How often to wash curtains: tips for housewives

We often don't pay much attention to curtains when we're cleaning or doing laundry. Meanwhile, they collect dust and can worsen the air quality in your home.

But how often do you need to wash curtains to keep them hygienically clean? OBOZ.UA asked for the opinion of household experts.

Why it is important to wash curtains

Curtains are not only for aesthetics and do not just give us a feeling of comfortable privacy – they also filter dust particles and odors from the air. This means that if you don't take care of them, they can not only accumulate excessive dirt but also harbor dust mites. These microscopic creatures can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, so you need to get rid of them in time.

How often do you need to wash curtains

Studies show that a significant number of people wash their curtains once or twice a year as part of a general cleaning to celebrate the change of season. But in fact, organizations such as the American Cleaning Institute recommend doing it at least four times a year.

Experts call the optimal care algorithm the following:

• vacuuming – once every 1-2 weeks;
• shaking out or spraying with upholstery cleaner – once a month;
• washing – once every 3 months.

If someone smokes in your home, the curtains should be washed monthly. The chemicals contained in both cigarette smoke and vapor from vapes are heavily deposited on textiles. At best, this results in an unpleasant odor. At worst, the curtains themselves begin to emit these chemicals. By the way, such substances can damage the fabric from which the curtains are made.

How to wash curtains correctly

First of all, pay attention to the material they are made of. Tapestry, velvet, or silk should be dry-cleaned immediately. For other types of textiles, read the recommendations for choosing detergents and appropriate modes. In some cases, curtains may need to be washed by hand.

Follow all the instructions on the label. In any case, do not spin the curtains in the machine at high speeds. This can deform or even damage them.

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