How To Wash Blackout Curtains: A Guide for Spotless Results

Last updated on September 2nd, 2024 at 07:38 am

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to wash blackout curtains!

Blackout curtains are essential for nurseries or bedrooms where blocking out light is a priority, especially for those who need to sleep during the day.

Like any other curtains in your home, blackout curtains accumulate dust and dirt over time and need to be cleaned.

However, due to their specialized materials, you need to be more careful when washing them to avoid damage.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best ways to clean your blackout curtains, ensuring they remain fresh and functional without compromising the fabric’s integrity. Let’s get started!

Why Clean Blackout Curtains?

Blackout curtains not only block light but also insulate against noise and temperature fluctuations, making them a key component in creating a comfortable living space.

Over time, dust, pet hair, and stains can accumulate, diminishing their effectiveness and appearance. Regular cleaning helps maintain their quality and extends their lifespan.

Check Your Blackout Curtains First

There are two types of blackout curtains available.

The first type is made of fabric with a coating on one side. This coating could be made of either foam or latex, so you need to be careful when cleaning them to avoid damage.

Some of these may have specific instructions for cleaning them at home or they may need to be dry cleaned, so be sure to follow those instructions to the letter.

The other type of blackout curtain is a woven triple-weave fabric, which has no coating on the inside.

They are soft and drape nicely to block the sunlight for a darker room. This material is also easier to clean, so there are more options for this.

How To Lightly Clean Blackout Curtains

There are several cleaning methods available for blackout curtains, depending on how dirty they are.

Some of the methods can be used for both types as well, though this isn’t always the case.

Let’s take a look at the best ways to complete this task.

Vacuum

If your blackout curtains are just dusty rather than dirty, you can use a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove the dust.

You don’t even need to remove the curtains from the windows unless you choose to.

Just add the brush to the hose, turn on the vacuum, and then run the brush over the curtains from top to bottom on both sides of the fabric.

You can also use a lint brush to remove any hair that has collected on the blackout curtains. You can run it along the fabric wherever needed.

This will also remove dust and other debris, plus it is easier and quieter than using the vacuum.

Spot Clean

Spot cleaning is also an option for either type of blackout curtains if there are only small areas that need attention.

You can do this with the curtains hanging on the rod or hooks. They can also be removed and laid out on a table to make this process easier.

Be sure to test this method on an inconspicuous area of your curtain to be sure the detergent doesn’t damage the material or alter the color. A detergent free of dyes is best for this process.

Here’s how to spot clean your blackout curtains:

1. Take a small drop of laundry soap and place it on the dirty area of the curtain.
2. Take a cloth, dip it into warm water, ring it out, and then use it to gently rub the soap into the curtain.
3. Rinse the cloth again and wipe the area to remove the excess soap.
4. Repeat this until the soap is gone and the spot is clean.
5. Hang the curtains back where they belong to air dry as they block the sun.

How To Deep Clean Blackout Curtains

Deep cleaning your blackout curtains will likely be necessary at some point.

Of course, you do need to be careful with this process, especially with curtains that have a liner. If your curtains have specific washing guidelines, make sure you follow those to the letter.

This will ensure that you aren’t damaging the materials used to make the curtains.

If there are no strict methods for washing your blackout curtains, here are some methods you can try:

Washing machine

For the woven curtains with no backing, you may be able to place them in a washing machine.

This is best done on front-loading machines since they don’t contain an agitator. This piece could catch on the curtains and tear them.

Place the curtains in the washing machine and add the same amount of laundry detergent that you would normally use. Set it onto the gentle cycle and turn it on.

Hand washing

Hand washing your blackout curtains is a safer and gentler way to deep clean them.

Both liner and non-liner curtains can be washed this way without worrying about damage to the material.

For this process, you’ll need a sink large enough to hold the curtains and enough water to cover them without overflowing.

A better option is using a bathtub since this gives you more room to work with and it can likely hold more than one curtain panel at a time.

Here’s how to hand wash your blackout curtains:

1. Place the curtains in the sink or tub and fill it with warm water.
2. Pour in a small amount of mild laundry soap.
3. Use your hands to gently wash the curtains, squeezing and rubbing any extra-dirty areas. If needed, you can also let them soak a bit to help loosen up any grime.
4. Once the curtains are clean, remove them from the tub or sink.
5. Drain the water while squeezing the excess from the curtains.
6. Refill the tub or sink with clean water. Use this to rinse the curtains to get rid of any soapy residue.
7. Remove them again and gently ring the water from the curtains.

How to Spot Clean Blackout Curtains

Spot cleaning is ideal for small stains or spills. Here’s how you can do it:

Test First: Before applying any detergent, test a small, inconspicuous area of the curtain to ensure it doesn’t damage the fabric or alter its color.

Apply Detergent: Use a mild, dye-free laundry detergent. Apply a small drop directly onto the stained area.

Gently Rub: With a damp cloth, gently rub the detergent into the stain.

Rinse and Repeat: Rinse the cloth, wipe away the soap, and repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.

Dry: Allow the curtains to air dry by hanging them back up.

How To Dry Blackout Curtains

It may be your first instinct to toss your blackout curtains in the dryer after deep cleaning them.

This is a bad idea, though, especially with those curtains that include a liner. The high heat of the dryer can damage the material, so it is best to use another method.

The best way to dry your blackout curtains is to hang them up. If you have space in your laundry room or outside for a clothesline, put one up.

Use the curtain’s hooks or some other hooks you have at home to hang them from the line.

Do not fold the curtains over the line as this could lead to uneven drying or create unnecessary creases in the fabric.

It’s also best to keep the curtain panels separate, with at least a couple of inches between them. This will ensure they dry quickly.

How to Care for Your Blackout Curtains

To prolong the life of your blackout curtains:

Regular Dusting: Regularly dust or vacuum your curtains to prevent dirt buildup.

Spot Clean Immediately: Address stains as soon as they occur to prevent them from setting in.

Store Carefully: If you need to store your curtains, roll them rather than folding to avoid creases.

How To Wash Blackout Curtains: Conclusion

As you can see, washing blackout curtains is relatively straightforward, and there are a number of methods available depending on the type of curtains you have and their washing guidelines.

I hope this article has given you a few ideas on the best way to wash blackout curtains!

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