How to Wash Curtains
Never machine wash blackout curtains. The foam/latex coating permanently delaminates under agitation, destroying the blackout function.
Always check the care label first. Many lined and thermal curtains are dry-clean only due to differential shrinkage between the face fabric and lining.
Why Curtains Need Different Care
Curtains differ from regular clothing in several important ways that affect washing. The most critical difference is the coating and lining structures found in many curtain types, which behave very differently from fabric under heat and agitation. Blackout curtains have a foam or latex rubber coating applied to the back of the face fabric — either a three-pass or two-pass coating that blocks light. This foam layer is mechanically bonded to the fabric but is not stable in a washing machine. The agitation cycle causes the foam to flex, crack, and delaminate from the face fabric. As it breaks away, it forms pilling and particles that contaminate the wash load, clog the machine filter, and permanently destroy the blackout function of the curtain. Once the coating has delaminated, it cannot be repaired. The lining in lined curtains creates a differential shrinkage problem. The face fabric (usually cotton, linen, or viscose) and the lining (usually polyester satin, acetate, or cotton sateen) have different shrinkage rates. If the curtain is washed at temperatures above 30°C or tumble dried, the face fabric and lining contract at different rates — the lining typically shrinks more than the outer fabric, causing it to pull the outer panel into permanent diagonal puckering. Professional dry cleaning avoids this problem because dry-cleaning solvent does not cause differential shrinkage the way water does. The header tape (the stiffened top edge of pleated curtains) is another concern. Curtain header tapes are made from woven fabric stiffened with interfacing — a non-woven backing fused to the tape with a thermoplastic adhesive. Washing above 40°C can soften this adhesive and cause the interfacing to delaminate, distorting the header tape and making it impossible to re-hang the curtains properly.
By Curtain Type
Unlined cotton or linen curtains
30°C gentle cycleMachine wash at 30°C, one panel per load to allow room for water circulation. Cotton and linen curtains shrink in hot water — always buy curtains with extra length for shrinkage allowance, or wash at 30°C to minimise this. Do not tumble dry — hang while still slightly damp to allow gravity to remove creases. Iron on the linen/cotton setting while damp if creases remain.
Lined curtains (cotton/polyester lining)
Check label — often dry-clean onlyIf the care label permits machine washing: cold wash only (30°C maximum), gentle cycle, one panel per load. High risk of lining shrinkage causing puckering. If the care label says dry-clean only, do not risk it — the lining/face differential shrinkage can permanently ruin the curtain. Remove hooks, rings, and weights before washing.
Blackout curtains
Do not machine washNever machine wash blackout curtains. The foam/latex backcoating delaminates under agitation, permanently destroying the blackout function and producing particles that contaminate the machine. Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. For full cleaning: professional dry cleaning or specialist curtain cleaning. Vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment to remove dust.
Net curtains / voile / sheer curtains
30°C cold, mesh bagMachine wash at 30°C in a mesh laundry bag (the delicate fabric snags easily without containment). Gentle cycle. White net curtains can be soaked in warm water with a laundry whitener or a small amount of OxiClean before washing to restore brightness. Hang straight from the washing machine while still wet — net curtains are very easy to crease during wet handling. Rehang immediately.
Thermal/insulating curtains
Check label — often dry-clean onlyThermal curtains have a multi-layer construction with foam or wadded interlining. The interlining can distort in a washing machine and is difficult to dry evenly. Most manufacturers recommend dry cleaning. If the label permits washing: 30°C gentle cycle, do not tumble dry, reshape and dry flat or hang immediately.
Velvet curtains
Do not machine washVelvet pile is permanently damaged by washing — the pile mats and cannot be restored. Dry clean only. Vacuum regularly with a low-suction brush attachment. For spot cleaning: steam only (not iron contact), applied from the reverse side where possible.
General Washing Steps
Remove all hooks, rings, clips, and curtain weights
Metal hooks and curtain rings will snag the fabric and can damage the drum during washing. Curtain weights (the small metal or plastic weights sewn into the hem) can work loose in a wash and damage the machine. For header tape with pockets: remove the curtain hooks from each pocket before washing.
Dust the curtains before washing
Curtains accumulate significant dust and airborne particles over time. Shake them outside or vacuum both sides with a soft brush attachment before washing. Washing without removing surface dust first deposits the dust as a grey residue across the wet fabric.
One curtain panel per wash load
Large curtain panels are heavy and need space in the drum for water to circulate properly. Overloading prevents adequate rinsing and leaves detergent residue (which appears as a white haze on dark curtains). For very large panels (floor-to-ceiling in tall rooms), use a large-capacity laundromat machine rather than a domestic machine.
Cold wash (30°C), gentle cycle, half-dose detergent
Cold water prevents shrinkage of cotton/linen face fabric and avoids triggering differential shrinkage in lined curtains. Half the normal detergent dose — curtains are large but not heavily soiled (mostly dust and light airborne grease) and over-dosing leaves residue.
Remove immediately and hang while still damp
Do not leave curtains sitting in the drum after the cycle — they will crease heavily as the wet fabric compresses under its own weight. Hang immediately, pulling the fabric straight. Hanging while damp allows gravity to pull the creases out without ironing. Rehang on the curtain rail with hooks if possible — the weight of the curtain helps it fall straight as it dries.
FAQ
Can you wash curtains in the washing machine?
It depends on the curtain type. Unlined cotton, linen, and polyester curtains can be machine washed at 30°C on a gentle cycle. Net curtains and voile can be washed at 30°C in a mesh laundry bag. Blackout curtains cannot be machine washed — the foam coating delaminates. Lined curtains are often marked dry-clean only because of differential shrinkage between the face fabric and lining. Always check the care label first.
Why do curtains shrink after washing?
Cotton and linen curtains shrink from heat and agitation — the same as clothing in those fabrics. Washing at 30°C minimises shrinkage. Many professional curtain cleaning services specifically recommend measuring curtains before washing to check for shrinkage. If curtains are already the correct length and you cannot afford any shrinkage, dry cleaning is safer than machine washing.
How do you clean blackout curtains?
Spot clean with a damp cloth and a small amount of mild detergent. Do not rub — dab gently and allow to air dry. For full cleaning, professional curtain cleaning services (not standard dry cleaning — specialist curtain cleaners who understand the coating) are the appropriate option. Vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment to reduce the frequency of cleaning needed. Never machine wash — the foam/latex backcoating permanently delaminates.
Should you iron curtains after washing?
The best approach is to avoid ironing entirely by hanging curtains while still slightly damp — gravity removes most creases as they dry in position. If ironing is necessary: iron on the wrong side at the appropriate temperature for the fabric. For long curtains, hanging them back on the rail while still slightly warm after ironing and allowing them to cool in position is more effective than ironing on a flat surface. Net curtains should not be ironed — hang straight from wet.
Got a stain on fabric?
Use the stain picker →