Net curtains are best washed at a low temperature, on a delicate programme with a gentle spin. Shake out the dust and soak them first. Whether they can go in the washing machine depends on the fabric and its trimmings, so always start with the care label. Yellowed curtains can be freshened up with oxygen bleach or household treatments, while hanging them slightly damp helps reduce creasing.
Washing net curtains at a glance
- A temperature of 30°C is suitable for most net curtains. Use 40°C only if the care label permits it.
- A delicate programme and a spin speed of 400–600 rpm reduce creasing and the risk of stretching the fabric.
- Bicarbonate of soda, salt and lemon juice can restore whiteness, but should not be used on cream or coloured curtains.
- Hanging curtains while they are still damp often removes the need for ironing.
Preparing curtains for washing
There are four things to do before washing: take the curtains down without tugging, remove their fittings, shake out the dust and read the care label. Otherwise, dirt can remain in the wash water rather than rinsing away, while hooks can snag a delicate weave. Remove clips, hooks, rings and gliders, along with stiffening rods and weighting bars. Left in the drum, these can bend and damage both the curtains and the washing machine. Shake out the dust on a balcony or beside an open window.
Heading tape can usually be left gathered. Its open filament structure allows water through, so the fabric can still be washed properly. White cotton heading tape is an exception: leaving it gathered can result in a grey line along the folds. Treat visible stains before washing, particularly near the bottom of curtains beside balcony doors. Use a soft cloth and water with a little detergent for delicates, or a stain remover with a brush. The care label will specify the temperature, suitable programme and type of detergent.
Soaking curtains before washing
Cool or lukewarm water with a little gentle detergent is enough for soaking. Lightly soiled curtains need around 30 minutes, while very dusty or yellowed fabric may need several hours. A longer soak helps loosen dust and embedded stains before washing.
Choose any additions to the water according to the type of dirt. Bicarbonate of soda can be used for yellowing caused by cigarette smoke or cooking grease, while a few drops of washing-up liquid help dissolve greasy deposits from kitchen fumes. If the curtains have absorbed cooking smells or smoke, change the water several times during soaking, adding detergent each time.
Not every fabric tolerates a long soak. Several hours in water and detergent can weaken the fibres of tulle and organza, so keep their soaking time shorter. Afterwards, gently squeeze out the water without wringing, then transfer the curtains to the machine or to clean water with detergent.
Loading the machine and choosing a programme
Machine washing comes down to three settings and one loading rule: a delicate programme, a low spin speed, a low temperature and plenty of space in the drum. Fold each curtain into a neat rectangle and place it in a mesh laundry bag for delicates. A large pillowcase can also serve as a wash bag.
A bag is essential for curtains with fringes, frills, lace or beads, protecting the decoration from catching on the drum and preventing tangles. Plain curtains can simply be folded, but avoid putting them in as a crumpled bundle, which will leave them heavily creased. Decorative weaves need particular care. Soak jacquard curtains first, then wash them in a delicates bag at 30°C, as vigorous washing can damage the pattern. Guipure lace is similarly sensitive to machine washing, while string curtains can easily lose their shape and should also go in a bag.
Choose a programme labelled ‘Delicates’ or ‘Hand wash’, or a dedicated curtain cycle if the machine has one. Polyester curtains can also tolerate a standard synthetics programme at a reduced temperature. Set the spin speed to 400–600 rpm. Faster spinning can shorten curtains, distort the pattern and leave creases that are difficult to remove.
Keep the load to around a quarter of the machine’s maximum dry-load capacity. Curtains need room to move freely in the water to wash properly, and overloading can damage the machine. Wash them separately from towels, clothes and heavier curtains, as mixing fabrics can cause snags, greying and colour transfer. Thicker curtains benefit from an extra rinse to remove detergent residue.
The right washing temperature
The usual temperature is 30°C, rising to a maximum of 40°C only when the manufacturer allows it on the care label. This applies to both hand washing and machine washing. More delicate weaves need cooler water: tulle and organza are best washed at 30°C or in cool water. Curtains with beads or rhinestones also need a low temperature, as heat can loosen glued decorations or damage them. Water that is too hot can fade coloured details, distort the fabric and cause shrinkage.
Whiteness depends primarily on the detergent, and oxygen bleaches work at temperatures as low as 30°C. Raising the temperature can instead damage delicate fabric.
Detergents to use and products to avoid
Mild detergents designed for delicates or white fabrics are a suitable choice. Powders containing chlorine bleach or bleaching granules intended for heavier fabrics can turn curtains yellow, weaken the fibres and leave thin patches. Liquid detergents are gentler than powders and are better suited to tulle and organza. For white curtains, choose a product for whites or one containing oxygen bleach, provided the care label permits it. Oxygen bleach is safer for synthetic fibres than chlorine bleach.
Laundry capsules and tablets contain ingredients in fixed proportions. Avoid those with strong dyes or intense fragrances, as their residue can yellow on the fabric over time. Too much detergent leaves deposits and a grey cast, so an extra rinse is preferable to adding more powder when washing delicate material. Check that the detergent has rinsed out at the end of the cycle and run another rinse if necessary. Fabric conditioner softens the fibres and makes ironing easier; for white curtains, choose a product intended for whites to avoid dust-attracting residue.
