There’s a cosiness to curtains, and a style that cannot be denied. They block the light and draughts, and add opulence to boot.

They also attract dust like pins to a magnet, and how many times can you splash sangria all over them and claim it’s part of the pattern? So there comes a time, several in fact, when you’re just going to have to clean those curtains properly. And it’s best to just make a note now, while winter’s still on, so you can start to mentally prepare yourself so you’ll be ready to tackle the task of cleaning your curtains properly instead of letting it go for yet another year.

How often should I clean my curtains?

Can you believe you’re supposed to clean your curtains every 3-6 months? No one’s doing that. I’m not doing that. Are you doing that? Seriously, no one’s doing that. No one actually turns their mattress and no one cleans their curtains. Because. We forget. And it’s hard. Curtains are long and big and too heavy and surely a mere human cannot possibly do a thing like cleaning curtains in the first place.

However, if we do choose to take on this challenge, we get to rid our sanctuaries of so much dirt and dust we might discover a dust allergy we didn’t even know we had suddenly clears up. With clean curtains, we freshen up our rooms and our health.

What’s the easiest way to clean curtains? 

The job of cleaning curtains will be easier if there’s not much to do in the first place. Regular vacuuming of your curtains, as part of your usual housekeeping, will keep the dust away. If you’ve never vacuumed your curtains before, that first time will just take a little longer.

Do you know all those attachments that came with your vacuum? Hopefully, you haven’t lost or thrown away the one with bristles on the end. Those bristles are there specifically to help remove dust from curtains and upholstery! Start at the top of the curtain, work your way down, and pay close attention to the edges and bottoms, where the curtains brush against the sill and floor and therefore collect most dust. You’ll soon get the hang of it and cleaning your curtains will be over in minutes.

Can I clean my curtains without taking them down?

Isn’t this the number one reason you don’t clean your curtains? Taking them down isn’t too bad, but re-hanging them? An hour later your arms are aching and you realise that somehow you lost half the hooks.

If you have your own steamer, away you go. Use long sweeping movements, again from top to bottom, and finish off by defining any folds you wish your curtain to have. Otherwise, you can always book the professionals to pop in and do it for you. Support a local business, and enjoy a margarita instead of getting hot, bothered and achey. It’s a win-win solution.

Can I clean my curtains In the washing machine?

I do. The care label says I can. I also have lightweight curtains. Long and heavy curtains will be a different matter. They may overwhelm your machine and not get especially clean. Depending on the material, they may become distorted and not hang properly when you put them back up.

You also want to be careful when it comes to drying your curtains. They may need ironing. If you hang them back on their hooks and wait for them to dry naturally, that can work. Just be sure to keep the room well-ventilated to prevent mold from forming on your lovely clean curtains.

If you’re not sure about the fabric and how your curtains will cope with being cleaned, your Dry Cleaners will be able to advise on the best way to clean your curtains. A dry clean may seem like the obvious way to go, but again, it depends on the fabric. If it hasn’t been pre-treated, your curtains may be damaged by the dry cleaning chemicals.

However you choose to approach the annoying task of cleaning your curtains, remember that it won’t just be your curtains that will have an air of freshness to them, but the air of the room itself. You’ll be keeping your environment clean and dust-free. Your home will be fresh as a daisy for the coming warmer months, ready for the much wanted Spring.