Curtains made of many individual strings are quite difficult to care for due to their structure. Machine washing string curtains on a hand or delicate cycle can be challenging, preventing them from becoming deformed and tangled. Let's figure out whether washing them in a washing machine is a good option, or whether hand washing is the best option.
Preparing the item for the procedure
Thread curtains need to be washed about 2-3 times a year. If possible, it's best to take them to a dry cleaner—professionals can easily refresh them. If you don't want to spend a fortune, you can clean muslin yourself at home.
It's important to properly prepare thread curtains for washing. Follow these steps:
If the item will be machine-washed: divide the thread curtain into 2-3 sections at the curtain rod, braiding each section. The braiding should not be too tight or too loose. Secure the braids at the bottom with ribbon. If the curtain is not very wide, one braid is sufficient.
When hand washing: Also, on the curtain rod, divide the muslin into 3-5 equal parts, securing each resulting "tail" with a ribbon at the top. Then, tie each bundle with elastic bands along its length, every 15-20 cm.
Thread curtains with beads can only be washed by hand.
The glass beads cause the muslin to become tangled, ruining its attractive appearance. When making ribbons for tying braids or ponytails, choose a light-colored fabric that won't bleed onto the curtain material.
Necessary washing parameters
It is recommended to wash thread curtains in warm water, no hotter than 30-40°C. High-temperature treatments can damage the synthetic fabric and cause deformation.
Experts recommend using liquid detergents for delicate fabrics. It's best to avoid using washing powder, as its granules don't fully dissolve in warm water and become stuck in the fibers. This makes it much more difficult to rinse the curtain thoroughly.
Let's use an automatic machine
For information on the preferred washing method for curtains, refer to the product label. However, if they were purchased a long time ago and the label is unavailable, you'll have to make your own decision. Plain thread curtains, without decoration in the form of beads or rhinestones, can be washed in the machine. There are a few rules to follow to ensure the curtain doesn't become deformed or tangled after automatic processing. The procedure is as follows:
braid the muslin into pigtails (as recommended earlier);
Place the properly prepared curtain in a special laundry bag. A simple pillowcase can be used instead of the mesh bag—the main thing is to tie it tightly to prevent the curtain from falling into the drum.
Set the machine to a delicate or hand wash cycle. Make sure the water temperature does not exceed 40°C;
activate the "No spin" option;
pour the gel and conditioner into the powder dispenser (it is preferable that the conditioner has an antistatic effect);
start the cycle.
Once the machine is finished, all that's left to do is remove the bag, take the curtain out, and hang it over the bathtub. After the water has drained, you can reattach the muslin to the curtain rod.
Traditional method of cleaning
Thread curtains with beads or other embellishments are not allowed in the washing machine. These curtains must be washed by hand. The procedure is as follows:
fill the basin with water at a temperature of 30-40°C;
Pour the cleaning agent into the container and mix the soap solution well;
soak the prepared curtain (tied with ribbons) in water for 15-20 minutes;
add some hot water to the basin;
Wash the curtain using massaging movements.
Next, it's time to rinse. To do this, lay the muslin out in the bathtub and rinse each strand with the shower head. It's best to rinse the curtain one last time in a basin, adding a little anti-static fabric softener to the water. Then, hang the curtain over the bathtub. Once the excess water has drained, you can attach it to the curtain rod.
Removing moisture from curtains
How to dry muslin correctly? It is very important to hang the thread curtains back on the curtain rod while still damp, without removing the strings. The "tails" or "braids" are unraveled when the curtain is attached to the drape. This allows the threads to stretch under their own weight, eliminating the need for smoothing.
You cannot dry the curtain in a tied state, otherwise the curtain will lose its shape.
If you're distracted after hanging the curtain on the rod and forget to unravel the muslin, try re-wetting the curtain and drying it again. The curtain should straighten out.
Proper care of your thread curtains will preserve their beauty for a long time. Washed, airy draperies will add a cozy and fresh feel to your interior.
We clean the curtain in place
It's recommended to vacuum thread curtains every 2-3 weeks. It's important to use a soft, upholstery attachment. Wrapping the brush in dry gauze will help prevent accidental damage.
It's important to use the vacuum cleaner on the lowest setting when cleaning curtains. Once the vacuum cleaner is ready, use the attachment on both the outside and inside of the curtains. This dry cleaning will help keep your curtains looking fresh for a long time without washing.
You can remove localized stains from rope curtains using a soapy solution. Here's how:
Fill a basin with 2 liters of warm water and add liquid soap;
stir the solution well until a foamy “head” forms;
dip a sponge into water and wring it out;
carefully clean the threads in the dirty area from top to bottom;
leave the curtain to dry.
This is a fairly simple way to deal with stains. There's no need to remove the muslin from the rod or braid it. However, this won't wash the rope curtain properly, so sometimes a full cleaning is necessary.
How to remove problematic stains?
String curtains are typically found on kitchen windows, so the muslin is prone to greasy marks, coffee stains, and soup stains. Folk remedies can help remove stubborn stains. For example, you can try cleaning the curtains:
Dishwashing liquid. This will be effective against grease stains. Remove the curtain from the rod, braid it, and immerse it in a container with a solution of a spoonful of dishwashing liquid and water. Soak the curtain for at least half an hour.
Rubbing alcohol. It also removes grease stains. It's effective against stains from dirty hands or food. Prepare an alcohol solution, saturate the curtain in the soiled area, and gently rub the threads. It's important not to stretch the muslin when cleaning, as this may cause it to become misshapen.
Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. Dissolve two tablespoons of each in two liters of warm water. Soak a sponge in the prepared solution and wipe the stains with it.
Salt solution. A completely safe method for removing grease stains from fabric. Add three tablespoons of salt to two liters of water and mix well. Soak the muslin, braided or woven into several bunches, in this solution for 1-2 hours. Then rinse the curtain thoroughly.
Vinegar. You can soak a dirty rope curtain in 5 liters of water with 100 ml of acetic acid added. After soaking the curtain for 15-20 minutes, wash, rinse, and hang it on the curtain rod.
It is prohibited to use aggressive agents such as gasoline, acetone, or turpentine to clean thread curtains.
Such products can damage delicate synthetic fabrics. When washing light-colored curtains, you can use bleaching gels.
Tactical techniques and nuances
When cleaning curtains with a folk remedy for the first time, it's best to test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric. If the substance damages the item, discontinue use. As mentioned above, do not wash thread curtains with beads, sequins, or glass beads in a washing machine. Avoid dry detergents, especially those with colored granules, as this may leave marks on the fabric.
Brightly colored rope curtains should not be cleaned with products containing bleach; instead, use products specifically designed for colored linens. When rinsing synthetic curtains, it is advisable to add an antistatic conditioner to the water.
When deciding to wash thread curtains, you need to take a number of nuances into account.
The water in which cotton and linen curtains are immersed should not be hotter than 30°C.
Be sure to braid the muslin or gather the threads into several bundles, otherwise the strands will get very tangled.
Do not wring out rope curtains.
Dry draperies naturally on a curtain rod. Do not place them on a radiator or dryer.
Once the curtains are washed and hung back on the rod, don't rush to remove all the ribbons at once. Instead, untangle each braid or strand one by one, carefully straightening the threads along their entire length. Always do this from top to bottom. For stubborn stains, you can use specialized household cleaning products. When using these products, strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Curtains made of many individual strings are quite difficult to care for due to their structure. Machine washing string curtains on a hand or delicate cycle can be challenging, preventing them from becoming deformed and tangled. Let's figure out whether washing them in a washing machine is a good option, or whether hand washing is the best option.
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