Curtains are absolutely important to a home. Not only do they add charm to your home but they also prevent dirt and dust coming from the outside, prevent the wind from blowing too fast, and let the right amount of sunlight to come in. However, since curtains often need less attention, it is very easy to overlook their care totally. There are a lot of home owners who are still not sure how frequently their curtains should be cleaned and what the correct way of cleaning them is.
So how frequently should you clean your curtains?
PROPER CURTAIN CARE MAY PREVENT ALLERGIES
Curtains generally attract dust and absorb odors over time. It is highly recommended to clean your curtains every 3 to 6 months. Having your curtains cleaned regularly is a good idea to keep your house clean and fresh.
MACHINE WASHING
If your curtains are completely machine washable (check the label instructions), you can carefully do the cleaning yourself. Choose a nice warm sunny day to let them dry outdoors after they’ve been through a gentle machine washing cycle. Make sure to iron your curtains while they are still a little damp, then hang them up right away to prevent wrinkling. Remember that curtains contain a lot of fabric, which typically makes them unmanageable in a small/constrained home environment. If you’re worried about your washing machine not being large enough, your ironing board being too small or simply have no place to dry your curtains, you may be better off getting professional help.
The same applies to stained curtains. Leave it to an experienced curtain cleaning company to take out stains without the risk of damaging your curtain fabrics.
DRY CLEANING CURTAINS
Curtains that are made of linen, silk or other delicate fabrics will need to be professionally dry cleaned. The reason for this is that the warm water, laundry detergent and constant rubbing action in the washing machine can quickly cause damage like fading or shrinking. Curtains can be a costly investment for your home, so it is essential to look after them in order to give you and your family years of pleasure.
WHEN WILL A CURTAIN REQUIRE MORE FREQUENT CLEANING?
While cleaning your curtains every 3 to 6 months should be necessary for most household requirements, we would suggest more frequent cleaning if the following factors play a role in your house:
Allergies
Curtains can trap a number of common allergens including dust, pet hair, mold spores, pollen and dander. If you or a member of the family suffers from allergies, regular curtain and carpet cleaning should be an important part of your household routine.
Smoking
Smoke particles from cigars, cigarettes and pipes are easily trapped in curtains fabric. If you don’t want to make your curtains yellow or have a strong smell of smoke in your home, ensure that you let plenty of fresh air in and clean your curtains on a monthly basis if possible.
You live near the sea
If you live near the sea and especially if you have sea views, salt is not your best friend. Salty sea air can impact curtains and window panes. Hard-wearing curtain fabrics are your best option under these circumstances, and regular cleaning is a must.
