How to Wash Curtains

Curtain cleaning sounds simple until you’re staring at a tangled mess of fabric, dust, and maybe metal rings. Especially when your drapes are made of organic fabrics like cotton or linen, you want to give them the right dose of care to avoid shrinking. And that might look difficult at first glance.

But it’s not as much of a chore as it sounds.

The right way to wash curtains is to first check the label for care instructions. Machine wash in lukewarm or cold water, and avoid harsh drying. Yes, you can machine wash curtains, but you don’t want to heat dry as heat’s the main cause of wrinkles. Air dry instead.

Do that, and you’ll keep your curtains fresh without shrinking or damaging them.

Below, we break down how to wash curtains, including cotton ones, without shrinking them.

How to Wash Curtains in the Washing Machine

You can wash most curtains in a washing machine, as long as the fabric allows it and you use a gentle cycle with cold or lukewarm water and mild detergent. 30 degrees Celsius is ideal.

Before anything else, always check the care label. It tells you if the curtain is machine-washable or not, and the best way to clean it. Generally, I've noticed that most lightweight curtains like cotton and polyester handle machine washing well, but delicate fabrics like silk or heavily lined drapes do not.

But before you pop those new cotton drapes in the wash, know this. When washing naturally dyed curtains for the first time, you want to hand-wash them ideally OR machine wash in COLD water ONLY. Machine-washing can cause dyes to bleed and fade quickly, especially during the first couple of washes, so make sure to wash them separately so to not stain other items of clothing. After that, feel free to toss them in the drum and let the machine do its thing.

Here’s a step-by-step process to wash curtains in a washing machine

1. Shake the curtains outside to remove dust or vacuum them. This prevents dust from turning into muddy residue inside the washing machine.
2. Remove hooks, pins, and clip rings. These can damage both the fabric and your washing machine drum as they swirl loosely about.
3. Wash heavy drapes separately from light sheers, and wash like colors together to prevent dyes from mixing up.
4. Set your washing machine to a delicate or gentle cycle. Use cold water to avoid shrinkage.
5. Use a small amount of mild detergent.
6. Avoid overloading the machine with too many curtains at once. They need space to move and clean evenly.
7. Air dry immediately. This helps remove wrinkles naturally. Even if you tumble dry, make sure to hang the curtains while still damp.

How to Wash Curtains with Metal Rings

To wash curtains with metal rings, bring the rings together so that the top of the curtain forms a lump, cover that entire part with a laundry bag or thick piece of clothing, and tie it. Even as the curtains spin inside the washer, the rings never come in direct contact with the fabrics or machine. Easy peasy.

Wash your curtains with a mild detergent in cold water. Be sure to air-dry the curtains immediately. If the metal rings stay wet for long, they run the risk of rusting.

Now that might be a problem if you live in a less sunny climate and you're dealing with heavyweight drapes that take forever to dry. If the care label permits, tumble dry your curtains at a low setting, never with high heat, and take out the curtains while still moist. Air dry by hanging to prevent wrinkles from setting.

It's important that you take out your curtains from the wash and dry them immediately in the open air. You want to prevent musty smell and rust from the metal rings.

How to Wash Cotton Curtains Without Shrinking

To wash cotton curtains without shrinking, use cold water, avoid high heat, and air dry instead of using a dryer.

Cotton is breathable and easy to clean, and it’s a great fabric choice if you like eco-friendly curtains. But it’s also known for shrinking if exposed to heat. That’s why it wrinkles when washed in hot water or dried at high temperatures.

The good news is it's very simple to prevent your cotton curtains from shrinking when washing. The trick is as simple as avoiding heat. Air-dry your cotton curtains away from direct, intense sunlight. This will also help the vibrant colors last longer. You know how criminal the sun can be when in front of colors.

Here’s a step-by-step guide

1. Got stains? Use a mild stain remover before washing.
2. Wash cotton curtains in cold water to prevent shrinkage.
3. Use a mild detergent.
4. Select a delicate cycle. Less agitation means less stress on the fabric.
5. Heat is the main cause of cotton curtain shrinkage, so skip the dryer
6. Hang cotton curtains back on the rod while a little damp. Gravity helps keep them in shape.

Extra tip

If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and remove the curtains while slightly damp. But honestly, air drying works best.

How to Wash Cotton Curtains by Hand

When you want zero risk of shrinkage, hand washing is the safest way to clean your cotton curtains. It works especially well for lightweight fabrics or your first time washing any curtain with prints or natural dyes that you don’t want fading too quickly.

Add mild detergent to a basin of water and submerge the curtains. Let them sit for about 10 to 15 minutes so the dirt loosens on its own. Instead of scrubbing, gently move the fabric around with your hands. Cotton doesn’t need aggressive cleaning, and too much friction can wear it out faster.

Once the curtain looks clean, take out the soapy water and rinse with fresh cold water until there’s no residue left. Avoid wringing -- just press the fabric lightly or let the water drip out naturally. Air-dry cotton curtains and hang them back on the rod while still slightly damp. This helps them dry in shape and reduces wrinkles.

Might be slower but in my experience, this method keeps cotton curtains looking newer for much longer.

Our 100% cotton curtains are machine-washable. We do recommend though that you hand-wash them for the first couple of washes to preserve the vibrant natural dyes.

Common Curtain Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Curtain cleaning can go wrong quickly if you miss small details. These are the mistakes I see most often.

1. Using hot water

Hot water weakens fibers and causes shrinkage, especially with cotton.

2. Overloading the washing machine

Curtains need space. Otherwise, they come out wrinkled and not fully clean.

3. Skipping the label check

Not all curtains are machine washable. Some need dry cleaning.

4. Using too much detergent

This leaves residue and makes curtains stiff.

5. Drying in high heat

Heat is the fastest way to ruin curtain fabric.

6. Ignoring dust before washing

Washing dusty curtains turns dirt into muddy streaks.

How Often Should You Clean Curtains?

Wash curtains every 3 to 6 months for general cleaning. Every month if you live in a dusty area. More often if you have pets or allergies.

A quick vacuum every few weeks helps reduce the need for frequent washing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Curtain Cleaning

How do you wash curtains without ruining them?

Use a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent, and avoid overloading the machine. Air dry instead of using high heat to protect the fabric.

How do you remove wrinkles from curtains after washing?

The easiest way is to hang them while slightly damp. Gravity helps smooth out wrinkles naturally.

Can you machine-wash 100% cotton curtains?

Yes. Just use cold water and a gentle cycle to avoid shrinkage. For printed cotton curtains, it's safer to hand-wash for the first few washes.

How to wash heavy cotton curtains?

Use a large-capacity washing machine with a gentle cycle and cold water. Avoid overloading and air dry to prevent strain on the fabric.

Is it better to wash curtains in hot or cold water?

Cold water is safer for most curtains because it prevents shrinkage and color fading. Hot water should only be used if the care label specifically allows it.

Do cotton curtains shrink after washing?

Yes, cotton curtains can shrink if washed in hot water or dried with heat. Using cold water and air drying helps prevent this.