Curtains are an integral part of a home’s interior design and add to its aesthetic appeal. However, these fixtures serve a far greater purpose than making your windows and doors look fancy. Curtains are necessary to cover these openings, prevent contaminants from entering your home, and keep it safe from peeping toms. You must clean curtains routinely because most of us overlook them during regular house cleaning.
Hence, it isn’t surprising that curtains become dusty and matted. Dirty curtains are a cause for concern for many reasons. They can aggravate asthma, allergic rhinitis, skin infections and sick building syndrome because they can harbour allergens, dust, smoke, invisible pests etc. Moreover, many renters cannot claim a full bond refund because the curtains, pelmets and drapes are dirty on the inspection day.
You can hire professionals for an end of lease clean in Melbourne. But
knowing how to clean curtains yourself is crucial to maintain their appearance and hygiene all year round. Sanitising the fixtures often will keep your home’s indoor air good and prevent household members from falling sick repeatedly. There are multiple ways you can sanitise and refresh curtains in your home.
Thus, here is your complete cleaning guide outlining the best curtain cleaning methods, tips for sanitising pelmets/drapes & don’ts of curtain cleaning.
Machine Wash Curtains
Machine washing is one of the easiest ways to sanitise most curtains because they are washable unless their label specifies only professional dry cleaning. To know the precise instructions for washing, read the label to use the right temperature and products.
However, if there is no label, identify the fabric and wash it using warm water below 40 ℃, a mild detergent & fabric softer. Also, set the wash cycle setting to gentle to avoid damage. Spin-dry the curtains and let them dry completely by handing them outside to prevent creasing.
Vacuum Curtains Every Week
Home curtains gather dust, dander, pollen, and other dry contaminants excessively because they cover the windows and doors that facilitate ventilation.
Therefore, ensure to vacuum curtains every week to prevent the accumulation of allergens, dust particles, and physical pollutants. Use a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters to ensure your home’s indoor air quality remains clean.
Also, keep the brush head, crevice, and flat brush tool handy to vacuum the curtains without hassle. While vacuuming, move top to bottom, which is a
general house cleaning rule professionals use while end of lease cleaning in Melbourne to get great results and save time.
Try the Low Moisture Curtain Cleaning Method
Washing curtains is time-consuming and necessary once or twice a year. Therefore, you must know the right method for hand cleaning these fixtures with minimal time investment. Low moisture curtain cleaning method can help you keep the fixtures sanitary, smelling good and fresh all year round. Here’s how you can do it.
Mix 5 litres of water in a bucket with one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.
Dip a microfiber cloth glove or mitt in the solution and wring it well.
Keep the glove/mitt damp enough to pick up dust but not wet the curtains.
Wipe the curtains from top to bottom with the mitt.
Repeat until all the curtains are wiped and smell fresh.
DIY Dry Clean Carbon Deposits on Curtains
Due to pollution, cooking smoke and vapours in homes, curtain areas gather carbon deposits, especially the ones that are hard to reach like the folds, curtain rings, etc. To dry clean curtains like a pro:
Mix one part rubbing alcohol in 5 parts of water.
Add one part of dishwashing liquid if the curtains are heavily soiled.
Spray the solution on the curtains and wipe with a microfiber glove/mitt.
Don’t let the solution stay on the curtains for more than 30-40 seconds.
Keep windows and doors open while dry cleaning curtains to air dry the fixtures simultaneously.
DIY Clean Fabric Pelmets & Drapes
If your home has tall curtains with fabric pelmets and drapes, sanitise them routinely with a hand-held vacuum. You can also use a soft-bristled flat cleaning brush to dust the fixtures effectively and efficiently before vacuuming to get better results.
Afterwards, wipe the pelmets and drapes with a microfiber cloth damp with rubbing alcohol and water solution. Ensure no moisture is in the folds and crevices because mould can set in and create a greater problem. Pelmets and drapes can get extremely dirty and make you lose your bond money, as they are among the
things in rental property you can forget to clean.
Don’ts of Curtain Cleaning
Want to get excellent results while cleaning carpets for an end of lease clean in Melbourne? Avoid the following mistakes.
Never dust curtains after vacuuming because it is counterproductive.
Don’t dust curtains by whipping them from bottom to top holding the entire fabric. It will spread contaminants everywhere & cause the dust to settle back on the curtains.
Only use a new cleaner after spot-testing it. Professionals performing end of lease clean in Melbourne spot test to avoid damaging fixtures & so should you.
Take professional help for steam cleaning curtains because this cleaning method requires expertise.
Endnote
Cleaning curtains should be a part of your weekly
house cleaning schedule. It will help keep your home’s indoor air fresh and increase the shelf life of the fixtures. What’s more, clean curtains always add to the appeal of your house. Thus, use this guide to clean your curtains using different methods.
