How to Wash Curtains at Home: The Complete Guide for Every Fabric

Washing curtains at home is easier than most people think — but the key is knowing the right method for your fabric type. Wash them wrong and you risk shrinkage, color bleeding, or damaged fabric. Follow this guide and your curtains will come out clean, fresh, and wrinkle-free.

What You'll Need

• Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths (24-pack) — for spot pre-treating before washing
• Pressurized Handheld Steam Cleaner — for de-wrinkling curtains after washing without ironing
• Mild laundry detergent (gentle or delicate formula)
• Large washing machine or bathtub (for hand washing)
• Clothesline or curtain rod for drying

Step 1: Check the Care Label

This is the most important step. Every curtain should have a care label with washing instructions:

• Machine wash symbol: Safe for washing machine
• Hand wash symbol: Hand wash only
• Dry clean only: Take to a professional cleaner
• Do not wash: Spot clean or steam only
• Temperature symbols indicate the maximum water temperature

If there's no label, treat the curtains as hand wash only to be safe.

Step 2: Pre-Treat Stains

Before washing, spot-treat any visible stains with a damp microfiber cloth and a small amount of mild detergent. Blot gently — don't rub. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before washing.

Step 3: Remove Hooks, Rings, and Weights

Remove all curtain hooks, rings, clips, and any removable weights from the hem before washing. These can snag the fabric or damage the washing machine drum. If the hooks are sewn in, place the curtains in a mesh laundry bag to protect them.

Machine Washing Curtains

1. Shake the curtains outside first to remove loose dust
2. Wash one panel at a time if possible — overcrowding prevents proper cleaning and causes more wrinkling
3. Use a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water
4. Use a small amount of mild detergent — too much leaves residue
5. Skip the spin cycle or use the lowest spin speed — high spin causes severe wrinkling in curtain fabric
6. Remove promptly when the cycle ends — leaving curtains in the machine causes deep wrinkles

Hand Washing Curtains

For delicate fabrics (silk, lace, velvet, embroidered curtains):

1. Fill a bathtub with cool water and a small amount of gentle detergent
2. Submerge the curtains and gently agitate — don't scrub or wring
3. Let soak for 10–15 minutes
4. Drain and refill with clean cool water; gently squeeze the curtains to rinse
5. Repeat rinsing until no soap remains
6. Gently press out excess water — never wring, which distorts the fabric

Drying Curtains

How you dry curtains makes a huge difference in the final result:

• Best method: Rehang on the curtain rod while still slightly damp. The weight of the fabric pulls out wrinkles as it dries, and the curtains dry in their natural hanging position
• Clothesline: Hang over a clothesline or shower rod, smoothing out any folds by hand
• Tumble dry: Only if the care label allows; use low heat and remove while still slightly damp
• Never: Wring, twist, or fold wet curtains — this causes permanent creases

Removing Wrinkles After Washing

If curtains come out wrinkled, the handheld steam cleaner is the easiest solution. Hang the curtains and steam from top to bottom — the steam relaxes the fabric fibers and wrinkles fall out within minutes. Much faster and gentler than ironing.

Washing Specific Curtain Types

Sheer and Voile Curtains

Machine wash on delicate with cold water. Use a mesh laundry bag. Air dry by rehanging while damp — sheers dry quickly and wrinkles fall out naturally.

Linen Curtains

Machine wash on gentle with cold water. Linen shrinks in hot water. Rehang while damp to minimize wrinkles. Expect some natural wrinkling — this is characteristic of linen.

Velvet Curtains

Hand wash only in cool water, or dry clean. Never wring. Hang to dry and steam gently to restore the pile. Never iron velvet directly.

Blackout Curtains

Machine wash on gentle with cold water. The blackout coating can crack if washed in hot water or tumble dried on high heat. Air dry or tumble dry on low.

How Often Should You Wash Curtains?

• Every 3–6 months: Standard living areas
• Every 1–3 months: Kitchen curtains (grease and cooking odors)
• Every 6–12 months: Bedroom curtains in low-traffic rooms
• More frequently: Households with pets, allergies, or smokers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wash curtains with hooks still attached?

It's best to remove hooks before washing — they can snag the fabric or scratch the washing machine drum. If the hooks are difficult to remove, place the curtains in a mesh laundry bag to protect both the curtains and the machine.

My curtains shrank after washing — what happened?

Shrinkage is almost always caused by hot water or high heat drying. Always wash curtains in cold water on a gentle cycle and air dry or use low heat. If curtains have already shrunk slightly, rehang while damp and gently stretch them back into shape.

How do I get rid of curtain wrinkles without ironing?

Rehang curtains while still slightly damp — the weight pulls out most wrinkles as they dry. For remaining wrinkles, use a handheld steam cleaner. Hold 3–4 inches from the fabric and move slowly downward. Wrinkles disappear within seconds.