How to Steam Clean Curtains?

Because they are marketed as the ultimate tool for cleaning clothing, it may be easy to forget about your garment steamer when dreaming up the perfect way to clean your curtains. However, as you’re about to find out, such a steamer is easily your best choice when it comes to getting your curtains as clean as possible in the shortest amount of time. Let’s take a look at the best way to clean your curtains through the use of a garment steamer.

DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF HEAT NECESSARY FOR THE JOB

Before going any further, it’s important to understand just what type of fabric it is you’ll be working with and how this determines the means by which you should undertake the job of cleaning it. Simply put, thicker fabrics can handle a larger amount of of heat, while thinner and more feeble fabrics will require that you use a lower temperature. Because curtains aren’t as reliant on cotton as today’s clothing is, you’ll really want to take a look at your curtains’ tags to see what they’re made out of. If you’re dealing with a thin silk, for example, you need to ensure your steamer isn’t too hot to tackle the job at hand. When it doubt, give the manufacturer a call and see just what types of fabric your steamer can handle and how to use your steamer on said fabrics.

THE PROCESS

After determining that your steamer comes with a heat setting which is compatible with your curtains’ fabric, getting the job done is a piece of cake. By following the below instructions, you’ll have yourself a clean set of curtains in no time.

  1. Don’t move your curtains.Taking your curtains down certainly can’t hurt, though it will offer nothing of value. An equally effective and more convenient option is to simply clean them where they currently stand.
  2. Fill up your steamer’s water tank, select the appropriate heat setting (if applicable) and wait for it to heat up entirely. After doing so, you’re ready to begin steaming your curtains.
  3. Pull the trigger on your steamer, opening the way for steam to spout from the head, and begin applying it to your curtains. Your best best is to start and the top and slowly (over the course of five seconds at the very least) work your way to the bottom. With each new stroke, move your way over to another area of the curtain in a horizontal fashion until each square inch of the curtain has been hit with steam.
  4. Stand on the other side of the curtain and repeat the process in its entirety, ensuring both sides of the curtain have been treated.
  5. While the above steps should have completed the job in its entirety, you may repeat them again if the curtain is still not clean. If this is the case, consider using a higher heat setting in the future.

TIPS

Lastly, keep the below tips in mind to make sure things run as smoothly as possible.

  1. Don’t press on the curtains. If you feel the head of your steamer bring up on a window, you’re pushing much harder than need be.
  2. Wait until the steamer has completely heated up before beginning to work on the curtains, as a partially-heated steamer will likely do a poor job, having you go over the curtains again anyways.

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