It can take a while, but over time your curtains will pick up grime, dirt, pet hair, allergens, or have an unexplainable spill stain appear from out of nowhere (perhaps children or teenagers, maybe even a clumsy partner?). These can be particularly tricky to remove, especially if you have delicate curtains or if you're dealing with stubborn stains.
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So, inevitably and begrudgingly, the time will come when you need to roll up those sleeves and resign yourself to taking down your curtains and taking them to the dry cleaners or washing machine. But what if there's an easier way? What if you didn’t need to arduously take down each rung and painstakingly put it back up?
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In this blog, we will walk you through the best ways to clean your curtains without having to take them down each and every time. We’ll cover how to clean curtains while hanging so you can avoid the hassle. However, it is worthwhile noting that it’s worth checking the manufacturers note before using any cleaning method and/or products on them. Here are our top tips and recommendations…
 

1. Give your Curtains a Good Shaking Down 

It might seem obvious, but giving your curtains a beating down as the first step will dislodge any easy-to-remove dust and dirt, which you can then easily hoover up from the carpet and surrounding surfaces.

Dislodge stains and debris by shaking the curtains from the top of the pole or rod that they are attached to the wall with and shake the dirt away from the top going down. Unless you are 10 feet tall, we recommend getting a ladder and placing it firmly and securely against the wall before climbing up and always taking caution as necessary. It’s also always a good idea to have someone hold your ladder steady as you climb.
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2. Vacuum your Curtains
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Depending on your vacuum cleaner (a lightweight one with a long hose and soft brush attachment that is easy to manoeuvre is best), you can simply hoover up the dirt and dust, starting at the top and working your way down. Of course, if you are dealing with that unexplained stain that we mentioned earlier, you might not be able to simply hoover this away, but it is a great place to start.

Again, you might need to use a ladder to access the very top of the curtains and you will be needing both hands free to move the vacuum, so you will definitely be needing an extra person to keep you steady. To prevent another build-up, it might be worth adding this chore into your cleaning routine to maintain your curtain material.

 

3. Brush away small fibres (lint)
 

If you have encountered lint before, then you know that it can be very stubborn to remove and may even be resistant to shaking and hoovering. If this is the case, then using a lint roller or brush (or if you do not have access to one of those, rolling some sticky tape backwards on itself and dabbing the curtains can also work) while having the curtains pulled straight. You might be surprised at how much comes off the first time!

 

4. Steam Clean your Curtains 
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This option might not be accessible to everyone, but if you are able to get hold of a steam cleaner (or rent one) then these can be a fantastic way to remove stains and grease in situ. Using a steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment and gentle vertical strokes down the length of the curtains should help you see instant results. Don't worry, steaming machines will not drench them, and they should dry relatively quickly without any accompanying odours.

Remember, use the gentlest setting whilst steam cleaning your curtains (especially if they are made of natural materials such as linen, cotton, and sheer materials) and cover the entire area, starting at the top and moving downwards. This cleaning method is also great for deep cleaning and can often make a big difference.

 

5. Deodorise your Curtains 
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If you were able to steam your curtains, then that should have removed the majority of any unwanted smells and odours. However, if any lingering smells remain, then a good option is to deodorise them using an upholstery deodoriser.

If you do not have an upholstery deodoriser or fancy a more natural solution, then a great trick is to mix a cup of baking soda with 30-40 drops of your favourite essential oil (oregano not only smells lovely but also has antibacterial properties.

However, be mindful to avoid tea tree oil as this can be toxic to children and pets) and rub into the fabric. This not only works for curtains, but all fabrics such as sofas, carpets, and mattresses. Then let it sit overnight and hoover up the baking powder the next day, along with those bad smells!

 

6. Clean your windows 

If your curtain is placed by a window, then keeping these regularly washed and disinfected is beneficial to maintaining clean curtains as dirt and grime can pass between the two. Washing your windows regularly not only keeps your windows sparkling but helps keep your curtains maintained too.

 

7. Let your curtains breath 

Last but not least, letting your curtains breathe regularly (not just after cleaning) helps prevent the build-up of odours and prevents mould from being able to form. Just like any other thing, curtains benefit from a breath of fresh air, so give them a good wafting when you can or open up those windows.

 

Need Some Help? 

 

Of course, if you would rather save yourself the hassle, don’t have access to some of these tools or not seeing the results you’d like, then the team here at Apex will be more than happy to come to your home and clean them for you. We use all natural products, have professional equipment as well as a 100% satisfaction guarantee and an easy payment plan.  

 

If you have any questions or want to book a service then give us a call on 0117313 5008, or fill out a form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. 

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