If you want your home to look nice but don’t have much experience cleaning windows, you may think that washing blackout curtains aren’t something you can do yourself. After all, they are designed to block light from entering the window. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t clean them. All you need to do is learn how to wash blackout curtains.
First, you need to remove any dust that may be stuck to them before washing them. If you leave it there, it can mold on the inside of the curtains. It won’t look good at all. Simply shake slightly. Then pull up the top of the curtain and wipe away the dust using a lint roller.
Next, you will need to wash the screens themselves. To begin with, you need to take some soap and water with a cloth and give the curtains a good scrub. Be sure to work gently around edges and corners where dirt tends to collect. Once you have done this, let the screen dry completely.
Check Your Blackout Curtains First
How to wash blackout curtains. When washing blackout curtains, make sure there is enough space to clean. A bright area is needed to identify any problem areas. A large sink is preferred, but it should be large enough for you to stand comfortably. It is important to wash curtains in full daylight. Better yet, use a flashlight and check screens often.
Soak In Clean Water With Detergent
Once you’ve removed most of the dirt from the curtain, you’ll be left with small bits of dirt. To remove them, sprinkle some detergent on the dirty parts. Detergents are composed of surfactants, polymers, enzymes, solvents, alkalis, and bleaches. Detergents act on dirt particles present on surfaces and dissolve them into smaller units, usually water molecules. They are commonly used to remove stains from clothes and carpets
Be sure to spread the detergent evenly across it. Let the detergent work for at least 10 minutes. Then, rinse the curtain under some running water.
Use Laundry Detergent
Do not use fabric softeners to wash your curtains. Fabric softeners cause the screen to lose some of its lusters. Always choose a laundry detergent specially designed for cleaning the screen.
It breaks down dirt, grease, oil, and stains from clothes. There are two types of detergents: natural and synthetic. Natural detergents are derived from coconut oil, petroleum, palm kernel oil, olive oil, and wool fat. It produces suds but leaves behind a residue. Synthetic detergents contain chemicals that create suds. They may also contain enzymes to help break down stains. When washing blackout curtains, it’s best to choose a mild product that won’t damage the fabric.
Soak The Curtain In Clean Water
The most effective detergents work under the right conditions. To wash blackout curtains effectively, fill the tub with lukewarm water. A temperature between 120°F to 130°F (49°C to 54°C) is ideal. Add 1 teaspoon of detergent to every cup of water. Avoid adding excess water as it dilutes the suds. Soak the screen for 15 minutes. Then gently squeeze out excess water and hang to dry.
Remove The Curtain From The Hook
There is a possibility that the curtain may get stuck on the rollers during the washing process. This can happen if the roller cover is not removed first. To prevent fabric damage, remove the roller cover before starting the washing routine.
Use A Vacuum Cleaner
When cleaning the curtain, you should use a vacuum without using water alone. A regular vacuum can remove dust and dirt from the fabric without any damage. With a regular vacuum, you don’t have to put any detergent or soap in the water to clean your screen. Instead, you can use the suction power of a vacuum cleaner to suck dust and dirt from the fabric. Keep in mind that vacuuming can be done manually but it takes longer.
Clean The Spot With Soap
Laundry Soap
Laundry soap washes away dirt, grime, and stains on clothing and household items. If you want to clean your window blinds without using harsh chemicals, try washing them with laundry liquid. Simply pour something under a bucket, dip the screen rod in it and then drain out the excess liquid. Do this for each side of the fabric.
Castile Soap
Castile soap is gentle but effective for removing stains and cleaning windows. Pour castile soap into a dishpan of hot water and add a splash of white vinegar. The mixture should foam when combined. Dip a rag in the solution and rub gently on the stain. Rinse the area with warm tap water and let it dry completely.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a popular household cleaner, but it is also great for window cleaning. Spray on the co-surface inside the frame and wipe with a soft cloth. It works best in places where it is difficult to reach or where the glass is cloudy. Try spraying a few times before removing the entire blade.
Wait for the vinegar to evaporate before wiping the outside of the blinds and curtains again with a soft cloth. Note that this is not the only way to know how to wash blackout curtains.
Baking Soda
The natural cleaner is baking soda that will work well in a blackout. Sprinkle baking soda directly on the stain, sit for a few minutes and then scrub with a brush. To prevent clotting, mix baking soda with a little hot water to make a paste. Apply to stubborn spots and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush to loosen dirt and then rinse.
Rubbing Alcohol
The best cleaning solution to wash blackout curtains is rubbing alcohol. It works great as a window cleaner, but it also works well as a household cleaner. All you need to do is rub some rubbing alcohol on your curtain rings and then dry them thoroughly. Repeat this step until the entire screen is clear.
