How to Clean & Maintain Your Curtains
You may not be the neatest person—tolerating clutter at least until you have the energy to do some deep cleaning or when you start feeling suffocated by all the mess in the room. But, at the start of the pandemic, when we have been stuck for the longest time at home, things have probably shifted and suddenly, you’ve been busy sprucing up your space.
What used to be a human being that couldn’t care less about home improvement have adopted the concept of tidying up as a form of self-care. If that’s you, then we’re betting that your online shopping carts are full of fancy items to upgrade the look of your home—curtains included.
Along with the newfound interest in home section items is the obsession about maintaining a clean home. In this article, we’re sharing some tips on how to clean and maintain your curtains.
The Health Risks of Dirty Curtains
You can vacuum your couch, wash the rugs, and dust every surface in your home. But, some allergens and irritants can continue to thrive when there’s an area you forget to clean: your windows.
Much like anything in your home, window treatments—particularly fabrics—accumulate dust, dander, grime, mould and mildew, and even odour. It may not be apparent at first, but these particles could make your curtains look dull and dingy over time and this could reflect in the rest of your home. Dirty curtains are also associated with various health risks including:
- Allergic Reactions
Curtains serve as your home’s frontline barrier to wind, heat, and moisture. As such, they tend to get dirty fast and trigger allergic reactions such as coughing, sneezing, or itching. It’s not rocket science but the best curtain cleaning companies in Singapore reiterate the importance of regular curtain cleaning.
- Respiratory Problems
The dust, grime, and bacteria in dirty curtains can also cause respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis. This is worse in thicker curtains such as blackout curtains as they absorb more allergens into their fabrics.
- Stress
Clutter triggers feelings of stress, anxiousness, and depression. Several studies have found time and time again that the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, were higher in individuals living in a cluttered environment. Unfortunately, dirty curtains can only make your home look and feel dirty.
Imagine if you’re breathing in dirty air every day and don’t even know it. You wouldn’t probably notice the effects at first, but dirty curtains can eventually lead to various health issues and the above points are merely an overview. It goes to show how important curtain cleaning is to ensure a clean and healthy air at home.
How Often Should You Clean Your Curtains?
Cleaning your curtains every 3-6 months is a good start. However, if you have kids and pets at home, a family member suffers from allergies, or the curtains are hanging in a bedroom, you may have to increase the frequency to keep allergens away and your home healthy. The good news? Cleaning your curtains doesn’t have to be boring or hard.
- Dust
Before washing your curtains, give them a good shake to dislodge any buildup dirt. Vacuuming them is also a great idea—just make sure to read the manufacturer’s label on your vacuum cleaner to know which attachment is appropriate for your curtains.
- Wash
Cutains are made of a variety of fabrics, each with different care requirements. In general, natural fabrics like cotton and linen are machine washable, with the exception of lined curtains, ring curtains, or those with complex pleating. Sheer, silk, laced, or otherwise ornate curtains are better washed by hand as they can be very delicate.
- Dry Clean
Dry cleaning may also be recommended for curtains that may not withstand a regular washing. Blackout curtains, for example, usually have a label that reads dry clean only. While it errs to the side of caution, doing anything other than that is at your own risk. Some fabrics may fade, bleed, shrink, or pill when washed in the regular machine.
Curtains made of heavy fabrics can also benefit from dry cleaning to avoid a lengthy drying time. The process also works best with curtains made from velvet, chenille, tapestry, wool, or silk, and as said above, lined curtains.
How to Maintain Your Curtains
Your curtains play an essential role in upgrading the overall look of your home. Maintaining them is something you should prioritise if you want a healthy indoor environment for your family. As we conclude, keep the following tips in handy to make sure your curtains look and stay dust-free for as long as possible.
Vacuum. At a minimum, vacuum your curtains at least every week. Use a soft brush attachment to get the dust off your curtains.
Spot Treat. For stains, blot the stained area with some diluted white vinegar or a solution of baking soda, lemon juice, and water. Let it sit for at least an hour before rinsing.
Let it air dry. Open your windows every once in a while to increase ventilation in your home. It should also prevent mould and mildew growth, and remove potential musty smells.
Clean the windows. Curtains get dirty easily when the windows are dirty. It explains why clean curtains should go hand in hand with clean windows to keep dirt and grime from transferring to your curtains.
Disinfect. Spray your curtains with a disinifecting solution to keep them clean and fresh in between washings. It’s a great way to maintain your curtains without taking them down and popping them in the washing machine.
Steam. Not only does steaming remove stubborn wrinkles and creases on your curtains. It also keeps them fresh and clean.
You don’t always have to undergo the hassle of cleaning your curtains yourself. Getting them professionally cleaned is the best way to keep them in their best possible condition. For professional curtain laundry and dry cleaning services, get in touch with Clean Care today. They have a team of experts that safely and carefully clean your curtains using advanced technology and professional-grade cleaning solutions.
