Proper washing of curtains in a washing machine

One day in your life there comes such an unpleasant moment when you need to wash the curtains. You can try to postpone this event as much as you like, promising yourself "I will do it next weekend, next month", but still there comes a time when washing curtains from a simple requirement becomes a necessity, because unwashed curtains begin to spoil the look of the room with their untidiness or even "Dirty".

Then it is imperative to refer to the instructions "how to wash curtains in a washing machine" so as not to spoil anything and not achieve such a result when you urgently need to buy new curtains, because the washed ones are no longer good for anything.

Preparatory process

Before starting the washing process itself, you need to make sure that this material can be sent for washing and in which mode to wash the curtains in the washing machine. To do this, you need to refer to the characteristics of the fabric - and it is worth proceeding from these data when deciding whether to wash the curtains yourself or take them to a dry cleaner.

It should be remembered that after the first wash, the fabric may shrink a little, especially if it is cotton or linen. If the curtains are made of acrylic, nylon or polyester, they will hardly shrink.

Basic washing rules:

1. Remove the curtains from the eaves carefully.
2. Wash curtains separately (not together with other items).
3. Do not fill the entire space with curtains - it is better to wash them in two stages (first one curtain, then another) so that there are no stains from the detergent.
4. Use a curtain bag with fittings
5. Hand wash if curtain material is unknown.
6. Dublerin and bando with an adhesive base cannot be washed, it is better to take the product to dry cleaning.

Answering the question "is it possible to wash curtains with hooks in the washing machine", we can say that this is not prohibited, but, like curtains with any other accessories (eyelets, bugles, beads), you need to put the product in a specially designed bag, to protect the washing machine drum from damage.

What tools can be used

The first thing to do when inspecting curtains before washing is to figure out if you need detergent. If the curtains are not very dirty (for example, they are simply dusty from time to time), it is better to completely abandon special means, since the water flows coming from the drum of the washing machine will be enough to make the curtains clean again.

If the curtains are very dirty, it is worth choosing detergents in the form of a gel or liquid for use, because with a delicate wash in water with a temperature of 30-40 degrees, the washing powder will not dissolve and stains will remain on the curtains, which will have to spend extra time for the second wash is already just in warm water.

And if you put tulle and one curtain separately in the washing machine, then you will have to repeat as many as 3 washing cycles, which will take the whole day.

Special chemical

For washing curtains, you can now find a lot of different products in household chemical stores. Cleaning of curtains can be carried out both with special gels for washing clothes, and with special detergents for curtains (usually sold in packages with the postmark "for delicate wash").

Also, it is not forbidden to use the now widespread capsules for washing, containing several types of gel or detergent at once. It is very important that the cleaning is carried out precisely with gel or liquid special agents, since powders for washing clothes are not suitable here - they will leave stains on the curtain fabric, so you will have to rinse the curtains either in a machine or by hand, which in any case will take a lot a lot of time.

Folk

Folk remedies are usually used not for regular washing, but for removing stains of various origins.

To clean curtains, you need to remember a few simple rules:

1. The stronger the pollution, the faster you need to start removing it.
2. The edges of the stain should be sprinkled with starch, and then cleaned with a cotton sponge.
3. The trajectory of movement is from the edges of the spot to the center.
4. The trail must be rinsed with warm water.

If a drink stain (wine, coffee, tea) appears on the curtain, you must immediately do the following:

1. Remove the curtain from the eaves.
2. Blot the stain with a napkin.
3. Treat the area of ​​contamination with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
4. Make a solution (1 liter of liquid + 1 tablespoon of vinegar + 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid).
5. Soak the curtain in the solution for 30 minutes.
6. Machine wash the curtain.

If for any reason the curtain is soiled with soot, then you need to follow these instructions:

The first method is to remove the stain with turpentine.

1. Mix turpentine and soap solution.
2. Moisten the stain with the mixture.
3. Wipe the dirt off with a napkin.
4. Clean with a brush and soapy water.
5. Wash the curtain.

If you use a mixture of turpentine + egg yolk, you need to apply a heated composition to the stain and then send the fabric to the washing machine. The second method is to remove the stain with soda.

1. Mix warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
2. Rub the stain with dishwashing liquid.
3. Soak a stained cloth in a baking soda solution for 8 hours.
4. Rinse and dry the curtain.

If there are greasy spots on the curtains (the most popular methods):

1. Place the stained fabric on a piece of paper. Sprinkle talcum powder or potato starch over the stain. Leave for a day.
2. Use chalk or tooth powder.
3. Mix glycerin and ammonia.

Washing curtains depending on the fabric

In order not to be mistaken in choosing a mode (it is better to always use delicate or manual, if you are not sure that you need to turn on another), it is worth keeping labels from curtains bought in a store.

You can, of course, look at the store's website for the characteristics of the same model of curtains that hangs in the room, but it is not at all necessary that this model will be presented in the online store (for example, it could be removed from sale or the material of manufacture changed), so the best the option would be to save the labels, on which, with the help of special characters, the required washing mode, temperature and time are usually indicated.

Silk, organza, half-organza and veil

Fabrics such as silk, voile, organza and semi-organza require special care as they are very delicate and easy to ruin. Curtains made of these fabrics can only be washed at temperatures up to 30 degrees and in the delicate wash mode (the "hand wash" mode is also suitable).

