Blackout curtains were recently considered an innovative novelty, but very quickly gained popularity.
Their feature is complete light-tightness, guaranteeing comfort for sleep and complete isolation from sunlight.
Like any textile, blackouts need regular cleaning and washing. Is it possible and how to wash blackout curtains in a washing machine and by hand? Instructions and recommendations from specialists will help you cope with this task.
What kind of fabric is it and what is it made from?
A special feature of blackout fabric is its ability to completely isolate a room from natural light. Polyester fibers are used for production. Density is achieved through satin weave and three-layer structure.
The inner layer is created from a black thread that absorbs light rays. External ones are a decorative surface on which an ornament or design is applied.
Additionally, the fabric is treated with special compounds that protect against dust and fire. The texture can be smooth or convex if the front side has a jacquard weave of threads.
Due to its 100% light-tightness, blackout is used mainly to make curtains. They are most suitable for a bedroom or a room where a home theater is located.
You can use this type of textile to make bedspreads, upholstery for upholstered furniture, and use it for room decoration.
Advantages of blackout:
- has good soundproofing characteristics;
- provides protection against the penetration of cold air;
- does not fade when exposed to sunlight;
- does not ignite when properly processed;
- does not fade, maintaining color saturation during washing;
- does not shrink and retains its shape after washing.
Blackout fabric has many advantages.
The popularity of the fabric is also explained by its good wear resistance. An important advantage is its hypoallergenic properties. It is easy to use, as it practically does not wrinkle. Blackout does not stretch, so curtains made from this textile look prestigious and extremely neat.
Features of blackout material
This is a modern color filter. The fabric is made from polyester fiber using single or double satin weaving. It does not let the sun's rays through at all. Shades the room 100%. Therefore, it is well suited for a bedroom or living room. For rooms where bright light is not needed all day. Loved by those who like to sleep during the day.
The birthplace of matter is Finland. The creators have developed a special structure that completely retains light, cold, and sound. Products made from such material come in different colors and decorative features. The following features can be highlighted:
- Durability;
- Wrinkle resistance;
- Thermal insulation;
- Soundproofing;
- No allergenic components.
Rules for washing products
Since blackout has a protective impregnation against dust, curtains made from this material can be washed no more than once every six months.
Before choosing a washing method, it is important to understand what fibers were used in the production of the fabric.
If the composition does not contain a metallic coating, machine washable. Otherwise, be careful and use only the manual method. This will prevent damage to the structure of the multilayer fabric.
After removing the curtains intended for washing, shake them out to remove as much dust as possible. You can vacuum both surfaces using a special nozzle equipped with soft bristles and turn on the gentle mode.
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The hooks and rings are removed and soaked separately in slightly warmed water, dissolving washing powder in it - a tablespoon per 1.5 liters of liquid. They are then washed with clean water and laid out on a towel to dry.
In order to wash curtains efficiently, it is necessary to exclude proximity to other products during this procedure. This will avoid damage to the fibers and the appearance of puffs.
It is advisable to pre-test the selected detergent if it is used for this type of textile for the first time. Dissolve a little in warm water and distribute from the inside out over a small area.
After five minutes, wash away the soap marks with a damp sponge and dry the fabric. If there is no sign of color distortion, it can be used.
Preparatory work
If you decide to wash blackout curtains, you must first perform some steps.
How to shoot?
Before washing, it is advisable to vacuum the curtains in a vertical position (directly on the window) on both sides.
Then you need to remove the curtain and drapes from the cornice, and separate all the fasteners and eyelets (if any), since they also need to be washed. It is recommended to use soapy water to clean the clamps. They should be left in this solution for an hour and a half, and then wiped. This will remove all accumulated dirt from the products. After this, the parts are rinsed under running water and thoroughly wiped dry.
Tip: wash the window, window sill and cornice on which the washed curtains will hang in advance. This place should be clean so that a fresh product does not immediately become dirty with dust.
Which detergent should you choose?
It is not advisable to use powders to wash blackout fabrics. They can have an abrasive effect on the fabric coating and damage its structure. Therefore, give preference to liquid detergents, which are more delicate.
If you focus on the composition of light-proof curtain fabric, then it is based on polyester. Therefore, gels for washing synthetics are suitable. You can also use liquid products for wool and silk, as they are intended for delicate materials.
When washing by hand, you can even use ordinary laundry soap, but more often for soaking, dissolving its shavings in warm water.
Important: before using any laundry preparation for the first time, you need to try its effect on an area of the curtain that is invisible.
What should you never do?
It is not allowed to use solvent-based stain removers, for example, acetone, gasoline and others.
The use of bleaches and any preparations based on them is prohibited, as they harm the fabric and can cause irreparable damage to your curtains.
