How to Clean Curtains and Drapes for Spotless Window Treatments

In addition to dust and grime, sun is destructive to fabrics. Light-colored fabrics generally reflect sunlight and resist fading. Dark colors, however, absorb light and fade. To protect fabrics on your home's furnishings from the sun, use lined window treatments, blinds, or shades. Also, consider fade-resistant fabric materials when shopping for curtains.

Daily care of lined draperies or drapery panels is simple. Give them a gentle shake as they are drawn closed at night. This will prevent dust and dirt from lodging in the fibers. Every month or so, vacuum curtains with a handheld vacuum and soft brush attachment. Use the low-section setting if your vacuum has one. Always make sure that trims, buttons, and other embellishments are secure before vacuuming.

Wash plain-panel or simply constructed draperies only when they are labeled washable. If your curtains are washable, remove hooks, rings, and hardware. Check that the trims are tightly attached.

Unless the directions instruct otherwise, machine-wash window treatments on a short, gentle cycle, using cool water and mild detergent. Be careful not to overload the washing machine. Tumble dry window treatments on the low or air setting, or line dry. Complete the cleaning process by ironing curtains on their reverse side.

Accidents happen. If you find dirt, sticky kid fingerprints, or other stains on your curtains, turn to mild liquid dish soap. To spot-clean curtain stains, dissolve a few drops of soap into warm water and gently work the suds into the stain with a sponge. Blot with a clean cloth, repeating as needed until the stain is gone. If machine-washable, launder curtains on a gentle cycle. Use our stain removal guide to treat specific stains, like wine, coffee, and ink.

There are many reasons not to wash draperies. First, if the drapery, lining, or any trims and embellishments aren't washable. Or if the drapery and lining are made of different fibers. In this case, one might shrink, causing the other to pucker and hang poorly. Also avoid laundering if sunlight has weakened the fabric, if the draperies are constructed with pleats (which might not hold their shape during machine-washing), or if the draperies are too large for your washing machine.

If your curtains appear wrinkled after drying, an iron or steamer will help return window treatments to their former glory. Iron on the reverse side of curtains. If seams have puckered, spritz lightly with plain water. Pull the seams to stretch back to size, taking care not to break the stitching. Reattach metal hardware only after the curtains are dry.

Alternately, a steamer can make quick work of stubborn wrinkles. Hang curtains from the rod and grab a ladder or chair. Steam the front of the panels from top to bottom. For delicate materials, use a low heat setting.

Remove dust from lace curtains by tumbling in the dryer on the air cycle. Many new lace curtains are hand- or machine-washable. Follow the label directions or gently wash in cool water. Use detergent made for fine washables.

For extra body, dip freshly washed lace curtains in a light starch solution. For a soft look, re-hang the curtains without starching while they are slightly damp. If you use metals hooks, temporarily place a piece of tissue paper under each hook where it comes in contact with the damp lace. This will prevent the hook from rusting onto the fabric.

Most sheers are washable synthetics. Unless the label states otherwise, wash in the same manner as lace curtains. Dry-clean organdy sheers, which are fragile and prone to sun damage.