Curtains give windows and interiors a complete look, adding coziness to the room. They, of course, do not get dirty as quickly as tablecloths or bed linen, but they also need to be washed periodically.
Moreover, unlike sheets, curtains are often made of delicate fabrics and inappropriate washing can lead to their rapid wear. Constant exposure to light also makes them fragile, so they usually require gentler washing. Previously, our grandmothers washed them only by hand.
But today such sacrifices are not required if you know how to wash tulle in an automatic washing machine. This is exactly what we will discuss in this post: how to wash tulle in an automatic washing machine and what the temperature and mode for washing curtains should be.
Rules for washing curtains in an automatic machine
The first question that arises is how often should I wash curtains? If you do this too often, the fabric will wear out quickly. If it is too rare, then the accumulating dust will begin to imperceptibly impede the residents’ breathing, and the appearance of such window “decorations” will no longer be pleasing.
It is optimal to wash curtains three to four times a year. If the house has allergies or the windows overlook a busy highway, you will have to do this more often.
Regardless of whether you wash the tulle by hand or in a machine, before you start washing, prepare the curtains for this, trying to remove excess dust.
To do this, they are first shaken out in the fresh air, and then soaked for a while in clean, cool water. These two procedures remove some of the dirt from the curtains in the most gentle way.
How to wash tulle in an automatic washing machine, in what mode and with what means, depends on the quality of the fabric and the degree of contamination, but there is a general algorithm:
- Washing curtains in a washing machine requires delicateness. No high temperatures or intense exposure;
- It is important to place the curtains in the machine correctly, without creasing them. To do this, we do this by carefully folding them, or washing them in a special bag. This will help avoid unnecessary folds and creases later;
- When washing curtains, it is important not to allow any detergent residue to remain on the fabric at the end of the procedure. This causes the fabric to deteriorate when exposed to the sun. Therefore, it is better to use less rather than more detergent and rinse thoroughly.
How to starch fabric in a washing machine
First of all, curtains need to be starched so that their whiteness and shape last longer. Thus, the starched material maintains a neat appearance longer and does not wrinkle. This is all due to the fact that starch covers the material, forming a thin film, protecting it from contamination, preventing dust from entering the very structure of the material.
Starching gives the fabric elasticity, it wrinkles less and gets dirty
Starch also helps to bleach white tulle, giving it dazzling purity. Carefully pour in the finished paste during the rinsing stage. After washing your curtains in this solution, you will even hear a characteristic “crunching” sound - this indicates that the material has been completely saturated and has become more resistant to stains. Then you will be able to notice for yourself that the tulle retains its snow-white color longer, does not get dirty and almost does not wrinkle.
Preparation of paste
The first thing you need is to dissolve 2.5 g of starch in 1 liter of water. Two liters is enough to wash tulle. If your starch has turned a grayish color, you need to clean it: first dilute it in cold water, let it sit for 20 minutes, then drain the water. The top part of the starch also needs to be removed, since that is where all the debris is located.
It is necessary to completely dissolve the starch so that there are no lumps left
Then you need to add a little more water and strain the water through gauze. Next you need to boil the water. As it boils, gradually pour in the starch slurry, stirring slowly.
Now put the dishes on the fire and cook
The liquid should be brewed for about 5 minutes over low heat until the starch mass becomes completely transparent. The final consistency will resemble jelly/wallpaper paste.
You should get a translucent paste of uniform consistency.
Remove from the stove and let the contents of the pan cool. Before pouring directly into the washing machine, the solution must be diluted with water. At the end of washing, you need to take out the tulle, preferably without wringing it out, and hang it to dry in the fresh air. If this is not possible, hang it directly on the cornice until completely dry. While the material is hanging, the water will flow freely and the tulle will straighten out.
Types of curtains
When choosing a mode, one of the decisive parameters is at what temperature to wash the tulle. For most curtains, it is recommended to select a delicate washing mode, which involves a temperature no higher than 30, less often 40 degrees, smoother rotation of the drum, and abundant use of water.
