We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING
Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Cleaning curtains
Options
mum2kathryn
Posts: 214 Forumite
Hi All,
My living room curtains are looking very grimy. I've had a look at previous posts about cleaning curtains which seem to suggest a gentle wash would be Ok, although they might shrink a bit (I've been meaning to take them up for the last 18 months anyway :embarasse ). The only problem is they've got a tassle trim all down one edge - do you think it will survive?
The other option is I've got a steam cleaner - will this help?
TIA.
Niki
My living room curtains are looking very grimy. I've had a look at previous posts about cleaning curtains which seem to suggest a gentle wash would be Ok, although they might shrink a bit (I've been meaning to take them up for the last 18 months anyway :embarasse ). The only problem is they've got a tassle trim all down one edge - do you think it will survive?
The other option is I've got a steam cleaner - will this help?
TIA.
Niki
0
Comments
-
Hiya - do they have washing instructions on the side to give you a guide? I`m sure someone will be long in a moment to help re steam cleaning. The trouble is if they shrink, they wont shrink uniformly which is always a pain so it may be worth dry cleaning them. Any special offers on in your area right now?0
-
Hi Niki, chances are the trim won't survive.
What usually happens is that the sun rots the fabric/stitching.
Whilst they may state dry-cleanable, then sometimes, even a dry-cleaners might refuse to take them with the trim still attached.
If they have stitched in linings and you wash them, then sometimes the lining will shrink differently to the curtain fabric and may end up wrinkled/puckered along the seam joining the two.Official DFW Nerd Club - Member no: 203.0 -
Thanks for your replies. The curtains appear to be hand made (came with mil's house) so no washing instructions. There's no way I'm unpicking all the trim so my options seem to be:
- dry clean
- steam clean
- leave grubby!
Hmmm....maybe I'll try steaming a small patch. I'll report back if I make any useful discoveries.0 -
Steam cleaning is great for freshening and deodourizing curtains but for proper cleaning you need to wash or dry clean IMO.
What do you think the fabric is made of, are they lined, and how old are they? Both these things have a bearing on whether they are washable.
If you do decide to risk it and wash them I would. Wash one at a time by placing the curtain into on old duvet cover to reduce the friction on the fabric, use cold water with a very mild liquid detergent and the gentlest wash action and spin the machine will do.
I've risked many delicate items in my machine which is an agitator type machine which beats seven kinds of goodness out of everything and it's suprising how much does survive:DLife's a beach! Take your shoes off and feel the sand between your toes.0 -
Thanks Math, I'm not sure what the fabric is, I've got a friend in the fashion trade who is pretty good at fabric identification and whether its washable, so I'll ask her if she pops round.
I'll see how brave I feel at the weekend - putting them in a duvet cover is a good idea. To be honest I'm not that precious about the tassels - I could just cut them off if they get ruined!0 -
i have got some curtains in the lounge and i was desperate to wash them so i did so on a wool wash and i used a very very gentle spin cycle. then i just hang on washing line. they washed fine. only prob is curtains are dark navy and linings are white. or were i should say . they are now a pale blue. bot sure i would of got around this tho.0
-
Well I bit the bullet and put them in the wash. 30 degrees on a synthetic wash, inside a duvet cover (thanks Math!). They seem fine, don't think they've shrunk and even the tassels seem OK. Just got to iron them now....
Niki0 -
Oh the ironings the worst bit, I also decided to wash mine, good luck with that bit! I ended up creasing mine up as they came over the board as they reached the floor and all sorts, what a carry on!One day I might be more organised...........
GC: £200
Slinkies target 2018 - another 70lb off (half way to what the NHS says) so far 25lb0 -
Ummm, I hate ironing at the best of times.
Maybe if I just hang them the creases will drop out?
And I've just remembered I've got to shorten the thermal linings I bought for them.
0 -
I've managed to hang bedroom curtains damp and they fell out, ones I have in living room now were crease mongers and didn't drop out, so had to take them back down and do them.One day I might be more organised...........
GC: £200
Slinkies target 2018 - another 70lb off (half way to what the NHS says) so far 25lb0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 351.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 244.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 599K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177K Life & Family
- 257.4K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards