How often should you wash curtains to keep dust, dander and other allergens at bay? Cleaning experts reveal the magic formula

Whether you opt for a pattern, pop of color, or a plain variant, curtains are crucial when it comes to blocking light out and keeping warmth in. But, with daily use comes dust and dirt – so how often should you wash curtains?

How frequently you need to do this will vary depending on whether you live in a home with pets, have children, or suffer with allergies, but it's likely, experts say, you're probably not doing it enough.

Here, laundry pros share their expertise and laundry tips on exactly how often to tackle this task so you can care for your curtains and keep them looking their best, whilst reducing allergens.

How often should you wash curtains?

According to Aminah Vieira from InspireClean, an award-winning and women-owned cleaning service in Southern Ontario, it's important to thoroughly wash and care for curtains and drapes every 6-12 months, to maintain a fresh, healthy home environment.

'However, curtains in high-traffic areas or homes with pets, smokers, or allergy sufferers may benefit from cleaning more frequently to prevent dust and allergen buildup,' she adds, usually needing a clean approximately every three months.

As well as the health benefits this will offer your space, as it will improve the air quality in your home even when living in a city, this regular cleaning will also extend the life of your window treatment ideas. 'It keeps them looking vibrant, preventing that dull, dusty appearance than can make even the most stylish rooms look neglected,' Aminah explains.

If you're not sure how to clean curtains, you can opt to do so in the washing machine, provided you check any relevant laundry symbols first, and use a gentle detergent, such as the Woolite Delicates Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent available at Walmart, particularly for delicate fabrics like silk.

You can also give them a regular once over with your best handheld vacuum, to remove dust buildup, or clean them with a steam cleaner, to sanitize them without removing and washing fully.

But, as Bryan Griffin, founder at Patriot Maids Cleaning Services says, if you notice a spill or smudge, it's best to clean it right away, in between deep cleans. 'Quick spot-cleaning can prevent stains from setting in, which means less hassle when you do the full wash,' he explains. For this reason, generally speaking, Alicia Sokolowski, laundry expert and co-CEO of AspenClean, recommends checking your curtains each month, and cleaning visible stains right away.

This is also one of the golden rules of stain removal when it comes to avoiding permanent, set stains. For pesky spots and stains, Bryan recommends using the number one bestselling FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover available at Amazon, as 'it's powerful yet gentle, and you don't need to rinse it out.'

All prices correct at time of publication.

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Meet our experts

Bryan Griffin

Bryan launched Patriot Maids in 2017, which has since grown to serve over 2,000 homes across 12 major cities annually, offering advice on how to, and how often to, clean everything around the home.

Alicia Sokolowski

Alicia set up AspenClean with her husband, with a mission to debunk the concept that you need harsh chemicals to clean well. Seven years later, Alicia has created the first detergent to be certified by the EWG, and continues to release all-natural formulas to ensure healthy cleaning and minimal environmental impact.

FAQs

What happens if you don't wash curtains?

It's not like anything drastic will happen if you don't wash your curtains, but doing so may make your room look (and feel) dull and uninviting, with discoloration and degradation affecting the fabrics. If you have pets, dust and dander will build up and can aggravate allergies, respiratory and skin conditions too. Therefore, to make a house look more inviting and decrease allergens in the home with cleaning, take time to regularly spot-clean and wash your curtains.

Can I wash curtains with hooks in the washing machine?

While curtains are one of the things you can clean in the washing machine, it's important to remove any hardware, such as hooks or rings, before doing so, these can damage your washing machine and snag on the curtains.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of other things you aren't washing enough around the home. From your blankets to your bathmats, these unassuming items could be harvesting harmful bacteria, so regular cleaning is crucial for a happy and healthy home.

Learn about the dirty things professional cleaners always spot in people's homes.