The advantage of such curtains is that there is no need to soak them in advance, since dirt is removed from them very quickly and easily. For the same reason, they are usually washed without detergent, just in warm water.
For washing in a washing machine, you should use a special bag. Do not wash silk, organza, semi-organza curtains or veils with other items. You cannot use a strong spin, you can ruin the fabric. Silk or semi-organza items can be ironed (through the fabric with a lukewarm iron) before hanging.

Acrylic, viscose

Curtains made of acrylic and viscose should be washed at a temperature of 30 to 40 degrees on a gentle cycle with the addition of delicate detergents. If acrylic curtains have become "rough" to the touch from a long exposure to the sun, then you can use a special fabric softener.

If suddenly the viscose or acrylic curtains had to be washed by hand, then in no case should you rub the fabric very hard or twist it into a tight rope, squeezing out the water, because due to aggressive mechanical treatment, the curtain will most likely be damaged.

It is better to iron curtains made of such materials through a damp cloth in the direction of the pile, and set the temperature to about 150 degrees.

Linen and cotton

Linen and cotton are not considered delicate materials, but it is still preferable for them to set the temperature between 30 and 40 degrees, since at higher temperatures, products made from these fabrics can strongly "shrink". If the products are painted in a bright color, it is better to wash them at a lower temperature so that the curtains do not fade.

Cotton curtains can even be washed with powder if you don't have a suitable liquid or gel detergent on hand. Before ironing linen or cotton curtains, they should be slightly sprinkled with water from a spray bottle. They need to be dried at room temperature, heated without using, so that the curtains do not "sat down".

Polyester

In general, polyester curtains are washed in the same way as acrylic or viscose - the temperature should have been up to 40 degrees, it is better to add detergents for delicate fabrics (these actions will prevent the appearance of unnecessary folds on the curtains fabric). When ironing, you need the curtain fabric to be a little damp, and on the iron you should select the "silk" mode.

Taffeta

Taffeta is a material that can be washed at a higher temperature (up to 50 degrees) without the risk of ruining the product. The most important thing is not to use the spin and "standard" washing mode (you need to choose a delicate one). It is also advisable to add special detergents for washing delicate fabrics and not to keep the curtain inside the washing machine for too long after the end of the washing process.

Velvet and other nap curtains

Firstly, it should be noted that it is preferable to take velvet curtains to dry cleaning instead of washing yourself, since velvet is a rather capricious material, and therefore requires a special approach that only a professional can provide, and from improper care of velvet curtains can irrevocably spoil.

But if the circumstances are such that velvet curtains just need to be cleaned at home, then you need to do the following:

1. Fold the curtains so that they do not unfold with the front side (they must be put in the washing machine so that only the wrong side is on all sides).
2. Select a delicate wash cycle.
3. Set the washing temperature to 30 degrees.
4. Select the minimum available wash time so that the velvet garment does not shrink.
5. Disable the spin function.
6. Dry the fabric by flattening it on a horizontal surface with the pile up.

Tapestry

Tapestry curtains are considered the easiest to maintain, since they can be washed in absolutely any mode of the machine and the use of ordinary washing powder is not even prohibited. Such curtains do not even need to be ironed, because they are quite dense and straighten under their own weight, already hanging on the cornice.

Thread constructions

Filament curtains are a new word in the design of rooms and the decoration of premises. To make your life as easy as possible during and after washing, you need to tie the threads in blocks into knots (so that they do not get tangled, since it will take a very long time to untangle them). Then you need to put the curtains in a washing bag.

Such curtains are usually washed for a short time using the delicate mode. You can add the "spin" function to the washing process. You do not need to iron them - after washing, you should untangle them (if necessary) and hang them wet on the cornice. Like tapestry curtains, thread curtains will straighten under their own weight and take on their original appearance.

Roll

Usually, roller blinds are trying to clean, not wash, but this does not always work, sometimes you have to turn to washing. To clean the roller blinds from dirt, you need to remove them from the window and place the fabric in the bathroom, since the curtains of this model are washed only by hand using soap or powder.

Can curtains be washed without ironing

Some curtains may not be ironed after washing, but not all. It depends on the material: if the fabric is dense and heavy enough, wet curtains can be hung on the cornice without preliminary ironing, since the curtains will stretch by themselves under their own weight. If the fabric is very light and practically weightless, then it must be ironed (usually through a cloth) so that the curtain fabric is even and smooth.

When not to machine wash curtains

Some materials should not be machine washed. For example, chintz curtains should only be washed by hand in salted water, and rinsed in water with a tablespoon of vinegar.

How to avoid problems when washing

The main mistake is the absence of a special bag for washing, due to which not only the product itself, but also the drum of the washing machine deteriorates. To prevent the need to go to a technician and pay a lot of money for a repair, you should always use a laundry bag. Then both the curtains and the washing machine will be intact.

Drying rules for curtains

To properly dry the curtains without leaving creases on the fabric, you need to follow these rules:

1. Hang the damp cloth vertically (for example, on the door)
2. Do not hang curtains in sunlight
3. Iron the fabric from the wrong side if necessary

It is imperative to know how to wash, dry curtains and get rid of stains so that beautiful clean curtains always hang in the room that will not spoil the look of the room with their unkempt.

Video: how to properly wash curtains on eyelets in a washing machine