How to Wash Linen Curtains

Co-authored by Elias Weston

Last Updated: April 22, 2022 References

Curtains are a lovely addition to any home; they add softness to the room while also adding privacy. Not all curtains can be cleaned in your washer; some require dry cleaning. Some are more durable and can be thrown in your washer, and more delicate ones have to be washed by hand. Be sure to check the washing instructions on the tags. A few minutes making sure your curtains are clean can make a big difference to your room!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing Curtains in Your Washing Machine

1
Machine-wash your curtains if they are made from a more durable, thicker linen. It's the most effective way to thoroughly clean the dust and dander from your curtains. Be sure to check the backing of the curtains to make sure they can be laundered this way.
2
Take the curtains down from the windows and prepare them for washing. If there is a stain on the curtains, spot treat them with laundry detergent or a mild soap. You may want to test a small spot on the curtains before pre-treating the stains to make sure the color doesn’t run. Test the color-fastness of the linen in an area that isn't easy to see like on the backside of the curtain.

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3
Put the curtains into your washing machine and set it to “delicate”.^{[1]
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Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.} The setting may also be labeled as “hand-wash”. Using hot water for linen will wear it out over time, so use the warm or cold setting to keep the fabric from becoming misshapen. The fabric may need to be stretched out gently after the washing process.
4
Add the desired amount of detergent to the washing machine. White curtains may benefit from a mild bleach or whitening detergent.^{[2]
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Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 23 May 2019.} Mixing white curtains and colored curtains may lead to color-bleeding, however.^{[3]
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Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.}^{[4]
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- Because the curtains may not be as durable as clothing, you should use a detergent that is colorless and not heavily scented.
- Natural or biodegradable detergents may work best for your curtains.
5
Dry the curtains out until they are no longer dripping wet. Thicker curtains will probably need to be ironed out later to remove wrinkles and creases, and it's best if they are slightly damp while they are being ironed.Put them in the dryer on the delicate cycle. Set the machine on a low heat setting and make sure not to overload the dryer. The curtains need room to move so that they can get a proper airflow. It may take longer for the curtains to dry if they are floor-to-ceiling length.
- Hang the curtains outside to dry in the sun. Hang the curtains outside in an area that receives a good breeze. If you don’t have a clothesline, you may be able to string a line between structures like your house and the fence.
6
Iron the curtains using vertical strokes. While the curtains are still slightly damp, set the iron to a low heat setting and iron them in long, length-wise strokes. You may need to gently stretch the fabric out to get them to their original size if the curtains shrunk during the drying phase. ^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Washing the Curtains by Hand

1
Wash your curtains by hand if they are made from a more delicate material like sheer linen or lace. The delicate materials may snag or unravel in the washer even in the delicate cycle, and you don't want to risk ruining or damaging your curtains while you're trying to clean them.
2
Soak the curtains in a vessel filled with cold or warm water. Using a mild detergent, gently agitate the curtains to release stains and dust. You can gently scrub difficult stains if there are any. Don’t wring the fabric as it can cause creasing that may be difficult to get out. Use gentle washing motions.^{[6]
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Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.}
- Floor-to-ceiling curtains should be placed in your clean bathtub.
- Shorter curtains may be able to fit in your kitchen or utility sink. ^{[7]
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3
Hang the damp curtains on the shower rod to dry. Leave them on the shower rod until they are not dripping wet. The curtains need to dry completely in a well-ventilated area, so you have to completely dry them elsewhere.
4
Dry the curtains out most of the way. For very delicate curtains, you may find that hanging them outside to dry on a breezy, sunny day is the best way to dry them since the dryer can cause snagging even on the delicate cycle. If you prefer the dryer, place the curtains in a mesh garment bag to protect them from tattering.
5
Iron the curtains to release the wrinkles. While the curtains are still slightly damp, Set the iron to a low heat setting and iron them on a flat surface on the side that doesn’t show. You may need to gently stretch the fabric out to get them to their original size. ^{[8]
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- Sheer linen curtains and other delicate curtains may be damaged by the heat of the iron. Put a t-shirt between the iron and the curtains to ensure they don't get burned.
- Some irons have a steaming option for delicate materials. You don't hold the metal plate to the material; you hover it over the materials and allow the steam to heat it.
- Steaming is a good option for delicate curtains that might be damaged by an iron. Some steamers attach to your vacuum and others are hand-held.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Shaking out and Scenting the Curtains

1
Shake the curtains out to release the dust and dander. Take the curtains down from the rod and vigorously shake them until no more dust is coming off. You may also spray the curtains with a scented fabric spray or steam them with a hand-held steamer to refresh them. Freshening the curtains up should be done at least every 3 months.
2
Vacuum the curtains using the brush attachment. You can leave them hanging and gently run the brush attachment over them to remove built-up dust or lay them on a flat surface to keep dust from falling off while vacuuming. ^{[9]
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- If you have an especially powerful vacuum, you may want to be careful about using the hose to dust curtains. Curtains can easily be sucked into the vacuum.
- Delicate curtains may be too light to vacuum at all. Shaking them out, steaming them, or lint-rolling them may be the best option.
3
Put the curtains into the dryer and air-fluff them for 10-15 minutes. You should use no or low heat and rehang them immediately to avoid wrinkles setting in. You can also freshen their scent with a fabric-safe scented spray. ^{[10]
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4
Use a lint-roller or dryer sheet on the curtains. You can do this while they’re still hanging. Both products will remove the dust, and the dryer sheet will leave a pleasant scent. You may want to vacuum the floor nearby the curtains to pick up any fallen dust and dander.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can I wash linen curtains in the washing machine?

Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Elias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. Elias specializes in helping clients find cleaning services with instant booking and flexible pricing. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.

Elias Weston

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

You can, definitely, but make sure that your machine is on the gentle cycle, and if you are washing them with other items, make sure they are of similar quality, size, and color.

Warnings

Read the cleaning instructions on the tags of the curtains if you haven’t removed them.

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Linen has a tendency to shrink, especially when subjected to heat. It is recommended to hang dry them to avoid unnecessary shrinkage.

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