Best Ways to Clean Curtains at Home

  • Riya Yadav
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Best Ways to Clean Curtains at Home (Easy, Safe & Effective Methods)
Best Ways to Clean Curtains at Home (Easy, Safe & Effective Methods)

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Curtains silently collect dust, pollution, cooking fumes, moisture, and allergens, especially in Indian homes where windows stay open for ventilation. Over time, dirty curtains not only look dull but also affect indoor air quality.

The good news? Some curtains can be cleaned safely at home, while others require professional care. Knowing the difference is crucial because one wrong wash can permanently ruin fabric, lining, or colour.

This guide explains the best ways to clean curtains at home, covering quick DIY methods that actually work, Fabric-wise cleaning rules, Machine wash vs hand wash vs steam cleaning, Common mistakes to avoid, When DIY becomes risky, and much more.

Best Ways to Clean Curtains at Home

The best ways to clean curtains at home depend on the fabric type and dirt level. For most Indian households, these methods are safest and most effective:

  • Vacuum curtains weekly to remove dust and allergens
  • Hand wash cotton and polyester curtains using cold water
  • Machine wash curtains only if the care label allows
  • Steam clean curtains to remove odour and germs
  • Dry clean silk, velvet, linen and blackout curtains

Avoid hot water, harsh detergents, and aggressive scrubbing, these cause shrinkage, color bleeding, and lining damage.

How Often Should Curtains Be Cleaned in India?

Curtain cleaning frequency depends on environment and usage:

  • Every 3–4 months in high-dust or roadside homes

  • Every 6 months in low-dust interiors

  • Immediately if exposed to smoke, moisture, or cooking fumes

Curtains near kitchens, balconies, or main roads require more frequent cleaning.

Things to Check Before Cleaning Curtains

Before starting any cleaning method, always:

  1. Check the fabric type

  2. Look for lining or blackout backing

  3. Test colorfastness on a hidden corner

  4. Read the care label (if available)

Ignoring these steps can cause permanent shrinkage, stiffness, or fading.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have much time to invest in curtain cleaning, then you can seek professional help like Tumbledry Curtain Cleaning Service for spotless cleaning with free curtain installation. 

Things to Check Before Cleaning Curtains

1. Vacuum Cleaning Curtains (Safest Method)

One of the best and safest methods for domestic curtain cleaning is to clean them with a vacuum cleaner, especially for routine maintenance. This is because a vacuum cleaner is very effective for removing dust, pollen, and allergens on the surface of the curtain while being gentle on the material. To clean your curtain using this equipment, you can use a gentle brush attachment to gently clean your curtain from top to bottom while taking particular caution around areas where curtain pleats and folds tend to collect much dust. This process works for all types of curtain materials, including silk and velvet.

Best for:

All curtain types, especially delicate fabrics

Steps:

  1. Use a soft brush attachment
  2. Vacuum from top to bottom
  3. Focus on pleats and folds
  4. Repeat every 2–3 weeks
  5. Removes dust & allergens
  6. Does not remove stains or deep odours

2. Hand Washing Curtains at Home

Washing by hand is one of the best DIY techniques to maintain the cleanliness of the curtain when working with cotton or polyester. This procedure enables controlled cleaning without the need for harsh agitation. When washing the curtain by hand, it is vital that the fabric be submerged in cold water and a liquid detergent. Swirling the fabric is sufficient without the need for scrubbing or turning. The curtain must be drip-dried without wringing after the entire process of rinsing. When the curtain accumulates dust, sweat, and dirt, hand-washing can be an ideal DIY technique.

 

Best for:
 Cotton, polyester, lightweight blended curtains

Step-by-step process:

  1. Remove hooks and rings

  2. Fill a bucket with cold water

  3. Add mild liquid detergent

  4. Gently swirl curtains, do not scrub

  5. Rinse thoroughly

  6. Do not wring

  7. Hang damp for drip drying

⚠️ Twisting or scrubbing damages fibers.

3. Machine Washing Curtains

Even if it is machine washable, it is often advisable to hand wash curtains for some fabrics such as cotton and polyester when the fabric is known to be machine washable. In addition, it is advised that the curtains should always be washed separately and in cool water. Many fabric types can also withstand low-speed spinning in machines. Hooks and accessories should also be removed from the curtains prior to washing when machine washing the curtains. These are some of the fabrics that should always avoid machine washing:

Silk, velvet, and linen. Additionally, blackout and embroidered curtains.

