Curtains are one of the most popular interior items. They not only protect the room from bright sunlight, but also create a unique atmosphere of comfort. The main thing is to constantly keep this accessory clean. Washing curtains in the washing machine can result in fabric damage. Therefore, it is necessary to remember the rules of such a procedure.
Preparatory stage
Before washing curtains in the washing machine, they must be properly prepared. To do this, you must follow the following recommendations:
- First, the curtains must be cleaned of dirt and dust dry. They are vacuumed or shaken out. If the product has eyelets, then it is better not to knock them out, as this can damage the elements.
- Before placing the curtains in the machine, they are soaked in a basin in cold water. Add a small amount of liquid detergent.
- After the curtains are soaked, do not rub them. This can damage the fabric fibers. Because of this, the product will soon lose its appearance. It is also not recommended to squeeze them out. It is best to hang them on a rope in the bathroom and wait for the excess moisture to drain.
Such products accumulate a large amount of dust, which can be hazardous to health. Experts give their recommendations on how often to wash curtains. This should be done at least once every three months.

If a person suffers from diseases of the upper respiratory tract or allergic reactions, then the curtains should be washed once a month.
Basic rules for washing in a washing machine
In order not to damage the product and the washing machine itself during washing, certain precautions must be observed:
- For washing curtains, it is better to use gentle liquid detergents. It is necessary to pour them into the machine in a small amount. It is recommended to additionally use means that protect the heating elements of the equipment from scale.
- It is better to wash curtains separately from other things. If this is not possible, then a color analogy should be observed. Light curtains are strictly forbidden to be washed together with colored items.
- If the product has poorly fixed threads, then they are tedious to cut. Otherwise, they may clog the working parts of the machine.
- Do not overload the drum. It is always indicated in the instructions for the device.
- Curtains with hooks cannot be washed in the washing machine. They can come loose and damage parts of the unit. This will cause serious damage.
- Curtains should be washed at the correct temperature and cycle. Strong heat can damage the fabric, and the product will lose its original appearance.
- If you want to wash your curtains so you don't have to iron them later, you need to use a softening conditioner. Washing is done in cold water. It is necessary to dry the product in a straightened form. At the same time, direct sunlight should not fall on it.It is strictly forbidden to place curtains on a battery or other heating devices.
- It is necessary to iron the curtains at the temperature that corresponds to the material.
By following these recommendations, it will be possible to quickly clean the fabric of dirt without damaging it. The main thing is to choose the right washing mode.
Selecting the washing mode depending on the type of fabric
Washing curtains requires a competent selection of the operating mode of the machine. This must be done taking into account the type of material from which the product is sewn.The following options are possible:
- Organza or silk. Such fabrics require special delicacy. For them, the minimum temperature for heating water is selected. The "delicate wash" mode is set. These products are easily cleaned of dirt, so long-term processing is not required. Before loading such curtains into the drum, they are placed in a linen bag. A cotton pillowcase can act as its role. This will help prevent snags on the fabric. It is strictly forbidden to use machine spinning. It is better to get the curtains from the unit and hang them on the crossbar above the bath so that the water drains. After that, they can be ironed with an iron heated to low temperatures. This should be done through a piece of cloth or gauze.
- Viscose or acrylic. Such curtains can be washed effectively at a temperature of 30 to 40 degrees. The delicate mode is selected. Acrylic under the influence of sunlight can become tougher. To avoid this, add a softening conditioner during washing. Machine spinning is not recommended for such fabrics. It is better to let the water drain on its own. You can lightly wring it out with a clean cotton cloth. It is recommended to iron the curtains through a slightly damp cloth.In this case, the temperature of the iron should not exceed 100 degrees.
- Cotton and linen curtains. For them, the temperature regime is selected at the level of 40 degrees. If the products are painted, then you can increase the temperature to 60 degrees. The fabric is quite dense, so it is not necessary to set the delicate mode. Dry the products at room temperature. The use of heating devices can damage the fibers.
- Polyester. Curtains made of such material can be washed at a temperature of about 40 degrees. This will prevent the formation of hard-to-smooth wrinkles. When ironing, select the "silk" setting on the iron.
- Taffeta. This is a noble dense material. It does not tolerate strong heat. The washing mode is selected with a temperature of 60 degrees.Spinning is carried out on a delicate program.
- Velvet. Such curtains require special washing conditions. Laundry can provide them. If it is not possible to take the curtains to a specialized organization, then before washing they are turned inside out and folded so that they do not turn around. The temperature is set at 30 degrees. Washing time is selected as minimal. If these recommendations are not followed, the fabric will shrink and the curtains will deform. It is best to dry the product in a horizontal position.
Delicate expensive fabrics should not be washed in a washing machine. Even if all the rules are followed, the possibility of damage to the fibers is not excluded. Never wash these items at high temperatures.

If you're not sure you can wash your curtains properly, ask a dry cleaner for help. Experts will quickly and efficiently get rid of all contaminants.
Rules for washing various types of curtains
Each curtain requires a special approach when washing. It is necessary to take into account not only not only the material of the product, but also its type. Today, the following models are popular:
- You can wash curtains with eyelets in a washing machine without the use of stain removers, bleaches and other aggressive detergents. Before this, it is better to remove the eyelets or make sure that they do not oxidize when moisture enters. Select the washing temperature, focusing on the symbols indicated on the product label.
- Thread curtains. Such models are best washed by hand. In extreme cases, they can be placed in a linen bag and only then put into the drum. This is what they do with models made of glass beads. A program is selected that provides heating up to 30 degrees. Products with wooden and metal elements must not be exposed to moisture.
- Tulle. Before washing, it must be soaked in cold water without the addition of detergents. This will help make the fabric white. A small amount of bleach may be used.
- Not everyone can wash blackout curtains. Such opaque curtains are made multi-layered. If they have a metallized or acrylic layer, then it is better to do dry cleaning or hand wash. Before placing the product in the machine, test it for color fastness. To do this, apply a little detergent to an inconspicuous area of \u200b\u200bthe canvas and rub a little. If the color of the product has not changed, you can safely wash it. Use the program with a temperature of 40 degrees. After the machine stops, immediately hang the curtains in their place.
- Roman curtains.Before washing them, it is necessary to pull out all the rails and other parts that cannot be exposed to moisture. These curtains cannot be machine washed. Only hand wash recommended. Shampoo or baby neutral powder is used as a detergent. If there is severe contamination, they are treated with a stain remover. It is necessary to insert the slats back before the fabric is completely dry. Otherwise, it may lose its shape.
- Roller blinds. It is impossible to wash such models, especially in a washing machine. They are cleaned of dust with a vacuum cleaner. In the presence of hard-to-remove stains, they are washed with a sponge dipped in soapy water. You can wash off the remnants of the product with the help of a shower. If during this procedure the canvas is wrinkled, it can be ironed through cotton fabric.
- Japanese curtains. They are long plastic panels. You won't be able to wash them. It remains only to treat the panels with soapy water. Models made of rattan or bamboo are enough to vacuum. Moisture on them leads to delamination of the material. The model will lose its appearance and become unusable. Fabric curtains are also made in the Japanese style. They cannot be washed in the machine, this is done exclusively by hand. In this case, the curtain is soaked in cold water with the addition of liquid detergent. After thorough rinsing, the fabric strips are left to dry.When they are completely dry, they can be mounted in a permanent place.
Washing curtains is a simple process that any housewife can handle. The main thing is to remember a few simple rules that will allow you to preserve the original appearance of the product and the integrity of the washing machine.