Roller blinds
Many people wonder whether roller blinds can be washed, whether roller blinds can be cleaned, and how to properly remove roller blinds for washing. By following the rules, you can clean curtains with detergents created specifically for such curtains.
Roman curtains
In addition, many people ask about how to care for roller blinds and how to wash Roman blinds. Washing Roman blinds should be gentle.
Such curtains require careful, daily care. How to wash Roman blinds at home? They need to be soaked in a warm soapy solution without various additives. Such curtains cannot be bleached.
How to wash blackout curtains in a washing machine? What products can be used for such curtains. To wash curtains, you can use detergent for synthetic fabrics. In addition, you can use regular laundry soap to clean curtains.
Washing mode and water temperature
Sometimes, looking at the delicate fabric of a curtain, doubt arises: is it possible to wash tulle in a washing machine? Washing by hand allows us to control the impact on the fabric, and the automatic machine operates according to the programmed programs.
The normal mode assumes a temperature of 40 to 90 degrees, intensive spin. All this can really damage delicate tulle. But the machine gives us a choice of modes and it is important to set them correctly.
How to wash tulle in an automatic washing machine, at what temperature, at what number of revolutions, largely depends on what type of fabric it is.
This is what becomes decisive when we decide in what mode to wash our curtains.
If we are talking about curtains, then among them there are different materials, including natural cotton. But tulle is always a delicate, delicate fabric. And a mistake in choosing at what temperature to wash the tulle can cause damage.
If you are not pressed for washing time, you can use the pre-soak mode and use the additional rinse function.
Under normal conditions, it may turn out that the powder is not completely washed out of the fabric, which harms it.
If the apartment has curtains with embroidery, it is also better to wash them carefully, soaking them in a soapy solution, and after half an hour it is recommended to rinse them thoroughly in warm water. Curtains are best washed by hand.
If your machine has special modes for silk and wool, then you can use them.
They are also designed for particularly careful handling of things.
For particularly delicate curtains, use a cover to better protect them without affecting the quality of the wash. If you don’t have a special cover, an old pillowcase can replace it. In addition, you can find tips on how to wash roller blinds. For such curtains only dry cleaning is suitable. It is better to dry roller blinds in a special dryer in a horizontal position.
How to wash tulle - choice of product
How to properly wash tulle largely depends on the type of material from which the curtains are made. This circumstance also influences the choice of suitable cleaning products.
Bleaches
Heavily soiled tulle must be cleaned with bleach to be white. The following groups of detergents are suitable for curtains of this type:
- bleach “For curtains”;
- oxygen;
- optical.
The first German-made product is distinguished by the fact that it does not contain substances harmful to tulle: boron, phosphates, chlorine and formaldehyde. This product is recommended to be combined with washing gels, since the former enhances the effect of the latter.
Oxygen bleaches are suitable for removing the following types of stains:
- nicotine stains;
- dirt;
- gray coating.
Oxygen bleaches, which contain soda, fragrance, enzymes and other components, cannot be used for washing silk products and fabrics with dyes.
A group of optical brighteners helps to obtain white tulle. These products do not remove dirt from the material. The components included in optical brighteners (luminescent dyes) gradually accumulate in the curtains, due to which they acquire a bright white hue in the light. However, with frequent use of such products, the material becomes gray.
Frau Schmidt Super white tulle plus
This relatively affordable product (costs 150 rubles) is available in the form of tablets, which are placed directly into the drum of the washing machine. The product included:
- enzymes;
- oxygen bleaches;
- polycarboxylates;
- nonionic surfactants.
Attention: as in the case of oxygen bleaches, it is prohibited to use Super White Tulle Plus for washing materials with dyes.
One tablet is enough to clean three kilograms of things. This product is used to remove the smell of nicotine and restore its original whiteness.
Vanish Oxy
Vanish Oxi is used simultaneously with the powder. This cleaning agent is suitable for removing various types of dirt, including old ones. The cost of the stain remover varies from 160 to 400 rubles, depending on the volume of the bottle.
Despite the absence of chlorine in the composition, Vanish Oxi should not be used frequently for washing tulle.
