How to Wash Curtains Without Ruining Them

Washing curtains sounds simple until you pull them out of the machine and they’re half the size they were going in, or the lining has gone weird. Here’s how to avoid all of that.

Check the label first – every time

The care label tells you everything you need to know and it’s worth actually reading it. Lined curtains, blackout curtains and velvet curtains in particular often can’t be machine washed. If the label says dry clean only, take it to the dry cleaner.

For machine-washable curtains

Use a cool wash – 30°C is usually the right temperature for most curtain fabrics. Hot washes cause shrinkage and can affect blackout coatings. Use a gentle or delicates cycle and avoid overloading the drum.

Shake them out before they dry

As soon as the cycle ends, shake each panel out thoroughly before hanging them up. This knocks out the worst of the creases while the fabric is still damp. Hang them straight back on the pole to dry if possible – the weight of the damp fabric pulls the creases out naturally.

Avoid the tumble dryer

High heat in a tumble dryer is one of the most reliable ways to shrink curtains. Unless the label specifically says tumble dry, hang them instead.

Browse our full curtains range – and if you’re in the market for a fresh pair after a wash-gone-wrong, we’ve got you covered.

At Ooble, we stock curtains that look great, wash well (check the label), and don’t cost the earth. Have a browse.