Curtains are an elegant addition to homes but are often neglected. They look so lovely when you first put them up but you really don't realize how much dust and dirt they collect until, years later, you whisk them open to let the sun in and a cloud of dust circles the air. Now you are faced with two decisions: wash or replace. These days, draperies are inexpensive, and people change home decor themes often. When the curtains begin to look dingy, they simply buy new ones – usually as an excuse to redecorate. While we’d never discourage redecorating, there are plenty of reasons to clean your curtains more often than you do now. Curtains are usually filthy, and with good reason. They are the barrier between outside and inside. When you take all of this into consideration, you can see why it’s so important to clean your curtains on a regular basis! No matter how dirty and dusty your curtains get, it would be way too much work to wash them or have them cleaned every week.

It would also ruin your drapes. You can, however, get a lot of the dirt and dust off the surface of your curtains by dusting or vacuuming them every week as part of your general household cleaning. You can use a feather duster, static duster, dusting cloths, a damp cloth, or a dusting attachment that fits onto your vacuum cleaner. Whichever method you choose, there are a few tips to remember: Handheld steam cleaners are now widely available and inexpensive enough to be purchased for home use.tombolo curtains But before using a steam cleaner on your curtains, check the manufacturer’s label to be sure steam cleaning is acceptable.the tortilla curtain attitude to work You should avoid dusting and cleaning the house right after steam cleaning your curtains.  sanderson dandelion clocks curtains orange

Professional carpet cleaners will usually offer drapery cleaning as well. Machine washable curtains are the easiest and least expensive to clean. There are some tricks to getting the best results. Caution is warranted because the sun does strange things to fabrics, and the fibers become weakened. Always dry your curtains on a gentle cycle (tumble dry is best) with low or no heat. It might take longer, but it will definitely make your curtains last longer.grommet setter for curtains Drying your curtains with a hot cycle can set wrinkles, fade colors, and shrink the material. Even if you plan on hanging your curtains on a clothesline to dry, you should put them in the dryer for at least 15 – 20 minutes. It will help avoid wrinkles and ironing! Don’t hang wet curtains back on their rods to dry. They can drip onto your carpet or flooring, and the gathers and folds will take too long to dry, possibly causing mildew.

On the other hand, don’t dry your curtains all the way in the dryer, either. You should machine dry them until they are still just slightly damp, then hang and arrange them back on the rods. The weight will help them hang better than if they were dried completely. While you have damp curtains hanging, don’t open any windows, vacuum, dust, or otherwise clean the room. Your curtains will attract all the dirt and dust, and dirt on damp fabrics is likely to stain. Your work will be wasted! Curtain fabrics have been put through a lot of abuse. Washing them abuses them more, and it can actually shorten the life of your drapes. The longer you can go before washing your curtains for the first time, the better. If your curtains are in direct sunlight, exposed to cold or heat can cause the fabric to fade. Your curtains are likely to be faded on the side that faces the window. Be sure to hang them back in the same way so the faded side faces out. For a general “freshening” of your curtains, you can put them into your dryer on low or tumble dry after spraying a little Febreeze on them.

Avoid using fabric softener sheets as they can sometimes stain fabrics, leaving a grease mark or sheen spot. If your curtain labels say, “Dry Clean Only,” it’s important to follow the directions. Keep in mind, though, that all dry cleaners are not the same. Your neighborhood dry cleaner might not be knowledgeable about different fabrics. They might send their cleaning out to other facilities that may or may not correctly clean your draperies. It’s important to do a little research before you take your curtains to an establishment. Ask friends and family for references, and talk to the manager at the local dry cleaners. Unless your curtains are very inexpensive and easily replaceable, you should be careful about where you take them to be cleaned. Our lesson is over. Have fun and good luck. Image courtesy of OiMax, CC BY. New (23) from $6.70 Selection for all your crafting needs, from jewelery making products and art supplies to gift wrapping and more.

Aleene's 29134 Fabric Fusion TapeDetailsDritz 222 5/8-Inch by 20-Yard Stitch Witchery, Regular FREE Shipping on orders over . DetailsScotch Essentials Adjustable Hem Tape, 24 Strips (W-106-A) Add-on ItemFREE Shipping on orders over . 5/8" x 20'Fabric Adhesive TapeStandard Packaging Makes a needle and thread a thing of the past. This fantastic addition to the Aleene's Fabric Fusion family offers a permanent bond with no sewing and NO IRONING. Now you can hem curtains, pants and other outfits with ease and best of allit's washable. 5.4 x 3.8 x 0.8 inches 2.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Item can be shipped within U.S. This item is not eligible for international shipping. 10 years and up #789 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #3 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing > Craft Supplies > Craft Supplies > Adhesives > Fabric Adhesives #5 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing > Sewing > Sewing Notions & Supplies > Tapes & Adhesives 3.9 out of 5 stars