How to wash tulle in a washing machine

Housewives used to wash delicate lace curtains by hand, not trusting activator washing machines, which could ruin the lightweight fabric with their harsh mechanics and asynchronous cycles. Modern washing machines are much gentler and more reliable, so the risk of unpleasant surprises is reduced to zero. However, there is one caveat: it's important to wash tulle correctly in the washing machine and use the appropriate detergents. These and other important details will be discussed below.

Description of the washing machine process

There are no specific rules for machine washing tulle curtains, but there are step-by-step instructions. No special manipulations are required – on the contrary, only the most delicate handling. We operate according to a proven scheme.

1. Take the tulle and shake it out thoroughly in the fresh air. Remember that curtains accumulate dust and dirt.
2. Carefully fold and place in the washing machine. Crumpled fabric will cause severe creases. Ideally, place the fabrics in a special protective bag, especially when placing muslin, lace, trim, muslin, voile, or organza with fine embroidery in the drum.

Important! It is recommended to check that the hooks on the tulle are securely fastened to prevent them from coming loose and falling into the bin.

3. Select a delicate or hand wash cycle, or a silk or wool program. The general settings are the same: 30 degrees Celsius, minimum spin, and a generous rinse. The drum will rotate softly and smoothly, and the large amount of water will protect the fabric from damage. Finding the right button is easy: on ARDO washing machines, look for an icon depicting a feather or a hand with a basin; on Ariston, a flower; on Bosch, a dress with a bow tie; on Indesit, a top; on Zanussi, a flower with a hand in a basin; on Candy, a feather; and on Electrolux, a flower, a butterfly, thread, or a hand in a basin. To the owners Beko, LG and Samsung is even simpler – everything is labeled right on the control panel.
4. Add half the detergent. Remember that using too much powder or gel on mesh or lace fabrics will cause excessive foaming. It's best to calculate the manufacturer's recommended dosage in advance and, if using half the load, halve it.
5. Enable the extra rinse option to thoroughly remove detergent from the curtains, otherwise the fabric will turn yellow prematurely. To do this, select the "Double Rinse" or "AquaPlus" button.
6. Once the cycle is complete, carefully remove the tulle, wait for the water to drain, and hang it on any hanger without wringing. Wringing is strictly prohibited; only a gentle wringing is acceptable for large loads.

These are the general rules for washing lightweight fabrics in a washing machine. However, there are a few more nuances worth knowing to achieve perfect results. These include choosing the right detergent, drying, ironing, and bleaching the tulle.

How to dry and can I iron?

Tulle shouldn't be tumble-dried or spun. Simply shake the fabric and hang it on a hanger in the bathroom. In most cases, you can immediately return it to the window – hanging curtains will dry within a few hours without any further manipulation.

On the contrary, crumpled fabrics need to be twisted: ironing such tulle will stretch and ruin it.

There's no need to get out the iron—the tulle will smooth itself out under its own weight. If creases and folds remain, iron on the lowest setting using cotton or gauze. A steamer is ideal, as it prevents the lace from coming into direct contact with the heated surface of the iron.

We strictly adhere to the rules

It's a misconception that tulle doesn't require special care and can withstand a standard washing machine cycle. This is absolutely not true – delicate materials won't withstand high temperatures. In water above 40°C or if exposed to an iron set to 3, the drapery will irreversibly yellow, crumple, or burn. Therefore, it's important to choose only hand-washing cycles as close to the original as possible, avoid spin-drying, and avoid ironing.

The above rules apply to all types of tulle, including inexpensive nylon mesh curtains.

There's no need to over-clean the fabric. All stains are removed quickly and easily, so pre-wash, soaking, and harsh stain removers are unnecessary. The main thing is not to “neglect” their condition and wash them regularly, at least once every 3-4 months.If there are stubborn stains, residents have dust allergies, or curtains get dirty too quickly from kitchen grease or the street outside, it's enough to wash them every three weeks.

What powder should I use?

One of the most important factors is choosing the right detergent for washing tulle in a machine. The list of approved detergents is quite extensive. An overview of the most popular options will help you make the right choice:

Attention! We recommend choosing the safest products from trusted brands.

• Specialized products designed for delicate and lacy fabrics. They are effective due to their gentle bleaching and light starching properties. They are sold through specialized household stores, but are expensive and limited in selection. Therefore, they are only purchased for expensive curtains.
• Delicate laundry detergent. A semi-specialized product suitable for all delicate fabrics. It's gentle on fabrics, rinses easily, and is designed for cold water washing.
• Baby powders and gels. Another non-aggressive product that will help remove yellowing from tulle and other stains without causing damage or damage.
• Universal products. If you need to wash inexpensive mesh curtains, you don't need to buy expensive gels and conditioners.

The main thing is to pay attention to the intended use of the detergent: for colored, dark, or white fabrics. It's a good idea to check the ingredients for harsh surfactants, phosphates, and zeolites. Don't forget to monitor the dosage.

Making tulle snow-white again

Even with the most gentle washing, tulle will lose its whiteness over time, turning yellow or gray. Bleaching can solve this problem, and this procedure can be performed in a washing machine. To combat yellowing or graying, it's important to choose the right bleaching agent. The main thing is not to use chlorine-containing compounds - this element will completely ruin the delicate material.We'd better pay attention to:

1. Oxygen bleaches. Their main advantage is powerful yet gentle whitening, maintaining a crisp, white finish for a long time. Among their advantages is their versatility, allowing them to wash both white and colored curtains, as well as the ability to remove discoloration in cold water. However, they have a significant drawback: their high cost.
2. Optical brighteners. These products lighten tulle using special particles that settle on the material, making it appear whiter. They're only suitable for non-colored linens, as the color-washing properties are quite strong. However, don't expect lasting or long-lasting results—you'll need to repeat the procedure at least once a month.

Select the appropriate detergent and add it to the detergent dispenser at the required dosage. The amount depends on the degree of soiling—for heavily yellowed or grayed fabrics, the dosage increases. If you have an old curtain, take a different approach: to achieve a sparkling white, you'll need to soak it or use the prewash button.

For those wary of using industrial bleaches, there's a safer alternative: homemade remedies. The simplest method is to add two tablespoons of table salt to the washing machine's detergent dispenser and run a pre-wash cycle. To speed up the bleaching process, it's recommended to add an equal amount of detergent or gel.

To avoid guessing at what temperature to wash and what detergent to use, refer to the markings on the tulle and read the washing machine instructions. Then you can achieve a snow-white effect without risks or unpleasant consequences.

   

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