Velvet curtains will always be in style, because they’re made from velvet, which is the most luxurious of all pile fabrics out there.
One more thing to love about velvet, it doesn’t require extraordinary efforts to keep it looking plush.
Velvet curtains can certainly be washed if the care label says so, otherwise, they’re best dry cleaned or taken to an upholstery cleaner. Velvet curtains should be washed in a delicate cycle using cold water and mild detergent. Make sure to steer clear of heavy duty products like stain removers or bleach which can damage the fabric.
Below you’ll learn more on how to properly take care of your velvet curtains so they remain rich and elegant all the time!
What kind of fabric makes up your velvet?
Before you begin the talk of washing your velvet curtains, you have to know the fibers that make up the velvet. That should give you a headstart if you’re at least the type that is concerned with how your fabric turns out after washing.
Velvet is made using a variety of fibers, from natural to synthetic. You can have velvet made up of 100% cotton fibers, polyester, and a blend of synthetic fibers like viscose, rayon and polyester.
Each of these fibers have different ways they’re best washed. Therefore, velvet, as a fabric, will always be varied in the way that it is washed. Ensure to always check the care label of the curtain and see what fibers your velvet curtains are made of to give you an idea of how best to clean it at home.
Now is also the time to check for special finishing and fittings, and take note of them.
Check the care label
With velvet curtains, always check the care tag or label to learn how best to wash the curtain in order to preserve its finishing, structure, and also protect its construction.
If you cannot find the care label of the curtain, or the tag that came with it, find a way to link up with the manufacturer (most likely online) and ask them directly, or go through the manufacturers website to find out if the care and maintenance instructions are there.
Cold water and a delicate cycle is your friend
For those that cannot find their care label, cold water wash and delicate cycle is your best bet.
Coldwater is naturally gentle on fabrics (though you can use warm water on some polyester velvets) and thus results in a wash cycle that doesn’t remove colors, destroy finishings or even shrink fibers on fabrics. When you opt for a delicate cycle, you also get a low agitation and low spin cycle cleaning that helps protect fabric fibers and dyes.
Prior to washing, always put the curtains in a mesh bag to prevent the naps from getting crushed. When naps get crushed, you get areas of light and dark shades on the fabric which can make it look somewhat funny.
You also want to use a mild detergent and nothing harsh or extra which can end up stripping the finishing on some velvet curtains and make them look faded.
Soak and rinse
If you’re washing by hand, rely more on soaking than agitation to release soil. Soak velvet curtains in a solution of mild detergent and water and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Avoid using heavy duty products like stain removers or bleach that can cause damage to the fabric. Gently toss the soaked velvet in the water to release soiling and rinse in a new fresh water.
Dry the curtain in a shaded area away from sunlight to prevent color fading.
Treat stains with dish soap and water
If you have stains on your velvet curtains, you can treat them with a solution of mild dish soap and water plus rubbing alcohol. Add no more than ¼ tablespoons of dish soap to 500 ml of water. Then add two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol.
Make the solution and put it in a spray bottle. Spray it on a clean cloth and use the cloth to dab against the stain until it lifts off from the fabric and onto the cloth.
Avoid tumble drying
It’s best to air dry a velvet curtain as opposed to drying it using a dryer machine. If you must tumble dry, make sure the fabric care label doesn’t warn against that, and make sure to use the lowest heat settings as that, sometimes, is beneficial because it helps fluff up the velvet material as well as make it softer.
Use steamer to release wrinkles and lift fibers
As your curtains are rarely subjected to pressure, the naps on them would not suffer “falling”. Because of this, unevenness in the overall appearance of your velvet won’t really be that much of a problem with curtains. But still, if you do happen to have that, or wrinkles, you can always revive back the fibers by steaming them using a steamer or placing a moist cloth on the curtain overnight.
Ironing
If you must iron velvet curtains, use the reverse side and ensure that the temperature of the iron is low. Using a hot temperature can crush the piles on a velvet curtain and therefore take away its shininess and fluffiness and also give it a lasting impression.
Final Thoughts
Velvet curtains can be cleaned in the washing machine. However, you should read the care label first to make sure cleaning it in the washing machine is a good idea.
In the washer, subject velvet to only delicate conditions. Wash them using the delicate cycle and use cold water, unless otherwise stated on the fabric care label – since some manufacturers recommend using warm water to clean their curtains.