Compared to other similar stain removers, this one is characterized by increased efficiency, as it works in cold water.
Sarma Active
Sarma Active is a powdered cleaning agent used for machine and hand washing. The cost of the product also depends on the volume of packaging. Prices for this cleaning product start at 60 rubles.
When using Sarma Active, there is no need to soak the curtains before washing.
This stain remover is recommended to be used simultaneously with conventional powders. Separately, Sarma Active is not able to remove stains.
Rules for spinning and drying
After the washing machine has finished washing the tulle and the program has entered the spin phase, the drum speed should not exceed 400 rpm, otherwise the material may be damaged.
If there is such an opportunity, then it is better to refuse spinning. Moreover, after extensive rinsing, the tulle retains quite a lot of moisture.
But one of the rules for washing and drying curtains warns that you cannot wring or twist them, otherwise wrinkles will appear on the fabric.
Carefully remove the washed curtains from the machine without squeezing them, straighten them and hang them. If you need to iron curtains, we do it only at a low temperature and preferably through gauze or other natural fabric.
Ironing methods for various materials
For ironing curtains, methods are used that correspond to the specifics of a particular fabric.
Ironing curtains is quite convenient on an ironing board, but this task can be completed faster if you have a sufficiently large and long table.
Organza
To iron organza curtains, you should follow the following rules:
- It will not be possible to quickly iron organza, since it is a very difficult material to iron;
- it is necessary to use the iron with an absolutely clean sole without mechanical damage;
- you need to use tissue paper, and iron only completely dry organza;
- The “steam” function should be completely eliminated: it leads to wave formation on the fabric, which cannot be eliminated.
For cotton and linen tulle you need to use the following rules:
- After washing, such fabric is not wrung out;
- the stretched wet tulle is hung on a baguette, so it will gradually smooth out without an iron;
- The iron irons slightly damp fabric well at a temperature of 100?;
- The curtain must be ironed from the inside out through gauze.
Artificial tulle does not straighten naturally; it is ironed as follows:
- at a temperature of 110-120 degrees in a slightly damp state;
- from the inside out with the obligatory use of damp gauze.
It is better to first test iron a small area of fabric to determine the optimal temperature.
Housewives often resort to ironing curtains hung on a curtain rod after washing. This procedure is easy to perform using a steam generator or steamer. This way you can save both effort and time.
How to bleach curtains
No matter how good our light-colored curtains are, over time they become gray due to dust and exposure to light, and they can look yellowed due to improper care. This means it’s time to bleach the tulle.
If we are talking about how to wash curtains made from ordinary cotton or linen fabric, then everything is simple. To make such fabric white, you can use any bleach, but with delicate tulle you have to be careful. Chlorine bleaches are contraindicated for them. How to bleach tulle at home in a washing machine?
detailed instructions
Young housewives will find simple tips useful: how to prepare tulle for washing, how to choose the right program on an automatic machine, how to wash it by hand.
How to prepare
Curtains need to be removed from the curtains. Fasten all the hooks and shake out the dust. Inspect the fabric. If there are stains on the surface, treat them with hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and laundry soap. A very dirty product, grayed with dust and soot, must be soaked. Add a little washing powder to the water.
Automatic wash
The curtains are placed in a special mesh bag designed for large items and sent to the machine. The bag has a clasp. It prevents the curtains from falling out, they have less contact with the walls of the drum, this preserves their appearance. Select a suitable program, possible options:
- Handwash.
- Silk.
- Curtains.
- Delicate wash.
The water heating degree is set automatically in accordance with the selected mode. The spin is always turned off, and low speeds are set for washing - up to 400 rpm.
Manual
The tulle is soaked in a soap solution for 2 hours. Add 2 tbsp. l. salt so that dirt is better released from the fibers. The cloudy, gray water is drained, clean water is poured in, and detergent is added. The curtains do not rub during washing, but smack. Rinse 2-3 times, do not twist. Allow the water to drain and dry flat.
