Washing curtains gone wrong

Yorkie006

Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what I did wrong.
I decided to wash my blackout curtains for the first time since I bought them in the spring, because they were a bit dirty/dusty.
The care label said delicate wash at 30 C. I did that but the lining has come off in places, so those parts are not blackout anymore and the main fabric is showing from the lining side and now the curtains ruined. See photos below for details. The lining used to be completely white.
I don't have another set of curtains to fit this window so will have to use these until I can buy new ones. I liked those so will most likely buy the same again.
I used the delicate wash program on the washing machine (30 C), not sure what the spin speed is, as there's no way to change it. The program only says 'delicate 30 C' on the control panel. I used non-bio laundry gel in case it makes a difference.
What did I do wrong? I don't want to buy new curtains only for them to get ruined again when I wash them...
Thanks!

SaverRate

Had this issue with Dunelm curtains as the blackout was like a plastic covering.
Purchased Next curtains which had a fabric blackout layer and no problems since. 
Can you try sewing a another blackout layer to the back or will that not help?

Nelliegrace

Take them back and complain.

Yorkie006

Nelliegrace said:

Take them back and complain.

I bought them in spring, I don't think they'd accept my complain after using them for several months without any issues. They'll probably just say I didn't follow washing instructions...

Yorkie006

SaverRate said:

Had this issue with Dunelm curtains as the blackout was like a plastic covering.
Purchased Next curtains which had a fabric blackout layer and no problems since. 
Can you try sewing a another blackout layer to the back or will that not help?

The backing had a rubbery feel to it. I don't think I can add another layer, the extendable curtain pole is already bending a bit under the weight, adding more would probably make is snap. The front part is made out of fairly strong canvas-type fabric so the curtains are quite heavy (doesn't help that the curtains are quite long but narrow so the weight distribution is not great) It's a good suggestion but would not work in this case.

twopenny

I have seperate black out/thermal linings (can't remember which but does the same job) - and they just hook over the same hooks as the curtains which means no sewing.

Did you wash these with anyting else? It looks like a fold or something has weakened that part. Probably from packaging then with the weight of a crate of others on top.

I have some lining I use as a blind in summer. It looks a lot like that with a coating on it. Personally I wouldn't wash it. But I did try to adjust the velchro I use and the coating came off which I thought it might.

Where did you buy them? Have you looked online for any reviews (not on their site) where others have encountered this? You could use it as back up for a complaint.

Laurasiamos

I've had this happen to me twice before. Once with a pair of Next curtains for my children's room and recently with a pair of Dunelm curtains. Followed the cleaning instructions exactly. 

The curtains were years old at this point so never complained but still frustrating nonetheless. Especially frustrating when we have really awkward window sizes and normally need to alter any curtains we buy. 

badmemory

If it is on a fold it could be exposure to the sun.

Yorkie006

Laurasiamos said:

I've had this happen to me twice before. Once with a pair of Next curtains for my children's room and recently with a pair of Dunelm curtains. Followed the cleaning instructions exactly. 

Seems really weird that they make supposedly machine washable curtains that get so easily ruined. Mine were from ebay so no idea what brand but from Next/Dunelm I'd expect better quality. Who can afford to buy new curtains after every wash? I don't think many people have spare curtains for every window either. Mine specifically said 'no dry cleaning' so washing was the only option.
Note to self - don't buy curtains with rubbery/plastic lining... just in case, even if the label says they can be washed.

wort

I would take them back, it’s definitely worth it to try. Plus they won’t know this is a problem unless people complain. They may have had complaints and done a product recall that you didn’t know about.
If no joy them I’d be tempted to cut out the lining, and buy a separate one ,it could be hung on the same hooks. Even the cost of a better pole may be cheaper than new curtains, I’m not sure I’d get the same ones.

JIL

@Yorkie006 can I just ask as I cant quite figure it out. Did you buy the curtains from ebay? 

Asking as we would not know the history of the curtains. Its possible that the damage could have been caused by something you werent aware of, such as the lining coming into contact with heat, then when they have been washed they disintegrated in parts.

I would get my scissors out and cut all the lining off.