Is it necessary and how to properly wash blackout curtains by hand and in a machine?

Blackout curtains were recently considered an innovative novelty, but very quickly gained popularity.

Their feature is complete light-tightness, guaranteeing comfort for sleep and complete isolation from sunlight.

Like any textile, blackouts need regular cleaning and washing. Is it possible and how to wash curtains blackout in the washing machine and by hand? Instructions and recommendations from specialists will help you cope with this task.

Washing features

Developed in Finland, blackout fabric is a polyester multi-layer material. It is capable of blocking not only the passage of light, but also sound and cold. This makes such curtains convenient for a home theater, bedroom, living room and other rooms.

The popularity of the fabric is explained by the following advantages:

• hypoallergenic;
• long service life;
• strength;
• crease resistance;
• blocking light;
• ease of care;
• good sound insulation and thermal insulation.

Caring for indoor textiles involves regular cleaning. The peculiarity of most blackout curtains is their ability to withstand both manual and automatic washing. If all rules are followed, the fabric will not lose its qualities after such treatment.

Accurate information about the possibility of washing in a washing machine and the processing temperature can be obtained by examining the label on the product.

Is it possible to put it in the washing machine?

The correct choice of detergent should take into account the composition of the material. For blackout, those designed for delicate processing or washing of wool and silk fabrics are suitable.

It is advisable to give preference to the gel form of the detergent, which dissolves better in water, does not form sediment and does not leave streaks on the material. Colored fabrics should not be washed with bleach.

Washing instructions:

1. Remove the curtain.
2. Disconnect the holders and fasteners. They must be washed separately in soapy water, rinsed and wiped dry.
3. Load the curtain into the drum.
4. Pour washing gel into the container of the washing machine, following the instructions on the package.
5. Set to delicate mode.
6. Set the temperature to +40°C or as recommended by the manufacturer.
7. Set spin to minimum speed. Start the wash cycle.
8. After washing, remove the curtain.
9. Hang the blackout in a permanent place.

When washing in a machine, the spin cycle can be turned off completely, but in this case it is necessary to prepare containers where the water from the curtains will drain. Despite such difficulties, a suspended wet curtain will straighten out under its own weight and will definitely not require ironing.

Manually

The automatic machine makes washing quick and easy. But some housewives prefer the manual method. This option is also the only acceptable option for blackout curtains, which contain inclusions that do not allow automatic washing.

Work order:

1. Run a vacuum cleaner over the curtain on both sides directly on the curtain rod, using a special soft attachment.
2. Remove the curtains.
3. Disconnect the fasteners, wash separately in soapy water and wipe.
4. Prepare a large container in which to place the curtain.
5. Fill it with water at a temperature no higher than +40°C, unless another limitation is specified by the manufacturer.
6. Dilute the detergent in water in the proportion indicated on the package.
7. Lower the curtain into the water.
8. Leave it soaked for half an hour to an hour.
9. Wash, avoiding intense friction.
10. Rinse with plenty of water. You can use a shower head for this.
11. Attach hooks to a rope above the bathtub, on which the curtain will subsequently be placed until all the water has drained from it.
12. Hang the curtain over the bathtub on the prepared hooks.
13. After the water has drained, the curtains are hung in a permanent place.

How to clean without removing?

Most blackout models have a simple design, which allows you to remove the curtains from the curtain rod and wash them in the traditional way by hand or in a machine. Cleaning directly on the curtain rod can help, if desired, to refresh the fabric or clean out local contamination.

Without removing it from the cornice, you can clean the product in the following ways:

• vacuum cleaner;
• steam generator;
• soap solution and sponge.

The first method provides only dry cleaning, removing dust from the fabric. The second allows you to effectively wash and straighten the material.

If you first vacuum the material, then subsequent treatment with a steam cleaner will be very effective.. In this case, dirt will not remain in the fibers of the fabric.Before using the steam cleaner for the first time, its effect on the fabric must be tested in an inconspicuous area.

Without removing it from its usual place, you can clean the material with a weak detergent solution. To do this, it is recommended to use a soft sponge.

1. Fill a container with 5 liters of warm water.
2. Dilute 1-2 tablespoons of washing gel in water.
3. Stir, avoiding the formation of foam.
4. Soak a sponge in the solution and squeeze out excess water.
5. Wipe the curtain with light movements using a sponge. They should go from top to bottom.

Drying

The synthetic composition of blackout curtains allows you to dry the material either directly over the bathtub or in a permanent place. In the latter case, provision should be made for containers on the floor where water will drain.

Undesirable:

• speed up the process using heating devices;
• use open fire;
• throw the curtain over a rope while drying;
• dry in bright sun.

The best option is natural drying.

To iron or not?

Ironing blackout curtains is an optional operation. With proper washing and drying, the material takes the required shape and straightens even without additional ironing.

One of the following methods will help you deal with jammed areas:

• steam generator treatment;
• processing with a slightly warm iron through several layers of gauze or a special cloth designed for ironing delicate materials.

8 recommendations

Expert advice will help maintain the attractive appearance of curtains and preserve their performance for longer.

These include the following recommendations:

1. Regular dry cleaning of blackout will allow you to wash your curtains less often. Vacuuming will help remove dust, which should preferably be done every 7-14 days.
2. The material must not be twisted or wrung out.
3. All curtain fasteners on the curtain rod should be washed separately from the fabric.
4. When choosing a washing method, do not ignore the manufacturer's recommendations.
5. For curtains that are difficult to remove, a steam generator will be a good cleaning assistant.
6. If there is removable decor on the curtains, it should be removed before washing. If the decor is complex and permanent, then the processing should be as delicate as possible.
7. If you are not sure whether the curtain can be washed in an automatic machine (for example, if the label with processing instructions is lost), it is advisable to give preference to hand washing.
8. Poor rinsing of curtains can not only lead to unsightly stains on the fabric, but also to the loss of the hypoallergenic quality of the material.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that blackout curtains are considered quite easy to care for, when washing you must follow the instructions and take into account the manufacturer's recommendations.

And when purchasing new products, study the label and get acquainted in advance with the features of caring for the item. Blackout are practical curtains that can last for many years.