Washing requirements for various tulles
So far we have given general rules on how to wash curtains. But we all understand that how to wash linen curtains is different from how to wash velvet curtains in a washing machine. The name tulle combines different materials that require different care.
Cotton
As often as we buy curtains, we don’t really pay attention to their composition. Meanwhile, there is pure cotton tulle, and there is some with the addition of artificial fibers, and they need to be washed a little differently. Pure cotton can be washed and ironed at a higher temperature, but with the addition of synthetics you need to select a delicate wash cycle.
Cotton tulle requires long soaking and longer washing time, since dust leaves it with great difficulty.
But it is easier to bleach, since you can freely use bleaches, and the question of how to wash off the dirt does not arise, since cotton fibers are quite strong.
However, the spin is only at minimum speed, the drying function is not used. Wet curtains are carefully ironed and hung. To make cotton curtains look better and last longer, it is recommended to starch them.
Viscose
Viscose tulle curtains are lighter in weight than cotton ones, have a silky sheen and look expensive.
They are easy to wash, but require certain care conditions to maintain their elegant appearance:
- Machine washable only on delicate cycle at low temperature;
- Place them in the machine only in a cover, otherwise they will lose their elegant appearance when washed;
- For this thin fabric, do not use products with lye. This destroys her;
- The spin and dry function is not used;
- Viscose curtains do not need to be dried in the bathroom first; they are hung directly from the machine on the curtain rod.
Synthetic polyester or nylon
Curtains made of polyester or nylon can be washed in a washing machine in the same way as viscose curtains. They are also easy to wash, the only thing is that they require plenty of rinsing. They also require more careful handling to prevent puffs, and are even more sensitive to the choice of household chemicals.
If you are deciding how to bleach nylon tulle at home, then carefully study and strictly follow the recommendations of the bleach manufacturer.
Silk
When you are planning to wash silk tulle in an automatic machine, we select both the mode and detergents designed specifically for silk. All the rules for delicate washing described above apply here, for these very light fabrics.
But in this case, no bleaches can be used for whitening. To make it white, a borax solution is added to the machine instead of powder.
Removing stains from tulle
Over time, unpleasant stains appear on the curtains. This often happens with tulle in the kitchen. You can get rid of traces of grease and dirt using modern stain removers or folk remedies.
Yellowness
Occurs on white curtains. Curtains will stay snow-white longer if you wash them regularly. A variety of bleaches will help renew yellowed tulle. Advanced bleaching detergents - oxygen and optical gels - have appeared on the market. Their cost is high.
Oxygen ones effectively lighten, they are used in the care of white or colored tulle with a pattern. They will impeccably cleanse dirt, remove dullness, and refresh the brightness of color. Optical gels work differently. The innovative particles included in the gel formula penetrate the fabric fibers, making them visually whiter. This type of bleach is only suitable for snow-white products.
Thrifty housewives, in order to eliminate yellowness and gray plaque on fabrics, use the old proven option at home - whiteness. Three measuring cups are poured into a container with warm water and the curtain is placed in the solution until completely immersed. Remove and rinse thoroughly in running cold water.
Having used whiteness once, you will have to use it regularly; another detergent is unlikely to cope.
Aspirin will help achieve the original whiteness of the tulle. Prepare a solution of eight aspirin tablets and seven liters of water, and leave the cloth overnight. Complete the washing process in the morning in the machine, rinse the curtain thoroughly.
Soot
In the kitchen, tulle quickly loses its original appearance. Soot particles quickly pollute it, making it difficult to wash the fabric quickly. It is recommended to soak the curtain for half a day in water with a small amount of washing gel before washing. Rub dirty areas with laundry soap. Rinse, put in the washing machine, select the “Hand Wash” function. Housewives recommend looking for stain removers that are used in laundries. Take it into account. Tulle curtains made of chiffon and nylon remove soot and soot with great difficulty.
Soot
Soot stains can be easily removed with turpentine; they should be wetted and rubbed with a sponge soaked in soapy water and soot. In case of severe contamination, take equal parts of turpentine and egg white, heat the mixture slightly, and spread it on the stain. Continue washing using the selected method. Experienced housewives claim that stains can be washed off better by hand than by machine.
