How to wash curtains at home: fabric, sheer and blackout curtains without shrinking or creasing

Quick answer: read the care label first. Most regular fabric and sheer curtains can be machine washed on a gentle, cool programme, in a laundry bag or a few at a time. Blackout curtains with a coating are better hand washed gently, without hard wringing. For velvet and heavy, wide curtains, use a laundry service. Dry curtains somewhere airy, out of strong sun; many households rehang them while slightly damp so they hang straight.

Before washing

1. Check the care label (usually on the bottom or top hem): water temperature, whether it’s machine washable, whether it can be spun.
2. Remove all hooks and plastic rings (if removable) so they don’t tear the fabric or scratch the drum.
3. Shake out or vacuum both sides. Dry dust turns into streaks when it gets wet.
4. Test dark curtains for colourfastness on a hidden corner: wet it with warm water and press a white tissue on it.

Regular fabric curtains (polyester, cotton, blends)

• Machine wash on a gentle programme (Delicate/Gentle), cool water.
• Don’t overfill the drum: wash wide curtains one panel at a time.
• Use a moderate dose of laundry liquid and add an extra rinse to clear dust and residue.
• Spin at low speed so the fabric doesn’t crease sharply.
• For softer, fresher curtains, add fabric softener in the final rinse if the label allows.

Sheer and lightweight curtains

• Use a mesh laundry bag, a gentle programme or hand wash.
• Don’t soak for long, don’t rub hard.
• See also: How to wash lightweight, silk and sheer fabrics

Blackout curtains with a coating

The back of blackout curtains often has a light-blocking coating. It can crack or peel with vigorous machine washing or hot water.

• Hand wash in a basin or bath: dilute laundry liquid in cool water, wipe gently with a soft cloth, rinse with clean water.
• Don’t twist or wring, don’t tumble dry hot.
• Very large curtains: spot clean in place with a damp cloth, or send to a laundry.

Velvet and heavy, wide curtains

Velvet, multi-layer and lined curtains are heavy and can shrink or stretch in water. Follow the care label; these usually belong at a laundry.

Drying curtains straight and crease-free

• Hang them as soon as the wash finishes; don’t leave wet curtains in the drum.
• Spread them out on a line or rail somewhere airy, out of strong sun, which fades colours.
• Many households rehang curtains on the rail while slightly damp so the weight of the fabric pulls them straight. Do this in an airy room with windows open so they dry fully the same day.
• Never fold curtains while damp: they’ll smell and may spot with mildew.

How often to wash curtains

• About every 3–6 months for living room and bedroom curtains.
• More often for kitchen curtains (cooking smells), homes near busy roads, or if someone has a dust allergy.
• Between washes, vacuum the curtains every week or few weeks.
• Before Tet is a good time. See: Deep cleaning the house before Tet

Laundry liquid and softener for curtains

Liquid detergent dissolves evenly and leaves little residue on regular fabric curtains. A 2-in-1 laundry liquid such as SPY Ultra Clean Plus washes and softens in one step; for a stronger scent, add SPY 5-in-1 Fabric Softener in the final rinse. After rehanging, a light mist of SPY Fabric Spray from 20–30cm away freshens the room.

Read next: How to wash rugs at home