Many people assume that if their curtains say they’re washable that there’s all there is to it. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the way it works. In certain circumstances, even curtains that were made to be washable should not be washed in your washing machine. Read on to learn more about them and be sure to check out the huge selection of draperies available for affordable prices from
Half Price Drapes.
Look at both the drapery and the lining
In some cases, either the drapery or its lining will be washable but not both. Since you can’t remove the lining from the drapery, you need to ensure that both the drapery and the lining are washable. If you bought the curtains from a manufacturer who included the same lining on all of their draperies in that line, and they say they’re washable, then you can trust the entire panel is washable.
You also want to make sure that the drapery and its lining are made from the same fibers. If they’re not, then you could have one of them shrink or just dry differently, which can result in your draperies puckering and not hanging naturally.
If the sun has damaged your curtains
If you can see sun damage on your curtains – which ranges from minor fading to significant changes – then you should assume that there’s also damage to the integrity of the fabric and that it’s become weak. In this instance, it’s not wise to wash the curtains.
If your curtains have pleats
Some curtain fabrics technically be washable but if they have pleats, you could find that the pleats don’t hold their shape when they’re washed. You may think that fixing this issue is as simple as ironing new pleats in but trust us – it’s not that easy!
If your drapes don’t easily fit in your washing machine
Some draperies are made from fabrics that are washable but they’re so large and bulky that they don’t fit comfortably into a standard residential washing machine. If this is the case, don’t push it. Either go to a laundromat that has a larger, industrial sized washer, or take your curtains to a dry cleaner who can clean them safely.
Take a look at your trims and embellishments
Once again, it’s not enough to know that the fabric is colorfast and washable. You should also ensure that any
trims or embellishments were added after the curtains were deemed washable.
The bottom line is that if you’re not sure, then it’s not worth potentially running your curtains. Spend a little money and invest in some dry cleaning services that can ensure your curtains work for you for years to come.
