Blackout curtains do exactly what it says on the tin, and are one of the best ways to promote good quality sleep. However, what do we do when it comes to cleaning them?
You can wash blackout curtains, but how you choose to clean them should depend on what kind of dirt they have accumulated.
The last thing you want is to damage your curtains, and ruin a good night’s sleep. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure super clean curtains, whilst maintaining 100% blackout.
Whether it’s a small stain you’re wanting to clean, or you’d like to deep clean the whole set of curtains, always start by removing the curtains from the rail!
How to Clean Blackout Curtains
Removing pet hair
This is an easy one. If you find the base of your curtains get covered in pet hair, use a lint roller to remove the hair. That way, you don’t have to wash the entire set of curtains so it’s nice and quick!
Removing dirt and dust
Most of the time, you’ll find your curtains are clean and don’t need washing. But, annoyingly, dust and a small amount of dirt can accumulate pretty quickly and regularly.
Not to worry—all you need to do is lightly hoover your curtains. In order to prevent any damage, specifically tears, choose a hand held hoover with a brush attachment on a light suction setting!
Spot cleaning
If there are just one or two spots on your set of curtains that require cleaning, it’s hardly worth the effort it takes to clean the whole set. In this instance, it’s best to spot clean using a laundry detergent.
The main thing here is to choose a detergent that doesn’t have any harmful additives, such as bleach, or one that has any dyes.
Simply lay your curtain out on a clean hard floor or table. Then dip a clean sponge into a bucket of warm soapy water, ring it out, and gently rub any stains or dirty patches in a circular motion until the mark has lifted.
Rinse the spots you’ve cleaned by going over them using another sponge dipped in cold water (ring it out first).
Steam cleaning
Steam cleaning is an easy and reasonably speedy way to clean your curtains. Make sure to use warm water in your steam cleaner and, to avoid any potential damage, steer clear from soaking your curtains whilst cleaning them.
How to Wash Blackout Curtains
Hand washing
Unless the care label says otherwise, hand washing is generally the most reliable option when it comes to cleaning curtains.
Just like spot cleaning, use a detergent that is free from any harsh chemicals. Also, it’s important to remember to NOT use any fabric softener (this could damage the lining)!
The easiest way to hand wash, is to follow the method below:
- Fill your bath (use a sink if you don’t have a bath) with warm water and chuck in your laundry detergent. Use the same amount of laundry detergent that you’d use in a normal wash. This depends on which detergent you use, but the information will be available in the instructions on the side of the box).
- Swill the water around and put your curtains in the bath, allowing them to completely submerge.
- Gently (I repeat gently!) scrub the curtains with your hands, or a small soft sponge. Try to move in sections, i.e., from left to right and from top to bottom, to ensure a thorough job! You can work through the sections pretty quickly, so don’t worry about scrubbing for ages.
- After you’ve finished washing, drain the bathtub, rinse the curtains with cold water to get rid of the soap, and ring them out so they’re no longer holding any water.
Machine washing
Always remember to check the care label before choosing to machine wash, as some curtains might be hand wash only. Generally, machine washing curtains requires a cold setting and a detergent containing no harmful chemicals.
Drying Blackout Curtains After Washing Them
Ring out your curtains (if necessary) to make sure they aren’t holding onto any water. After that, hang your curtains back onto their rail and spread them out (aka close them).
Put a few towels or a bucket underneath where you hang them to collect any excess water. If you have a shower rail or a washing line, these are also good options.
It’s worth spot cleaning your curtains around once or twice per month, and cleaning the whole set two to three times per year. Now you hopefully know what you’re doing – enjoy!
Hi, I’m Bron. I’m an elite endurance athlete, love the outdoors and anything involving food! All of which have the potential to make a mess! I don’t have a huge concentration span (and like to use the excuse of being too busy), so go for quick and easy cleaning methods where possible!