How to wash tulle without ironing
We have already practically told you how to wash tulle so as not to iron it, but here we will summarize:
- We begin to take care that the tulle does not wrinkle already at the stage of placing it in the machine, doing this by carefully folding the curtains;
- After washing the tulle, no twisting. Intensive squeezing of tulle should also be avoided to avoid creases;
- Dry completely straightened, hanging vertically. Thanks to its own weight and gravity, the damp curtain will no longer need to be straightened and ironed.
Why is it so important to wash tulle in an automatic washing machine so that ironing is not required? Of course, this way we save time and effort, but that’s not the main thing. It is better to avoid ironing, as it causes the tulle to turn yellow.
Home whitening products
How to wash tulle so that it remains white?
There are a lot of store-bought products. They are all good and quite affordable. But there are times when there is absolutely no way to purchase the necessary chemicals. Let's say your curtains are in a rural house, where civilization is quite far away, or today you don't have a penny to spare, but tomorrow guests will come.
Anything can happen, so it never hurts to have in your arsenal a couple of time-tested recipes from improvised means. What substance is trending among grandmothers? Soda of course!
Wow, how they adore her! And they whiten her teeth, and clean the dishes, and scrub her face, and refresh her favorite curtains. To be fair, the result will not be as noticeable as from the use of special chemicals, but, in the absence of fish and cancer, fish, you understand. So…
To bleach tulle with soda, you need to soak it in a solution with the following proportion:
1 liter of water + 1 tablespoon of soda
You need to keep it for a long time, at least three to four hours, and preferably all night, then rinse thoroughly.
There is another wonderful remedy that greedy grandmothers use instead of blue, and this is common green. Yes, exactly the green stuff, don’t be surprised. It is used like this:
Drop 1-2 drops of this miracle remedy into a bowl of warm water, stir and immerse the fabric in it. The solution should be slightly greenish, and if you exceed the proportions, your tulle will become a cheerful emerald color, but not white. But if you do everything correctly, then a wonderful result awaits you. The curtains will indeed look snow-white.
Also, don't discount the bluing. Of course, you can’t call it a handy remedy, since, first of all, you still need to try to find this substance. But, if you have it on your farm, then be sure to use it, based on the instructions. And the general proportion for tinting with blue is such that it is exactly white:
0.5 teaspoon per 10 liters of water
All these recipes are good because they not only save money, but are also safe for allergy sufferers and very young children. And in our polluted world, this is a strong enough argument to pay attention to such methods.
How to remove stains from tulle
On curtains, although less often than on our other things, various stains may appear. Unlike roller blinds or blinds, regular curtains can be easily washed at home.
It is better to remove dirt from tulle in stages. First, treat the stained area with a suitable folk remedy or stain remover for delicate fabrics, and then wash it in the washing machine as usual.
To get rid of stains you can use:
- Starch. It is poured onto greasy stains and left for a while;
- Laundry soap. You can use it to wash away dirt manually or add shavings during washing;
- Hydrogen peroxide works well to remove many stains. They treat the stain with it and add the solution to the machine;
- A vinegar solution is used for the same purpose.
Proper care
In order for tulle to please its owners with its original appearance for as long as possible, you need to know all the intricacies of caring for them. Firstly, it is recommended to wash it every 2-3 months. Thus, regular cleaning of stains and other contaminants prevents the tulle from becoming deplorable. And it will be much easier for the housewife to get rid of a fresh stain than a dried and old one. And secondly, a room with fresh curtains will always look cleaner and more comfortable.
For tulle that hangs on the kitchen window, regular washing with powder is absolutely not suitable. Often, in addition to dust, it collects all the fumes that arise during cooking. This is especially true in cases where a special hood is not installed above the stove. If such curtains are not washed for about a year, they will not only turn yellow, but also become covered with a greasy coating, which can be felt even when touched by hand.
Unfortunately, such tulle is quite difficult to return to its original form. To restore a decent appearance, the owner will need to spend a lot of time and effort.
