How Often Should You Clean Your Curtains

Curtains are the decor of windows, doors and shutters of every house and they need special cleaning, care and treatment. They play a crucial role in the decoration of the house. Cleaning your curtains regularly is important to prolong their lifespan. Curtains attract a lot of dust and dirt as they are exposed to the outer environment which is why they need regular cleaning and washing. Continue reading to know in detail about how often you should clean your curtains.

Ideal Frequency For Cleaning The Curtains

According to experts, ideally, the curtains should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months to maintain their beauty and prolong lifespan. This will also help in maintaining the quality of the air and preventing accumulation of dust particles. Here are different areas and timeframes for washing or cleaning the curtains:

• Hypoallergenic family: If your family is hypoallergenic, you have to clean the curtains every 3 to 6 months.


• Living in a dusty area: If you are living in an area where dust can commonly accumulate on the curtains, you have to wash and clean them every 6 to 12 months.


• Living near the sea: In case your house is near the sea you can wash the curtains every 6 to 12 months.


• General living conditions: In case you live in general conditions, the period of cleaning the curtains is 2 to 3 years.


• Bathroom curtains: Bathroom curtains might require special attention as they are prone to mould and mildew so they need to be cleaned regularly.


• Smokers: In case there are any smokers in your family, you need to clean the curtains every couple of months as the curtain fabrics can absorb the bad odour and the smoke can also discolour the curtains.

Importance Of Cleaning The Curtains

• Comfort and happiness: Clean curtains can provide great comfort for you and your family. Regular cleaning of curtains can make a huge difference in your comfort and happiness in a busy lifestyle. Dirty environments and curtains can lead to stress and discomfort and regular cleaning can provide a fresh and livable space.


• Removing various harmful components: Curtains are exposed to the outer environment so they can easily attract a lot of harmful components such as dust mites, pet dander and pollens. These can eventually cause a lot of health issues. Regular curtain cleaning helps in removing the building up of these kinds of harmful components and maintaining a healthy atmosphere.


• Preventing the growth of mould and mildew: Generally bathroom curtains tend to accumulate mould and mildew over time and these can grow easily in large numbers. Moulds can potentially cause a lot of health problems. Some of the common health issues mould and mildew can cause include respiratory diseases such as asthma and other bronchial issues. Experts can help in removing mould and mildew using the right techniques and will also make sure that they prevent their future growth.


• Preserving material and colour of curtains: Curtains come in a lot of different colours and the accumulation of dirt and dust will lead to loss of their colour and texture over time. Dust and stains can cause wear and tear as they weaken the fabric. Regular cleaning helps in getting rid of these stains and dust making sure it preserves the integrity and colours of the fabric.


• Protecting your investment in curtains: We spend a lot of money on buying curtains and expect them to last longer. Regular cleaning alongside timely professional care and maintenance helps in prolonging the health of curtains. This will help in saving a lot of money as you don’t have to buy new curtains. Regular dusting and vacuuming also help in minimising the frequency of professional cleaning.

Signs That Your Curtains Need Cleaning

Australia (Metre):

• Stains and spots: Curtains are exposed to the environment and are prone to several types of stains including pet stains, dirty hands and other spills. These stains can easily be visible to your eyes. Whenever you notice any such signs, make sure to get your curtains cleaned.


• Visible dust build-up: Curtains can accumulate a lot of dust basically when they are present in high-traffic areas. So if you are noticing such visible dust buildup on your curtains, make sure to get your curtains cleaned whenever you notice it.


• Odour and stale smell: Often due to dust accumulation, the smell of pets, mould growth, and smoke, curtains can absorb and retain odours from their surroundings. So if you notice an unpleasant smell from the curtain, then curtains may need a thorough cleaning to freshen them up. Fresh-smelling curtains can make your home more pleasant and inviting.


• Fading and discolouration: Often due to prolonged exposure to the sun on sunny days, curtains fade and it is usually noticeable on curtains that hang in sunlight for a long period. Look for signs of fading, such as uneven colour and dull appearance of the curtain as compared to the original colour. That’s why to regain the appearance of discoloured or faded curtains, proper cleaning of curtains and maintenance are essential. For reviving the colour of curtains, washing curtains with gentle detergents and professional cleaning is recommended.


• Allergy symptoms: Curtains in humid conditions are prone to mould and fungal growth. This is particularly common in curtains of bathrooms, kitchens and homes in humid and damp climates. Mould and mildew not only damage the fabric of curtains but also cause health risks, such as respiratory issues and allergies due to inhalation of spores of fungus. That’s why in humid climates or the rainy season, we often check for mould and mildew growth by watching the curtain folds for black or green spots.

Types Of Curtain Cleaning Methods

• Machine washing: Machine washing is suitable for most modern fabrics, such as cotton, linens and woven textiles. When large volumes of fabric are there, then it is better to use machines for washing curtains.


• Steam cleaning: Curtains that are made up of very heavy material and which are difficult to take down require steam cleaning in the home and business. A specialist knows how far to keep the steamer away from the curtain to prevent it from becoming too wet. Specialists of steam cleaning wear protective clothing, appropriate during cleaning the curtain.


• Dry cleaning: Dry cleaning is a special technique usually done by curtain cleaning experts. It involves dry cleaning with chemicals like perchloroethylene for stain removal. Wrinkles and creases are steamed out and the curtain is re-hung in its original condition.


• Hand washing: Washing your curtains by hand is a lengthy and labour-intensive process. It’s usually important only for delicate fabrics. You can check the manufacturer’s washing instructions on the label which helps you to determine whether your curtains require special care. If washing by hand is recommended, select a gentle washing detergent without a bleaching agent.


• Hot Water Extraction: Hot water extraction is used on curtains that are not harmed by large amounts of water. This is an effective method for dirt and dust removal from curtains and this method is gentle on fabric. In this method, a combination of a special solution and hot water is used which cleans stubborn stains. This method requires some time to dry fully.

Tips For Extending The Cleaning Duration Of Curtains

• Read the manufacturer’s instructions: The curtains are made up of various fabrics. Each fabric is different and needs different types of washing. That’s why you read the labels that come with the curtains to know how to clean the curtain and extend the curtains life.


• Use spot cleaning to remove stains: It is usually not possible to wash the whole curtain for a small soiled area so you can clean the spot by using a mild detergent or stain remover and clean the area.


• Use a gentle laundry detergent: Always use a mild detergent that is strong enough on the stains but protects the fabric from damage.


• Bleach for whites and dyes for colours: You can use bleach to whiten and brighten your whites, effectively removing stains and disinfecting the fabric. For coloured curtains, it's best to use dyes or colour-safe bleach to maintain the vibrancy and prevent fading.


• Iron and hang dry: After washing, you can iron your clothes to remove wrinkles and give them a crisp, polished look. For delicate fabrics, it's often best to hang them to dry, as this method helps maintain their shape and prevents damage that can be caused by the heat of a dryer. Always check the care label for specific ironing and drying instructions to keep your clothes in the best condition.

Conclusion

Curtains are undoubtedly one of the most expensive investments in our house and it is important to take care of them and clean them regularly. There are several types of cleaning services for different types of curtains such as steam and dry cleaning. Depending on the type of curtains the duration of cleaning them also changes. Generally, the cleaning duration of curtains is 6 to 12 months. Regular cleaning will help in many ways from saving money to preventing health issues. You can hire professionals and also clean the curtains frequently at your house using homemade remedies. Enjoy your curtain cleaning.