 

Safe only for:
 Cotton and polyester curtains with machine-wash labels

Correct settings:

  • Gentle cycle

  • Cold water

  • Mild detergent

  • Low spin

❌ Never machine wash silk, velvet, linen, or blackout curtains.

In case you don’t have time to wash curtain, Try Tumbledry today!

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4. Steam Cleaning Curtains

Steam cleaning is also another great method of refreshing curtains without cleaning them, which can be applicable to heavily soiled or fixed curtains. Steam cleaning of curtains assists in the removal of odors, bacterial contaminants, and airborne allergens while leaving the curtains smelling fresh. To clean curtains by means of a portable steamer, the curtains should be steamed from the top to bottom when they are hanging, and this process will effectively prevent the formation of water spots. Steam cleaning of curtains does not effectively remove stains or grease, and its efficiency in refreshing the curtains depends on the degree to which they are soiled by smoking, moisture, or cooking odors.

Best for:

  • Odour removal

  • Germ reduction

  • Heavy curtains that cannot be washed

How to steam clean:

  • Keep curtains hanging

  • Steam from top to bottom

  • Maintain distance to avoid wet patches

⚠️ Steam refreshes curtains but does not remove stains

Curtain Cleaning by Fabric Type

Cotton Curtains

  • Safe for hand wash or machine wash

  • Always use cold water

  • Air dry in shade

⚠️ Hot water causes shrinkage.

Polyester Curtains

  • Machine washable on gentle cycle

  • Avoid fabric softener (causes residue)

Linen Curtains

  • High shrinkage risk
  • Vacuum or professional cleaning from brands like Tumbledry recommended

Silk Curtains

❌ Never wash at home

Risks:

  • Water rings

     

  • Colour bleeding

     

  • Loss of sheen

     

Professional dry cleaning is the only safe option.

The next thing you need to know is how to remove ink stains from clothes using these stain removers.

Velvet Curtains

❌ Do not wash or soak

  • Water ruins texture and shine
  • Dry cleaning is mandatory.

Blackout & Thermal Curtains

  • Multi-layered with foam backing

  • Washing causes peeling and stiffness

❌ Home washing is not recommended.

Pro tip: Always seek professional dry cleaner for silk and blackout curtains.

How to Remove Odour from Curtains at Home

For mild odours:

  • Sprinkle baking soda

  • Leave for 30 minutes

  • Vacuum thoroughly

For smoke or moisture smells:

  • Steam cleaning helps temporarily

Persistent odours indicate deep contamination.

Common Curtain Cleaning Mistakes Indians Make

  • Washing all curtains together

  • Using hot water

  • Drying in direct sunlight

  • Ironing on high heat

  • Skipping dust removal before washing

These mistakes drastically shorten curtain lifespan.

When You Should NOT Clean Curtains at Home

Avoid DIY cleaning if:

  • Curtains are silk, velvet, linen

  • Curtains have heavy embroidery

  • Colour bleeding risk exists

  • Curtains are expensive or customised

DIY works for basic curtains but premium curtains need expert handling to preserve shape and colour.

Professional Curtain Cleaning vs Home Cleaning

Aspect

Home Cleaning

Professional Cleaning

Fabric safety

Limited

Fabric-specific

Shrinkage risk

High

Controlled

Odour removal

Temporary

Deep

Curtain lifespan

Reduced

Preserved

If you don’t want to risk shrinkage, fading or lining damage, professional curtain cleaning is safer.

Conclusion

Cleaning of curtains is very essential in order to keep your home dust-free and hygienic. The best methods to clean curtains at home are based on the fabric, lining, and soil level. While using the vacuum cleaner, handwashing, and steaming work wonders for cotton and polyester curtains, silk, velvet, linen, and blackout curtains should never be washed at home. Using an appropriate method can also ensure that shrinkage and colour damage are prevented whilst dirt and odours are eliminated. Whenever you doubt it, professional curtain cleaning will definitely mean deep cleaning and quality preservation of fabrics, maintaining curtains’ lifespan.

Get 20% off on first order with Tumbledry

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Frequently asked questions on washing curtains

 Vacuuming regularly and hand washing cotton or polyester curtains in cold water.

 Only curtains with machine-wash labels should be washed on a gentle cycle.

 Every 3–6 months depending on dust and pollution levels.

 Silk, velvet, linen, blackout, and embroidered curtains.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not necessarily purport to reflect the values or views of Tumbledry.

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