Steam Clean
If you really want to clean the screens but don’t have time to take them off completely, try steam cleaning. This method uses water that is heated to temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike traditional dry cleaning, it does not require any chemicals. Just fill a bucket half with hot tap water and add some dish soap. Then place your curtains in the bathtub and soak for 30 minutes. After soaking, remove the curtain from the tub and hang it in the air to dry.
In my opinion, steam cleaning is one of the best ways to clean items from dust, dirt, mold, grime, and stains. This method works well on a variety of surfaces, including blinds and screens.
Washing Machine
The washing machine works wonders to clean your clothes; But what happens if they get dirty? They stay dirty until washed again. The same thing happens when we try to clear our dark curtains from the outside. We usually put them away and then just lower them to see if they are covered in dust. This is where the washing machine comes into play. It is possible to wash your curtain inside the washing machine.
First, fill the machine with water. You can add some salt to the water to remove dirt from the fabric. Next, bring the curtains and place them on top of the drum. Make sure the screen is not touching any other part of it. Put the lid on the machine and turn it on. Make sure you leave enough space between the lid. This helps prevent the lid from breaking. Wait for the cycle to complete before opening the lid.
Let The Screen Dry Naturally
The fabric used to make blackout curtains affects their performance and lifespan. Polyester curtains are much less likely to tear or fade than polycotton curtains.
Do not hang your washed curtains as soon as the washing process is finished. Leave them to air-dry instead. The purpose of the drying process is not only to prevent pilling but also to help loosen dirt trapped inside the screen fibers. After hanging the curtain, it may take several hours to dry completely.
Washing Machine Method
The drying machine is the best option when we want to dry wet clothes as fast as possible. A conventional laundry machine takes more than one hour to complete a cycle. Most electric washing machines only dry clothes at 80 degrees. This means that even if we put our wet items in the washer, they will not dry completely until the next day. We can solve this problem right now using a drying machine – after putting it in our washing machine overnight.
There are two methods; Quality and air drying. The standard procedure usually takes 8 hours and requires a fan or ventilator. It only takes 2 hours for the air to dry, but fresh air needs to be ventilated outside the house.
Such tools help us save time and energy. However, we should know that the drying machine can actually damage our clothes. We cannot directly control the temperature of the drying machine. Therefore, we should choose a suitable drying method according to our own requirements. Otherwise, the results may be unsatisfactory.
Hang The Curtain Outside After Drying
The best time to hang your curtains outside is after they are completely dry. While still wet, they absorb moisture from the air which makes them prone to mold and mildew. When hanging your curtains outside, try to keep them out of direct sunlight.
Dry your black curtain. Set the wet bedding aside and hang the curtains outside to dry. Alternatively, you can hang them indoors in a sunny spot to dry naturally. Don’t let them sit in direct sunlight or near heat vents. Sun will fade and cause shrinkage.
Do Not Iron The Curtain Fabric While Washing
When washing blackout curtains using water, do not iron blackout curtain fabric. This will damage the fabric, and even cause a fire hazard. To wash black curtains, take a clean towel and wet it thoroughly. Then remove excess water. Place the blackout curtain cloth inside the damp towel and soak for 10 minutes.
After soaking, remove excess water again. Hang the blackout curtain fabric to dry. When the blackout curtain fabric is completely dry, place the blackout curtain fabric in the dryer. The recommended drying temperature should be around 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If the blackout curtain fabric gets too hot, the material can melt, causing stains on the fabric.
Keep Away From Children And Pets When Washing
Do not allow children or pets near when washing blackout curtains. Children can spill drinks and snacks on the blackout screen. Pets can lick blackout curtains and leave drool marks on them. Both kids and animals can destroy blackout curtains by chewing on them. So, when washing the blackout screen,
Neglected Eyes After Washing The Curtains
A common mistake we make when washing our curtains is leaving them out while they dry. This discolors them and eventually makes them look dirty. To prevent this from happening, always wash the inside of your blackout curtains before hanging them outside. Blinds can get really dirty, especially if you live in a windy area. For this reason, you should try to keep it inside the dryer. As long as you don’t overload them, they will look brand new after drying.
The Final Thought
Blackout curtains are fabrics that prevent light from entering the room you want to protect from the sun. Wash in cold water using a mild detergent like ivory soap, just like any other curtain material. Be sure to use a bucket and sponge to properly clean the screens instead of using a machine washer. When washing blackout screens, be sure not to rub them back and forth as this can damage the thread.
To clean blackout screens, first, remove them from the frame. Place them flat on a table or countertop. Using a warm, damp cloth, gently rub the curtains and let them dry completely before hanging again. Bleaching curtains can be harmful to the fabric, especially if they are exposed to sunlight for long periods. To protect the integrity of the blackout screen, hang it outside after cleaning. Hope you understand how to wash blackout curtains.
