The Curtain Cleaning Task You're Probably Not Doing Often Enough

Overall, it's pretty easy to stay on top of your regular cleaning routine. Most people remember to mop their floors weekly and wipe down their kitchen counters every day. But what about your curtains? Because they just hang there and block light, curtains often get overlooked, even though they need the occasional cleaning, too. And unfortunately, a quick pass with a vacuum attachment isn't always enough to keep them hygienic. You need to take them down and wash them — or else you're probably cleaning your curtains the wrong way.

Curtains tend to collect a variety of gunk, such as microscopic dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens. This buildup slowly dulls your curtains' fabric, and you might not notice until you finally wash them. The allergens can also negatively impact your indoor air quality by lingering in the rooms you hang out in every day.

Because curtains aren't something that pops into most people's minds when they start cleaning, they rarely get washed. And given that you should actually wash your curtains every 3 to 6 months – more often if you have pets or bad allergies – that's bad news, no matter how you read it. Adding this task to your quarterly or monthly cleaning routine can make a big difference in your home. Not only will your regularly-washed curtains look better, but they'll also help keep your home's air cleaner.

Before chucking your curtains into the washer, check their care tag. Why? While some materials, such as polyester and cotton, are durable enough to handle being tossed into your washer at home, other types of curtains need to be hand washed, and very delicate materials, like silk, often require professional dry cleaning. 

For hand washing, fill your tub or a clean storage bin with lukewarm water. Then let the curtains soak in a gentle detergent and only lightly agitate or rub them; don't wring or scrub. Empty the basin and rinse your curtains. For machine washing, select the delicate cycle and choose a cold water setting to prevent shrinking. From there, add a little mild liquid laundry detergent, and you're good to go. 

When it comes to drying, air drying is best. Hang your curtains somewhere, like on a drying rack, clothesline, or even over your shower curtain rod. Some materials can handle being in the dryer on low heat, but check the care label, as heat can shrink or warp certain fabrics. You can also tumble dry them on a low- or no-heat setting to remove excess water, then pull them out when they're still a little damp. Once they're completely dry, hang them back up on their rods. Wrinkles should sort themselves out in a matter of days, thanks to gravity. If stubborn creases remain, steam your curtains for the perfect wrinkle-free look. Giving your curtains a proper washing really doesn't take much effort. Plus, it literally helps you enjoy a breath of fresh air in your newly revived room.