How to Get Wrinkles Out of Curtains

Co-authored by Bridgett Price

Last Updated: September 11, 2022

Curtains can develop deep-set wrinkles if they’ve been folded in a linen closet for a while. If you need to treat wrinkles without taking them down, there are several easy options, such as spritzing them with water, using a wrinkle-release product, or steaming them. If you want to take the curtains down to get the wrinkles out, try drying them with a damp towel, steaming them in your bathroom, or ironing them. Washing and hanging up the curtains will also get out the wrinkles, so this is a good option if you need to wash them anyways. If all else fails, take your curtains to a dry cleaner for professional help.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Treating Wrinkles on Hanging Curtains

1
Spritz the curtains with plain water to remove the wrinkles. Fill a clean spray bottle with plain water and spray the curtains wherever you spot wrinkles or spray them all over until they’re damp. Then, let the curtains hang while they air dry. The weight of the curtains along with the moisture from the water may be enough to smooth out the wrinkles.^{[1]
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- You can also try a 50:50 combination of white vinegar and water to spritz the curtains.
2
Spray the curtains with a wrinkle-release product. Spray any wrinkled spots on the curtains with wrinkle-release product. If needed, you can spritz the curtains all over. Then, allow the curtains to air dry. The dampness and weight of the curtains will smooth out the wrinkles over the next few hours.^{[2]
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- If the curtains still appear wrinkled after 24 hours, repeat the treatment or try another option.
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3
Use a handheld steamer to remove wrinkles from the curtains. Fill the steamer with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then turn it on. Aim the nozzle of the steamer at the wrinkles moving from the top of the curtains to the bottom. Let the curtains air-dry over the next 24 hours. If the curtains are still wrinkled, repeat the treatment or try a different option.^{[3]
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Tip: See if anyone you know has a steam cleaner you can borrow if you don’t own a steamer and don’t want to buy one.
4
Hold an iron on the steam setting against the curtains. If you have an iron with a steam setting, fill it with water and turn it on. Once it’s ready, hold the iron up against the curtains so that it’s about 6 in (15 cm) away from the fabric. Then, press the button on the iron to release the steam and move the iron back and forth over the wrinkled areas.^{[4]
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- If you want to steam the whole length of the curtain, start at the top of the curtains and move down towards the bottom.
- Avoid holding the iron over one area of the curtain for too long. About 3 to 5 seconds is plenty of time to steam each section.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Taking the Curtains Down to Remove Wrinkles

1
Place the curtains in a dryer with a damp towel. Take the curtains off the curtain rod, put them into the dryer, and then moisten a small towel or washcloth with water. Wring out the towel or washcloth until it is just damp. Place the towel or washcloth into the dryer with the curtains and run the dryer on low to medium heat for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then, remove the curtains immediately and hang them up again.^{[5]
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- If the towel or washcloth is still wet when you check on the curtains, run the dryer for another 5 to 10 minutes.
2
Hang the curtains over a shower rod and run hot water to create steam. Take the curtains off the curtain rod and drape them over the shower rod in your bathroom. Then, turn on the hot water and close the bathroom door and any windows. Let the bathroom fill with steam over the next 5 to 10 minutes, then turn off the water. Allow the curtains to hang in the bathroom for about 30 minutes. Then, hang them back up to dry on the curtain rod.
- Once the curtains are completely dry, the wrinkles should be gone.
3
Iron the curtains if they have stubborn wrinkles. Remove the curtains from the curtain rod, lay them onto an ironing board or on top of a towel on a table or bed. Then, iron the curtains on the lowest setting to remove the wrinkles. Move the iron slowly over each section of the curtains until all of the wrinkles are gone.^{[6]
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Tip: Ironing curtains is more involved and time consuming than any other option, but this may be the best choice for deep set wrinkles that won’t come out. Ironing curtains will also give them an extra-crisp look that can be appealing.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Washing and Drying the Curtains

1
Wash the curtains according to the care instructions. If your curtains are wrinkled and need to be washed, take them off of the curtain rod and check the care instructions. Most curtains can go into your washing machine when you need to clean them, but do not do this if the care instructions read: “dry clean only.” If the care instructions say it’s okay to use a washing machine, check to see what settings are recommended.^{[7]
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- For example, if the care tag specifies that the curtains need to be washed on the delicate setting with warm water, wash them according to these instructions.
Tip: If the care instructions specify that the curtains are “dry clean only,” take them to a dry cleaners to get them cleaned. Washing dry clean only curtains may damage them.
2
Put the curtains in a dryer on low-heat if possible. After the wash cycle is finished, remove the curtains from the dryer and put them into the dryer. Turn the dryer on low-heat and follow any other instructions on the curtains’ care tag for what settings to choose. Dry the curtains for about 20 to 30 minutes or until just damp. Remove the curtains from the dryer when the cycle finishes.^{[8]
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- Make sure to remove the curtains from the dryer immediately after the cycle is finished or they will become wrinkled again.
3
Hang the curtains back up and allow them to air dry. It’s okay to take the curtains out of the dryer while they’re still damp. They will finish drying on the curtain rod and this will help to remove any remaining wrinkles from them. Hang the curtains on the rod and spread them out so that the air can circulate around them and they will dry evenly.^{[9]
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- It may take 1 to 2 days for the curtains to dry completely depending on how thick they are.
- To speed up the drying process, try opening the windows and aiming a fan at the curtains.