How to clean your curtains

Because curtains are made of woven fabric, and they spend large portions of the time folded into pleats, dust, pet hair and even mould gathers on them. Over time this builds up so even if they don’t look dirty, they’re not helping you keep a clean, healthy home, stirring up dust every time they move. Cleaning instructions for curtains differ depending on the fabrics used and whether they are lined or unlined so if yours have a cleaning instruction label, follow these directions. If not, here are our professional tips on curtain cleaning.

Table of contents

• How often should you clean your curtains?

• How do I care for new custom-made curtains?

• How to clean your curtains

How often should you clean your curtains?

There is no strict schedule, but a light vacuum every few weeks stops dust and pet hair building up in the pleats, and a more thorough clean once or twice a year keeps the fabric fresh. Curtains in high-traffic or damp rooms, such as living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms prone to condensation, benefit from more frequent attention. If anyone in your home has allergies, regular gentle cleaning makes a noticeable difference, as curtains trap airborne dust and pollen.

How do I care for new custom-made curtains?

Your custom-made curtains will be a little stiff having just come from our Nelson workroom, so getting them to sit correctly will take some manual adjustment for the first few weeks. The space between pleats at the top of the curtain will also need to be trained whenever they pop out of place, and it’s important to ensure everything is shaped nicely before putting your curtains into tiebacks or holdbacks.

How to clean your curtains

For everyday care, gentle is best. Follow the care label if your curtains have one; otherwise these professional tips suit most custom-made curtains:

• Vacuum on a low suction setting, ideally with a soft brush attachment, working from top to bottom to lift dust from the pleats and hems.

• Spot clean minor marks with a damp sponge or microfibre cloth and a little mild detergent, blotting rather than rubbing, and avoid soaking the fabric.

• Air your curtains occasionally by opening the windows on a dry day, which helps prevent musty smells and moisture building up.

• Do not machine wash or dry clean custom-made curtains, as it can shrink or distort the fabric and lining.

If your curtains have mould spots or heavy staining, avoid an aggressive home wash. See our guide on how to stop your curtains getting damp and mouldy for prevention, and consider a specialist curtain cleaner for anything beyond a light spot clean.

If your curtains are past the point of cleaning, it may be time to replace your curtains, and a free in-home consultation is the easiest way to find the right replacement.