Made-to-measure curtains are the ultimate in window dressings for your home, regardless of your cosy style or design tastes. Designed to fit your windows perfectly, made-to-measure curtains can add the perfect finishing touches to any style room; essentially, they’re the tailored suit of your home’s wardrobe.
Sadly, curtains aren’t immune to dirt, dust, and an accumulation of grime. From them collecting an unsightly coating or even less than enticing fragrance from external sources, thanks to opening windows too frequently to them being handled by grubby fingers, it’s little wonder curtains need to be cleaned on a regular basis.
Luckily, learning how to clean made-to-measure curtains doesn’t need to be difficult or complex. There are some tips and strategies you can implement to help your home and your curtains look clean and stunning for many years to come.
Read on to find out how to clean made-to-measure curtains to keep them looking fabulous every day.
#1 Regular Maintenance: The Best Way to Clean Made-to-Measure Curtains
Made-to-measure curtains can be a valuable addition to your home, and an investment of this magnitude means that understanding the best way of caring for made-to-measure curtains and how often to wash them is vital for proper upkeep and longevity.
While deep cleaning is a great idea, it should only be done periodically so you don’t damage the material.
Here are some ideas for regular weekly upkeep of your curtains to keep them looking and selling well between deep cleans.
- Vacuuming – gentle vacuuming on a weekly basis can be beneficial for those longer, heavier curtains you have. Using the soft brush attachment on your vacuum, remove any dirt and dust that might be present from the surface of the curtain, paying close attention to hems and folds, as this is where you’re more likely to find build-up.
- Fresh air – open your windows even for a few minutes each day to allow a breeze to circulate the room and blow through the curtains. Windows that aren’t opened frequently can cause a musty smell to build up in the room, and this will linger on your curtains. A small breeze can help to avoid this, and reduce moisture from accumulating and prevent mould and mildew from building up too.
- Fabric refreshers – using fabric fresheners designed specifically for upholstery can be the perfect compromise between deep cleans. Simply spray generously on the fabric (also check to make sure the fabric is suitable for this type of product) and allow them to air dry to help remove odours and keep your curtains looking and smelling fresh.
#2 Deep Clean Every 3-6 Months
While regular maintenance is best carried out weekly, when it comes to how often should you wash made-to-measure curtains, the advice is to do so every 3 to 6 months; more frequently for high-traffic areas and closer to every 6 months, for low-traffic areas.
#3 Steam Cleaning Quick and Effective
Let’s be real: Taking down your curtains can be an arduous task and not something people want to undertake on a regular basis. This is where a steam cleaner can be your ultimate saving grace, especially if you have heavy curtains made from fabrics such as velvet or blackout materials.
Simply attach the fabric attachment of your steam cleaner, and then you can work your way from the top to the bottom with effortless precision to get all parts of the curtain covered.
Steam cleaning curtains helps to sanitise the material and remove any dirt that might be present. It also removes wrinkles and provides a deep cleaning; win-win. Steam cleaning is a more hygienic way to care for different types of material without the introduction of chemicals that can damage the fabric or alter the look and how they hang.
For better results, pull the curtains taut for a smoother surface and avoid soaking them. Also, avoid pulling back the curtains post-steaming and allow them to air dry properly to avoid moisture buildup.
Top tip: Check whether your material is suitable for steam cleaning prior to using this method. The last thing you want is to cause damage when simply trying to find the best way to clean made-to-measure curtains. Using the wrong cleaning method can lead to fabric shrinkage, colour fading, or even irreversible damage, so always ensure you’re using the right approach.
#4 Hand Washing for Delicate Cleaning
Hand washing is the perfect alternative to machine washing and is often preferable for many materials as it allows you to care for more delicate materials and reduce the damage that can be caused by a washing machine. If you have sheer or linen curtains, for example, they require a more gentle touch, and handwashing is the perfect solution when looking for the best way to clean made-to-measure curtains.
- Add warm water to a sink, bath or other tub large enough to hold the curtains and water.
- Fill with warm, not boiling water.
- Add a delicate detergent to the water and mix following the guidelines.
- Submerge the curtains.
- Let them soak.
- Gently squeeze the curtain to remove excess water and do not wring the fabric.
- Hang a curtain in a well-ventilated space to dry out of direct sunlight.
#5 Machine Washing for Lightweight Curtains
Machine washing is ideal for lightweight made-to-measure curtains, provided the materials are machine-friendly. Your manufacturer can advise you on whether or not you can machine wash your made-to-measure curtains.
Always choose a slow, gentle cycle; a hand wash cycle is ideal for more delicate fabrics that can be put in the washing machine and use cooler temperatures to avoid excess damage and increased wear and tear from the laundering process.
Final Words: What’s The Best Way to Clean Made-to-Measure Curtains?
Your made-to-measure curtains don’t need a lot of upkeep unless they’re in a high traffic area that experiences a lot of dirt and grime on a daily basis, ie, windows opening onto busy roads or in a kids’ playroom and are within touching height.
Ultimately, the best way to clean made-to-measure curtains is to always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and proper care instructions of the fabric the curtains are made from.
At Sewing House, we are here to help you with your made-to-measure curtain enquiries. We can help you choose the right fabrics, linings, colours, headings, and walk you through measuring for made-to-measure curtains and what you need to consider before designing your perfect curtains.