Is it bad to use a washing machine or vacuum cleaner to clean curtains? [Cleaning techniques that anyone can do]

Even if you clean the room frequently, there is still dust in the air, and it is common for dust to stick to the curtains before you know it. In addition, the curtain is also a place where food odors and outdoor dirt get stuck.

However, there are many people who do not know the correct way to clean the curtains. In this article, we will introduce how to clean the curtains and the tips for cleaning the curtains.

Causes of Dirty Curtains

Even if you are handling the curtains with clean hands, they will get dirty before you know it. Let's find out the main reasons why curtains get dirty.

Hand stains

When opening and closing curtains, you usually open and close them by touching them with your bare hands. Even if you think your hands are clean, oils such as sebum, fingerprints, and hand cream are attached to your hands.

Therefore, by opening and closing the curtains every day, dirt from hands accumulates on the curtains, which is the reason why the curtains get dirty.

Dust/Pollen Adhesion

Whether the windows are open or closed, dust is floating in the air and before you know it, it is adhering to the curtains.

Also, even if you open the window and change the air, pollen, exhaust gas, dust, PM2.5, etc. will adhere to the curtain from the outside. It is.

Oil stains and cigarette tar

Depending on your lifestyle and behavior, the curtains may be susceptible to odors and stains.

For example, if you smoke, tar will cause odors and stains, and if you cook tempura, grilled meat, or other dishes that tend to smell of oil, your curtains will get dirty easily. In our daily life, there are many reasons why curtains get dirty.

Condensation and mildew

If the window glass is prone to condensation, the curtains will absorb moisture and become damp. If you leave it as it is without ventilation, mold may occur before you know it.

If mold grows on the curtains, it will be difficult to remove, so be careful.

Cleaning your curtains on a daily basis

If you want your curtains to be as clean as possible, clean them on a regular basis. By cleaning frequently, you can prevent dirt from getting worse.

Remove dust with a brush or duster

The recommended daily cleaning method for curtains is to use a brush, duster, or disposable handy mop to remove dust. By doing it as a daily routine, you can prevent dirt such as dust and pollen from accumulating.

Vacuum

When dust starts to show up, use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the entire curtain. However, if the suction power is too strong, the curtain may tear, so please set it to a weak value. Also, depending on the material, vacuuming may damage the fabric, so be careful.

Vacuum can be left hanging. Start vacuuming from top to bottom. You can remove dust efficiently by attaching a brush-type attachment to your vacuum cleaner.

If the stain is conspicuous, cover it with a rag.

Even if the curtain becomes conspicuously dirty, it takes time and effort to wash it. By hanging it with a rag while it is hanging, it is easy to remove dirt that cannot be removed with a duster or vacuum cleaner.

Dilute a neutral detergent with water, soak it in a dish sponge, and wrap it in a tightly wrung cloth. The rag is hung from the top to the bottom of the curtain. If the curtains are very dirty, wipe them with a rag after vacuuming.

Ventilate

If you use a humidifier or an air conditioner, condensation may form on the windows before you know it. Also, when you cook or smoke in the room, the smell often sticks to the curtains.

By ventilating the room, you can reduce odors and stains on the curtains and prevent condensation from becoming moldy. Although it cannot be completely removed, it is a recommended method for dealing with stains on curtains.

How to Wash Curtains Correctly

Even if you clean your curtains on a daily basis, they will accumulate dirt that cannot be removed after a long period of use. If your curtains are made of washable material, wash them in the washing machine to remove stains.

Remove the hook

First, remove it from the curtain rail. The removed curtains also have hooks, but they are easily broken when washed together, so please remove them.

Once the hooks are removed, fold the curtain along the folds and place it in the laundry net.

Wash in the washing machine

Put the curtains in the laundry net into the washing machine and start washing. Curtains are a delicate material, so please select a gentle washing course such as the "fashionable course" or "hand wash course".

If you set the dehydration time too long, it may cause wrinkles, so let's set the dehydration time to 30 seconds as a guideline.

Bleach if mold develops

If mold has formed on the curtain due to condensation, it is often not possible to remove it by washing. Check the washing instructions on the curtain tag and bleach the material if it can be bleached.

Introducing a simple bleaching procedure.

In the case of stubborn mold, chlorine bleach is easier to remove, but it may also discolor or damage the fabric. Check the washing label to see if you can use chlorine bleach.

It is important to wash the curtains in a way that is suitable for the material so that washing and bleaching will not damage the curtains.

* Cabinet Office Minister's Secretariat Government Public Relations Office "It's the season for changing clothes. Are you washing properly?"

Precautions for cleaning curtains

There are some points to keep in mind when cleaning curtains. Remember to keep your curtains clean without damaging them.

Change the strength of the vacuum cleaner depending on the material

Luxury curtains such as made-to-order curtains are often made with particular attention to fabrics and materials. There are also curtains with weak fabrics such as lace curtains. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner as it may damage the fabric of the curtain. Also, wiping with a rag may cause stains.

If the fabric is weak, change the strength of the vacuum cleaner or ask a professional cleaning company to clean it properly.

Don't forget to remove the dust from the curtain rail

Daily cleaning tends to focus on dirt on the surface of the curtain, but dust also accumulates on the curtain. In particular, the top of the curtain rail tends to collect dust, so be sure to remove it regularly and keep it clean.

Check if the material is washable

Depending on the material of the curtain, it may not be possible to wash it at home. Also, even if you can wash it, the optimum temperature and whether it can be bleached will differ depending on the material, so be sure to check the washing instructions.

Check carefully how the material of the curtains you are using should be washed at home before washing.

Short dehydration

Curtains are basically made of a delicate material, so if you dehydrate it for a long time, it will wrinkle. Keep dehydration short, about 30 seconds.

* Cabinet Office Minister's Secretariat Government Public Relations Office "It's the season for changing clothes. Are you washing properly?"

Keep your curtains clean by cleaning them frequently

Curtains get dirty without you even knowing it. Various odors and stains such as dust, pollen, oil stains, and cigarette odors adhere to it, and regular cleaning is essential to keep it clean.

For routine cleaning of curtains, it is efficient to remove dirt adhering to the surface by dusting or vacuuming. However, some curtains are made of delicate materials, so be careful about the strength of the vacuum cleaner.

Remove stubborn stains by washing or bleaching. However, some curtains are made of materials that cannot be washed, so check before washing.

In order to keep the whole room clean, clean the curtains frequently and keep them clean.