If the care label says dry clean only, do not put the curtains in a washing machine. The fabric, lining and finish may have different requirements. Check the manufacturer’s instructions or ask a suitable textile cleaner. Check the curtain care guide.
Cost or timing does not make an unapproved wash safe. If cleaning is urgent, ask about the permitted method and availability before taking the curtains down.
The checks below help distinguish washable curtains from those requiring specialist care. They do not override a dry-clean-only label.
The Basics of Washing Lined Curtains & Drapes
A lining, interlining or blackout coating can behave differently from the face fabric. A gentle cycle does not make a dry-clean-only curtain washable.
Use only the product and amount permitted by the care instructions. Do not assume one detergent is suitable for every fibre, lining and coating.
For curtains explicitly labelled machine-washable, use the specified programme, temperature and detergent. Follow any instructions about removing fittings and handling the lining.
Cold water does not prevent all shrinkage or distortion. Follow the label’s drying instructions and consider the weight of wet curtains before rehanging them.
However, if ever in doubt, reach out to us for professional upholstery cleaning. For further details, please check our cleaning prices.
Regardless, be prepared for an undesirable outcome, as the curtains, depending on their material, can come out all sorts of wrong. That is why vigilance and care are crucial if you are going to do this on your own.
When Should You Hand-wash?
Hand washing is an option only where the curtain’s care instructions allow it. Lace, sheer fabric or a delicate appearance does not by itself establish that washing is safe.
A mesh bag does not make a non-washable curtain suitable for a washing machine.
No matter what you do, do not wash the curtains with other clothes or fabrics as they may bleed or be vulnerable to colour alteration from other bleeding materials.
Besides, we highly recommend that you do not wash more than one curtain at a time in the washing machine, preventing cramming of material that would likely cause creasing, wrinkling, and potential fraying.
If the label permits hand washing, check that you can handle the full curtain safely and follow the prescribed method. Otherwise arrange specialist care.
Use the label-approved detergent and gentle handling. Do not stamp on curtains in a bath: that can damage the material and create a slipping risk.
Follow any permitted soaking limits and avoid excessive handling of wet fabric. Keep unsuitable linings and coatings out of water.
Drain, lift and dry only as the care instructions allow. Large wet curtains are heavy; get suitable help rather than straining to move them.
What Should You Do if You Shrink Your Curtains?
If curtains shrink or distort, stop further treatment and ask the supplier or a textile specialist about repair. Do not cut the lining as an automatic fix.
Check cotton curtains’ care instructions before washing, and compare the property condition with the move-in inventory when preparing a rental handover. A cleaning booking does not guarantee a full deposit refund. Read current deposit-protection guidance.
Check the label for velvet and other pile fabrics. Different products can have different permitted methods; do not decide from the fabric name alone.
Washing Dirty Drapes & Curtains, Final thoughts
Some curtains are washable and some are not. Read the complete care label, including the lining and drying requirements, before choosing a method.
The labelling, “Dry Clean Only,” is there for a reason.
Washing against the label can cause shrinkage, distorted linings, colour changes or damage to coatings. A discreet test does not establish that the full curtain will survive washing.
If the permitted method is unclear, ask the manufacturer or a suitable textile cleaner before proceeding. Keep the care information for future cleaning.
Regardless of your decision, good luck in returning cleanliness to your curtains and, by extension, your home.
Contact us for professional help.
Care restrictions also matter for upholstered furniture. Read sofa care-label, construction and drying checks.
