How To Wash String Curtains

Now that your string curtains are installed, you will also need to maintain them and wash them to keep them looking good.

It may seem a daunting task, as surely washing them will result in a knotted, tangled mess? The answer is to simply take them down, and have them dried cleaned. However this can be costly, and it is also possible to wash them yourself.

There are two separate distinct ways of washing your string curtains. You can either use a washing machine, or a wash basin, both have advantages and disadvantages.

Washing String Curtains In A Wash Basin

Fill the basin with warm water, and add a gentle detergent. Allow them to soak for about 20 minutes, then add a little more of the detergent and very gently and carefully hand wash them. Once you have done this, rinse them a few times, until all of the detergent is completely gone, and only clear water remains when you hand wash them. When rinsing, it is vital that you treat the curtains gently, paying particular attention not to squeeze the water out of them too hard, as doing this can easily damage their overall shape and appearance.

Once the rinsing has finished, use this gentle squeezing to get out most of the water, then hang them up somewhere to allow them to dry. I would hang them up in the bathroom or somewhere they are unlikely to get contaminated by any smells or dirt. I would avoid outside, as they can tend to get dusty, particular if your string curtains are lightly coloured. Be sure to hang them straight, as this is the shape that they will maintain. If you hang them any other way, you may find that when they have dried, the shape is extremely distorted. Once they have dried, they will keep whatever shape they have dried in. If you hung them up straight, they will now be ready to put them back wherever you got them for. I would recommend doing this every couple of months at least, as this will keep them looking fresh.

This is a very risk free way of washing your string curtains, and as long as you treat them carefully when washing them, and hang them up straight to dry, you will not damage them or reduce their appearance in any way.

Washing String Curtains In A Washing Machine

The other way to wash them yourself, is to use a washing machine. It is highly recommended that you use a washing bag to put the curtains in prior to placing them in the washing machine. This will prevent the nightmarish scenario of them getting tangled with other items of clothing. If you are washing them with other items of laundry, do ensure that they are all of matching colour and type, so that you do not risk them getting stained or contaminated in any way.

Once they have been washed, follow the previous instructions with regards to drying. Ensure that each string is hung up straight, so that it will retain this shape when dried. Be sure to remove any knots that may have formed, and hang them somewhere clean and dry. Once dried, you can re hang them wherever they were in the first place.

If you spent a lot of money on your string curtains, then it is advisable to get them dry cleaned as this will be the most gentle way to keep them looking clean. However if they are less valuable, there is no reason why you cannot wash them by hand or in a washing machine.

The most important thing to remember is to treat them with care when washing, and hang them to dry in the shape that you want them to remain. If you follow these guidelines, you should have absolutely no problem at all.