Quick answer
Dust curtains monthly and clean them every six to twelve months, sooner in dusty or humid homes. Plain cotton and polyester curtains can often be machine washed on a gentle cold cycle; silk, velvet, lined, embellished and heavily pleated curtains should be dry cleaned. Always check the label first.
Key takeaways
- Vacuum or shake curtains monthly to keep dust from settling in the fabric.
- Wash plain cotton and polyester gently in cold water; never wring.
- Dry clean silk, velvet, lined and embellished curtains.
- Rehang while slightly damp so the weight pulls out creases.
How often should curtains be cleaned?
Every six to twelve months suits most homes. Clean sooner if they hang near a kitchen, balcony or busy road, or if anyone in the house has allergies. Dust curtains monthly with a vacuum brush.
Which curtains can you wash at home?
Plain cotton and polyester curtains with no lining and no embellishment can usually be machine washed on a gentle cold cycle, one panel at a time, with a mild detergent. Remove hooks and rings first.
Which curtains need dry cleaning?
- Silk and velvet
- Lined or interlined curtains
- Curtains with beading, embroidery or metallic thread
- Heavy, heavily pleated or very large panels
See our curtain, blanket and quilt cleaning.
Drying and rehanging
Avoid wringing and hot dryers. Hang curtains slightly damp so their weight pulls out creases, or steam them lightly once up. Cotton can shrink a little if dried hot.
Dust and daily care
Curtains act as filters. They catch dust, smoke and cooking vapours, especially near kitchens and balconies. Vacuum them monthly with a soft brush attachment, or give them a gentle shake outdoors, and open windows to air them. This keeps cleaning cycles longer apart.
Sheers, voile and lace
Light fabrics gather dust and stains easily and are delicate when wet. Wash them in a mesh bag on a gentle cold cycle or by hand, and do not wring. Hang them straight away while damp. Embroidered or beaded sheers are best dry cleaned.
Blackout and thermal curtains
Backed and thermal curtains often have a coating that does not like washing or heat. Check the label; many should be spot cleaned or dry cleaned. A coating that cracks cannot be repaired.
Choosing between washing and professional cleaning
Ask three questions. Does the label say wash or dry clean? Is the curtain lined, backed, beaded or embroidered? Is it large or heavy enough to be hard to handle wet? If the answer to the first is dry clean, or to the other two is yes, choose a professional. If you do wash at home, do one panel at a time, use a gentle cycle and do not leave wet curtains bunched up, which causes creases and mildew.
Professional cleaning also lets you clean everything at once, so all your curtains age evenly and none look dingy beside a freshly cleaned pair.
Plan it before Diwali
Many families clean curtains before Diwali. Our Diwali home fabric checklist shows the order to do it in, and we collect from your door.
