How to wash curtains? We advise how to wash curtains so that they are white and do not wrinkle!

Whether jacquard, tulle, lace or polyester curtains, washing them properly has a huge impact on their beautiful appearance. With the wrong approach, they can quickly turn gray or turn yellow, require tedious ironing.

We advise how to wash curtains in a washing machine so that they do not wrinkle and retain their snow-white color.

How to wash curtains? In the washing machine or by hand?

The choice between hand wash and automatic wash depends on the manufacturer's instructions. Therefore, it is extremely important to always check the label attached to the material. However, many people cut them off, in the case of curtains, primarily for aesthetic reasons. What to do in this case? It is best to choose hand washing, which will be the safest solution. And if you know for sure that they can be washed in a washing machine, but you can’t remember how many degrees, choose a “delicate” program. More details on how to wash curtains in a washing machine will be described later in the text.

The vast majority of modern washing machines are equipped with a hand wash mode. Because of this, whether you find it on the label or a "permission" to use the machine, you will most likely be able to use the washing machine.

How to wash curtains in a washing machine? Temperature selection

Even if your machine is equipped with a "hand wash" or "curtains" mode, it's always worth making sure that its settings are suitable for washing curtains. First, pay attention to the temperature; too high may cause the fabric to shrink and lose its beautiful white color. Ideally, it should not exceed 30 degrees; this is the safest setting when the tag is cut off and the manufacturer's data is unknown.

How to wash curtains so that they do not wrinkle? Spinning

The high spin speed ensures very good drainage of water from the fabric. After 1600 rpm, some materials are almost dry and ready to be stored on the shelf. However, such a high speed means, of course, more intensive work of the drum; with it, the laundry spins faster. This, in turn, affects their crease. So if you are wondering how to wash curtains so that they do not wrinkle, choose a spin below 1000 rpm. From 400 rpm they will lead to the complete wetting of the tissue and the need for its slow drainage. However, at 800 you can expect lower levels of humidity and certainly fewer wrinkles than at 1200, 1600 or 2000. However, if you have time to let the curtains drain slowly, wash them at 400 rpm. and leave in the drum until most of the water has drained. Then set the washing machine to a program that will pump water out of the drum.

How to wash curtains so that they are white? Detergent selection

The second point about how to wash curtains is, of course, choosing the right detergent. Although the material should not pose a risk when using a standard washing powder or capsule for washing white fabrics, it is worth betting on more delicate, “specialized” measures. So these are special powders for washing curtains, a liquid for bleaching or softening them. Suitable products are offered, for example, by the Vanish brand.

Also pay attention to the "grandmother's" home way to wash the curtains so that they are white: using baking soda. Before starting the washing process, you can soak the fabric in warm water (max. 30 degrees C) with salt in the washing machine. It will act as a natural bleach; it is enough to use a ratio of 2 tablespoons of salt to 1 liter of water. Leave the curtains in the mixture prepared in this way for about 10 minutes, then wash.

The second recommended soak mix is ​​a combination of water and laundry detergent. This is expected to extract even long-term yellow and gray spots. It will also work well when you need to remove nicotine stains from the material. All you have to do is mix 1 packet of baking powder and a small amount of laundry detergent with 5 liters of water.

You can also skip the soaking and add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to your laundry and mix it with your laundry detergent.

How to wash curtains so that they do not wrinkle? Drying Matters

We mentioned that the number of folds has a very strong effect on the number of spins. However, the drying method is equally important - especially in the case of long curtains. If you want to hang them on the dryer so they don't scratch the floor, you'll have to fold them; often in several parts. And it can, of course, create creases.

In the case of curtains made of synthetic materials, you can completely abandon the use of a dryer. It is enough to hang the curtain directly on the eaves. This will bring a double benefit; the wet cloth will straighten out due to its downward weight, and the wonderful fragrance of the linen will spread throughout the room. Man-made fibers used in curtains, including polyester, nylon, jacquard (polyester or cotton blend), voile (man-made fiber and cotton blend), and tergal.

Natural materials are more troublesome in this regard: mainly silk and cotton. They are most often used in the production of curtains from organza and tulle. When dried on the eaves, especially at high humidity (low spin), they can stretch under the weight of the water. So let's tumble dry them, but try to keep folding to a minimum.

So there are quite a few ways to wash white curtains in a washing machine. We recommend that you test several solutions, including homemade ones. Check out what suits your curtains!