Curtains that need hand washing
Embroidered curtains, heavily decorated designs and those with long fringes should be washed by hand, as their small details can become misshapen in the drum. Velvet, velour and plush fabrics require dry cleaning because domestic detergents can quickly damage them. If the label is missing and you do not know the fabric, professional cleaning or hand washing is the safer option.
Fill a large basin or bath with lukewarm water at 30–40°C, according to the care label, and dissolve a powder for whites or a gentle liquid detergent before adding the curtain. Move the submerged fabric gently without rubbing or kneading, then leave it for 15–30 minutes. Squeeze it lightly and transfer it to clean, lukewarm water to rinse away the detergent.
Press out excess water gently without twisting, which can stretch the fabric. Placing the curtain between clean cotton cloths helps absorb moisture. A little vinegar in the final rinse softens the fibres and freshens the fabric.
Household treatments for white curtains
Bicarbonate of soda, table salt, lemon juice and baking powder are four household additions used to restore whiteness. All are intended for white curtains only. Bicarbonate of soda is one of the gentler options and tackles both greying and odours. Add two to three tablespoons to the washing powder and wash as usual. For more pronounced yellowing, dissolve it in a basin of warm water and soak the curtain for several hours before washing. It also softens the water, helping the detergent work more effectively.
Salt is used to whiten fabric and restore its sheen. Dissolve two tablespoons in one litre of water, soak the curtain for 10 minutes, then wash by hand or machine. Lemon juice has a similar effect on fabric that has lost its brightness, with a change visible after a 30-minute soak. Baking powder dissolved in warm water, at three to four tablespoons per basin, suits delicate fabrics, although it may be too mild for heavy soiling.
Do not use household whitening treatments on cream or coloured curtains: they can lighten patterns unevenly and leave marks. Do not combine several methods at once. Before using a commercial whitener, check the recommended dose and test it on a small, inconspicuous area.
Laundry starch serves a different purpose. Starched curtains collect less dust, making the next wash easier. Homemade starch made from potato starch should only be used when hand washing, in the final rinse. For machine washing, use a ready-made product, as the sticky homemade mixture can gum up parts of the drum.
Reducing creases and ironing
The most effective approach is to limit spinning and hang the curtains while they are still damp. Their own weight helps smooth the fabric, often making ironing unnecessary. Folding them neatly and using a wash bag also reduces creasing. You can skip the spin cycle altogether and gently press out the water by hand. Remove the curtains as soon as the programme finishes, shake them out and hang them on the pole or track.
Fabric conditioner helps the softened fibres settle and makes any subsequent ironing quicker. If water is still dripping from the fabric, run another rinse-and-spin cycle or protect the floor with towels. For remaining creases, iron the curtains while slightly damp, using a low setting and working from top to bottom. Protect a delicate weave with a thin pressing cloth, or use steam without pressing the iron against the fabric. A garment steamer or steam-generator iron can be easier for large curtains, which can be treated while hanging. Avoid ironing decorated curtains, or iron only undecorated areas, as the embellishments can melt.
Drying curtains after washing
Dry curtains in a well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Radiators and electric dryers can shrink the fabric and set creases, while sunlight on wet curtains can cause yellowing. Washing in the evening allows you to hang them straight back up once the window is no longer in direct sun. Alternatively, hang them over the bath to drip dry.
Do not leave curtains bunched up or tightly folded on a radiator, as they will dry unevenly and can develop an unpleasant smell. Natural drying indoors is the safest approach for all types of net curtain. Cotton absorbs more water than synthetic fabric and takes noticeably longer to dry.
How often to wash net curtains
Two to four washes a year are usually enough for curtains in a bedroom, living room or study, where less dirt accumulates. Washing roughly quarterly is a useful routine, with once every six months as a minimum. Kitchens are different: grease and cooking smells can make monthly washing necessary. Windows overlooking a busy road also collect smog and dust much faster.
Cigarette smoke, children and pets can all increase the frequency, as can frequent handling of curtains beside balcony doors. If a curtain looks dirty before its next planned wash, wash it sooner.
Further curtain-care advice
Washing with other fabrics
Keep net curtains separate from heavier curtains, towels and clothes. This reduces the risk of snagging, greying and colour transfer to the delicate fibres.
Adding vinegar
A little vinegar in the final rinse softens and freshens the fabric. A few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar are used on coloured curtains to revive their colours.
Freshening curtains without washing
Mist the fabric with water until damp, then go over it with a garment steamer. Alternatively, vacuum it using a round brush or an elongated attachment.
Machine washing curtains with eyelets and rings
These curtains can be machine washed with care, although their fittings can become distorted in the drum. Remove any detachable fittings before washing.
Storing curtains
Put curtains away only when they are clean and completely dry. Fold them loosely in a closed wardrobe or chest of drawers away from light, placing white acid-free paper between the layers to absorb moisture.
Fabric, trimmings and fittings affect how curtains can be washed and how often they need taking down. When planning window treatments for your home, find architects, interior designers and interior photographers in the PLNDesign directory.
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