It is unacceptable to load materials of different densities into the washing drum at the same time. For example, organza and thick curtains. They require different washing programs.
The curtains cannot be pressed too hard manually due to the possibility of deformation, even though the structure of curtains of this type is restored automatically. It is possible to turn on the spin mode in the machine at low speeds.
It is better to dry the products in a vertical position over the bathtub, and when the water has drained, hang them on the ledge. But it is not recommended to throw fabrics over ropes, lay them out on a dryer, or use clothespins. Also, you should not hang them in the sun after washing.
Wash by hand
Washing methods and possible temperatures are indicated on the label, which must be studied when purchasing curtains made from the amazing blackout material.
Blackout wash by hand
Hand washing is necessary for metallized spraying used for decorating surfaces.
Sequencing:
- Since curtains are fairly voluminous types of textile products, water is drawn into the bathtub, a little more than half of its volume. The temperature does not exceed 40˚С.
- Add detergent and mix thoroughly until completely dissolved.
- The curtains are completely immersed and left to soak for two hours.
- Then, with careful movements, the fabric is squeezed, lifted and lowered, avoiding strong friction, twisting and squeezing.
Open the drain hole to remove the soap solution. It is more convenient to rinse curtains using a shower. You can't squeeze them out.
How to wash tulle correctly so that it becomes white?
White cotton or linen fabric can be bleached using ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.
- Add a tablespoon of peroxide and the same amount of ammonia to a ten-liter container of hot water (approximately 65 degrees).
- Stir and soak the curtains in the solution.
- After an hour, wash and dry.
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Washing in a washing machine
Curtains without a metallized coating and a layer of acrylic foam tolerate machine washing well.
Sequencing:
- Load the curtains into the drum.
- Set the temperature to 40˚C (higher heating can lead to deformation of the fabric).
- It is advisable to disable the spin mode, if the machine has such a feature. Otherwise, select the lowest speed.
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Rinsing twice is recommended. This will avoid the appearance of whitish streaks, indicating incomplete removal of the detergent.
Washing blackout curtains in a washing machine
Rating of floor steamers
Among popular models, users rated the best floor steamers.
Runzel PRO-300 TurboSteam
Thanks to its high power (2250 W), the device is suitable for steaming all types of fabrics. With its help, ironing is carried out in vertical and horizontal directions.
A large number of replaceable attachments expands the range of use of this steamer.
Advantages of the device:
- high power;
- sustainability;
- a large number of attachments;
- steam supply adjustment.
The downside is that the device has a short cord.
Philips GC514 40 EasyTouch Plus
The device's power of 1.6 kW is enough to iron any curtains. The peculiarity of this model is that it can be filled with tap water. The operating process simplifies the ability to regulate the steam supply, and anti-scale protection helps extend the life of the device.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| beautiful view | unstable |
| quiet operation | The existing clothes hanger is fragile |
| ease of operation and maintenance | |
| presence of mittens |
Galaxy GL6206
Thanks to the power of 1.8 kW, the water in the tank is heated in just 35 seconds. The tank volume is 2.3 liters, which ensures continuous operation for 65 minutes. The device is small in size, so it is comfortable to work with and easy to store.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| 8 steam modes | short cord |
| small sizes | no mittens |
| affordable price | no replaceable nozzles |
| steam supply adjustment |
Kitfort KT-915
The model recently appeared on the market, but quickly gained popularity. The power of the device is 2 kW, so it is designed for all types of fabrics. The presence of a protective glove and a convenient hanger makes using the device easier. The tank capacity is enough for 45 minutes of continuous operation.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| wheels for easy movement | short cord |
| long hose | heating handle |
| transparent tank | |
| disinfection and odor removal |
Grand Master GM-S205 Professional
This is an industrial model, so it has high reliability and power. To simplify the horizontal ironing process, the set includes an ironing board. The water in the tank heats up in 45 seconds, it is enough for 2 hours of continuous operation.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| volumetric water tank | big sizes |
| powerful and convenient hanger | short hose |
Detergents
Since blackout is a type of textile that requires delicate handling, you need to be careful when choosing products when washing.
Varieties with aggressive additives and the inclusion of abrasive particles are excluded. It is recommended to select options from a range of liquid and gel formulations. They dissolve more easily, allow you to wash delicate fabrics without damage or streaks, and rinse well.
Be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations. If the blackout is dyed, then the products are taken from a line intended for colored types of fabric without bleaching components.
Taking into account the composition, use gel-like products recommended for synthetics:
- Care & Refresh preserves color saturation, leaves no streaks, and softens the texture of textiles.
- BiMAX Color has a refined light aroma, does not deform delicate fibers, and enhances the richness of shades.
- Ariel does not cause damage or color distortion, and maintains the integrity of the texture of thin and synthetic fabrics.