Washing tulle by hand
If you decide to wash tulle by hand, you are unlikely to encounter any special difficulties.
Unlike how to wash roller blinds, there is nothing fundamentally new in washing tulle:
- First, shake off the dust;
- Then soak the curtains in warm water with added salt;
- When washing, we also avoid excess foam and detergents. It is better to take powders for delicate items or for an automatic machine;
- Change the water several times when rinsing to completely remove detergents;
- We don’t twist the tulle, it’s better not even wring it out, but let the water drain.
Ironing
The curtain can only be ironed when wet, immediately after rinsing. It is laid out on a flat surface with the wrong side out and ironed.
Important! The temperature should not exceed 110*C. Before ironing, the temperature regime should be tested on a small area of tulle. If there are no traces left, then you can start ironing.
When washed correctly, tulle does not need additional ironing. In order for it to smooth out, simply hang it in its usual place, slightly damp.
Detergents
To clean roller blinds or blinds, a careful selection of cleaning products is required, while for tulle curtains you can use several types of household chemicals.
Washing products created specifically for tulle and other delicate curtains are especially effective. They not only wash and bleach, but also lightly starch the curtains, helping to give them a particularly fresh look.
They are quite expensive, and most importantly, they cannot always be found in the store.
Regular washing powders, selected according to the fabric and color of the curtains. It is important to maintain the dosage here. Usually for tulle it is taken almost half as much as usual. Excessive foaming and incomplete removal of products during the rinsing process damage the fabric.
- Shampoos for delicate fabrics and silk. They wash well at low temperatures and rinse well.
- Detergents for washing children's clothes. Hypoallergenic, they are especially gentle on the fabric and are easily removed from the fabric.
Choosing household chemicals
A wide range of products are available for washing tulle material. The detergent is selected based on certain characteristics of the fabric. Modern stores offer a variety of powders and gels. What to prefer and how to make the right choice?
Special products for tulle
They are especially effective as they remove all contaminants from the fibers of the mesh material. The bleaching effect and starching give the curtains an unparalleled look. Such compositions form little foam, so they can be used with confidence in automatic machines, as well as for the care of expensive fabrics. For better cleaning, use a powder enhancer.
Traditional powders
Selected depending on the color of the textile. For white fabrics, powders with a bleaching effect are needed, and for colored ones, compositions that preserve the tone of the dyed tulle material are needed.
Gels for delicate items
They are used to care for wool and other fine fabrics; they can also be used for washing synthetic tulle of various shades. Gentle gels cope with even the most severe stains in cool water. They are easily washed out without leaving streaks.
Products for children's things
They effectively remove stains from grease, soot and other substances, wash white tulle, and do not leave streaks. It is preferable to wash cotton and synthetic fabrics, as well as kitchen curtains.
Silk compositions
To wash expensive silk tulle, it is advisable to purchase a special balm. It protects the fiber structure and successfully copes with dirt.
Useful tips and secrets
Although an automatic washing machine does a good job of washing delicate curtains in modes for delicate items, it is still better to wash some, especially expensive veils or organza, by hand.
Here we mainly wrote about bleaching curtains, but there are also colored tulles. Here are a few secrets to preserving color:
- A bright blue or red color will help maintain the addition of baking soda when rinsing in the proportion of 2 teaspoons per 2 liters of water. For this purpose, you can also use a vinegar solution;
- Tea, in the solution of which the curtains are placed after washing, will help renew the color of tulle curtains in all shades of brown and beige.
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Solutions that can be used for soaking
Saline solution is classified as effective and affordable. But in addition to salt, other products available in every home can be used to prepare a working solution. For example, soda. Soda solution is prepared from 2 tbsp. l. sodium bicarbonate, 50 g of washing powder and 10 liters of warm water. The tulle should be placed in this solution for half an hour. Wash – hand or machine.
There is an opinion that soda ash (caustic) also copes well with the tasks. But it cannot be used on delicate fabrics. The only material that can withstand the effects of this substance is natural cotton or linen. Nowadays, such tulle is rare, so you should not experiment with caustic.
