean the curtain rail
Curtain rail grooves are very difficult to clean. Wrap a cloth or kitchen paper dampened with water around the disposable chopsticks and push it into the groove to wipe off. For dirt on the upper part of the curtain rail, use a vacuum cleaner to roughly remove the dust, and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. It is a good idea to use a handy mop to remove dust from this area during regular cleaning.
I usually don’t clean the top of the curtain rail at all!
You just have to dust yourself off on a regular basis.
Mildew prevention for easy washing of curtains
The main cause of mold on curtains is condensation that occurs in winter. Curtains near windows tend to get wet easily and mold easily. To prevent mold, it is important to take care of it frequently. Even if it’s a bit of a hassle, keeping your curtains mold-free will save you a lot of hassle when washing your curtains.
Wipe away condensation
Wipe off the condensation on the windows frequently before the moisture seeps into the curtains. Condensation is especially likely to occur in winter. Frequent wiping off of winter condensation will prevent mold not only on curtains but also on wallpaper around windows.
Ventilate frequently
Even if you wipe off the dew condensation frequently in winter, if the humidity in the room is high, it will be easy for mold to grow. It is important to keep the humidity in the room low by opening the windows and ventilating the room frequently. If you can’t ventilate, try to be conscious of humidity by turning on a ventilation fan or using a dehumidifier.
Use anti-mildew spray
Spraying your curtains with a fabric mold spray will help prevent mildew from forming. Using the anti-mold spray is very easy. Simply spray from a distance on new or clean curtains after washing. It’s easy to use, so you should try it once.
summary
Did you know that it’s easy to wash curtains at home once you know how to do it? These two points make it easier to wash curtains at home by removing dust from the curtains during regular cleaning and preventing mold from forming. If you wash your clothes more often and use your favorite fabric softener, you’ll be able to smell the scent in your room and feel refreshed.