- Amway SA8 Delicate effectively removes dirt at low temperatures, does not deform synthetic textiles, retains color, and has a light, pleasant aroma.
Liquid laundry detergent
An important advantage of the gel is its low consumption, which compensates for the rather high cost, low foam formation, and high-quality removal of contaminants.
Bleaching things
Blackout curtains may need bleaching if their outer layers are light and plain. Avoid the use of strong chlorine bleaches.
Only gentle products are used. You can use Laska gel from a line of compositions aimed at restoring 3D white tone.
BiMAX soft gel with a concentrated consistency demonstrates a good effect. It removes yellowness from snow-white surfaces, softens water, and removes various stains.
Does not deform fibers, returns the snow-white tone of Ariel “Mountain Spring”. This gel preserves the integrity of the fibers and removes even old dirt and grease marks.
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Amway SA8 Liquid works well even in cool water. Curtains acquire freshness, a light aroma, and clean surfaces.
Gel BiMAX
Wash curtains with bleaching soft gel in a gentle cycle. The water temperature does not exceed 40˚С.
Errors
If you lack experience in ironing large items such as curtains, mistakes can be made. The most common ones include the following:
| Error | What can it lead to? | How to avoid? |
| Incorrect temperature setting on the iron. |
Steaming fabrics for which this method of straightening is prohibited.
If the temperature is insufficient, the curtain fabric will not straighten out, but will remain wrinkled. If the temperature is set higher than recommended, the material may become deformed, lose its shape, etc. The product label contains all the necessary information. It is necessary to study it before you start ironing. Ironing directly on the front side of the curtain. Unsightly prints and stains may appear on the front side. It is advisable to iron through additional fabric or from the inside. Using colored fabric as an auxiliary additional fabric. The fabric may fade, ruining the curtains. As an additional fabric through which ironing is carried out, it is necessary to use a non-fading material, preferably cotton. When ironing, the presence of decorative elements on the curtain is not taken into account. Decorative elements can be deformed, ruining the curtain fabric and the soleplate of the iron. The decor on the curtains cannot be ironed with front side without auxiliary fabric.Drying
Rinsed curtains do not twist when wrung out. They are lifted from the water, pressed lightly with the palms in several places and placed on clamping hooks above the bath.
This is an important point, since wet curtains cannot be thrown onto ropes to avoid creases. The panels should not touch. There is no need to dry them completely in the bathroom.
When the moisture stops dripping, hang the curtains, carefully straightening them, on the window, which should be washed first.
How to iron curtains without removing them from the curtain rod
Sometimes situations arise that you need to straighten the curtain on the window right now and not a second later. It is unknown what causes such a catastrophic rush, but there is one way that allows you to smooth out window curtains in a short time.
For this purpose, the well-known vinegar is used. Prepare a solution: vinegar, water and any fabric softener. The amount of ingredients should be the same. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it evenly over all dented areas.
After drying, the mixture leaves no traces or stains, but the curtains themselves will immediately take on a completely different appearance.
Ironing
Properly washed without twisting and dried without throwing over a rope, blackout curtains practically do not require ironing.
Blackout curtains align well under their own weight
After being attached to the cornice while wet, they become flat as they dry.
Individual dents, folds, and creases can be smoothed out using a steam generator without removing the curtains from the curtain rod. If an iron is used, set the temperature in the range from 60 to 80˚C. Iron through a gauze cloth.
Ironing long curtains
Curtains are usually long. Ironing them is not very convenient, so you need to follow certain rules.
The ironing board is placed as close to the window as possible, opposite the windowsill. The curtain is ironed from the top, gradually approaching the middle. The area ironed to the middle is hung on the cornice. Continue ironing to the very bottom.
Instead of hanging it on a cornice, you can use a round stick, evenly wrapping the ironed area around it. The surface of the stick must be perfectly smooth to prevent snags from forming.
Care
Although blackout is a wear-resistant type of textile, curtains made from this material require good care.
They should be vacuumed monthly, using a gentle vacuum setting and using a special attachment. Thanks to this simple technique, washing will be done less often, which increases the durability of the curtains.
Blackout curtains with amazing decorative and light-proof characteristics become an excellent solution when decorating a bedroom or living room window.
They retain their prestigious external decor for a long time, do not stretch and, if necessary, can be easily washed, provided that the recommendations for this procedure are followed.
Lambrequin: the most complex element
Lambrequin is an elegant decorative drapery that is attached to the top of the curtain composition .
For the most part, this decoration of a window opening is made from the same fabric as the curtain. The shape of the lambrequin can be very different, most often with a large number of folds.
Some lambrequins cannot be washed; they are cleaned by steaming or sent to dry cleaning.
The complex shape of the drapery is almost impossible to straighten with an iron . Steaming comes to the rescue.
