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No doubts, curtains and drapes help to transform the outlook  of your home. But when not cared for appropriately, they quickly become an eyesore. Dust, dirt, and even pet hairs often settle on curtains, furniture, and other items in your home. And when these particles accumulate over time, they can cause health issues, especially for those with allergies.

While professional dry cleaning is the safest way to get your drape and curtains back in top shape, you can also DIY if you have the time, and depending on the fabric type. It is equally important to have ideas on the best types of curtains to buy for your home. 

In this short guide, you'll learn the different methods you can use to clean your drapes, curtains, and window panels.

Here's a list of what what you’ll need:

Materials

• Mild Detergent for machine or hand-washing
• Clean Water

Tools/ Equipment

• Large sink, tub, or basin
• Washing machine
• Pressing cloth
• Iron
• Vacuum with a dust brush attachment

How to Clean Cotton Curtains

1. Pre-treat stains by spot cleaning them before washing the curtains.
2. Fill a large basin or sink with cold water, add mild laundry detergent, and mix gently to create suds.
3. Immerse the curtain or drape it in soapy water and give it a gentle but thorough wash. If you’re using a washing machine, ensure to give enough room for the curtains to prevent them from getting crushed.
4. Dry the curtain on low heat in a machine dryer or air dry them in an open space.
5. Using the cotton setting, iron the wrong side of the curtain when it is still slightly damp to get rid of wrinkles.

How to Clean Silk Curtains

For silk curtains and drapes that are washable by hand, use lukewarm water and mild detergent.

1. Fill a large basin or tub with cool to lukewarm water, add a fair amount of mild laundry detergent, and wash gently with your hands. Gently squeeze the curtain back and forth to remove all stains and dirt.
2. Rinse the washed curtain in lukewarm water, swishing the silk around to release the soap. Do this until all the soap is released.
3. Squeeze gently to get rid of excess water. Then place the silk on a thick bath towel, roll the towel gently, and squeeze out any remaining water.
4. Air-dry the silk curtain indoors. Keep the fabric away from heat and direct sunlight.
5. Using the silk setting, iron the wrong side of the fabric when it is still slightly damp to straighten it. Ensure to place a pressing cloth over the silk when ironing to protect it from scorching.

How to Clean Synthetic Curtains

We recommend that synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester should be cleaned by professional service because they can easily be degraded by conventional laundry detergents. Blackout curtains made from synthetic fabric, however, are easy to maintain.

1. Separate light-colored synthetic curtains from dark ones and wash them separately.
2. Use cold water, a delicate cycle, and mild detergent.
3. Machine-dry your synthetic curtains on low to medium heat.     

How Often Should You Clean Your Curtains?

Realistically, curtains and drapes can be washed by hand, machine, or professional service once every three to six months. However, for people with allergies, it can be done more frequently to alleviate symptoms.

How Do You Maintain Curtains?

Keep your curtains in top shape always with these easy steps.

• Weekly – Every week, give your curtain a good shake to dislodge dust and other debris that may have settled on it. This will help to reduce dust accumulation on the curtain before the next washing
• Monthly – Use the dust brush attachment rather than the upholstery attachment on the vacuum to clean your curtains from top to bottom. You may cover the end with nylon if the fabric is delicate. If you’re unable to vacuum your curtain, you can also run it through a dryer on the "fluff or no heat" setting for 5 minutes.

How Do You Clean Panel Curtains?

The best way to clean your panel curtain is to wash it on a gentle cycle, in a cool to lukewarm water with mild laundry detergent. You can wash them by hand, via a washing machine, or take them to a professional dry cleaner.

What Is the Most Common Window Treatment?

Roller blinds and roman shades are arguably the two most common window treatments in 2022. Both are versatile, easy to use, affordable, provide privacy, and most importantly, stylish and attractive. They’re good for covering different window sizes and they come in a variety of colors and designs, so you can find the perfect one for your window.

How Do You Clean Window Panels?

There's nothing more pleasing that a sparkling clean window panel. Here's how to clean your window panels

For curtains and the type of fabric, refer to any of the methods mentioned earlier in this article.

For roller blinds

• Use a microfiber duster or vacuum with a dust brush attachment to remove dust from the slats.
• Make a soapy solution with warm water and mild dishwashing detergent.
• Clean the slat surface with the soapy solution using a soft cloth or sponge.
• Allow to air dry.

There you go! Cleaning your drapes regularly keeps domestic health issues away, helps your unit last longer, and makes your home appear bright and beautiful at all times. While we recommend professional cleaning for your units, these DIY methods are also very effective.

And if you are looking to replace your units, shop any of our stain-resistant, top-quality window panels today.

Curtains are one of those accessories that barely get the praise they deserve for the impressive role they play in home decoration. It's incredible how much transformation a single piece of fabric – a curtain – can bring to a room. Either they’re setting the tone for the room or complementing other decorative pieces - curtains are limitless – they simply make everything click.

Due to the sheer variety of options available, picking a curtain with the ideal color, prints, texture, and quality for your living room can be quite confusing. For something so crucial to your home decoration, it is important to get it right on the first trial, because a single mistake can ruin everything. In this short guide, we'll be discussing curtains and how to pick the perfect one for your living room. 

How to Choose Curtains for Your Living Room

For your living room curtain, always have in mind that functionality comes first. Except they’re strictly for decoration, the primary purpose of every curtain is to provide privacy and control the amount of light coming into the room. So here are a few things to consider before choosing a drape for your home:

Fabric is Key for Privacy

One of the main considerations for choosing a curtain fabric is privacy. Pretty sure you don't want neighbors peeping through the window, do you? Do you want a blackout curtain or one that let some natural light through? Once you've figured this out, you're halfway through choosing the perfect curtain.

Curtain fabrics provide varying degrees of opacity ranging from sheer, which block out direct sunlight but still let plenty of natural light through, to opaque, which provides more privacy with little natural light.

Color & Pattern are Equally Important

The color of your drape can either ruin or enhance your living room decoration. Ideally, the curtain colors should either match the walls and furniture or contrast them to create a focus. Another thing about the color of your curtain is that it can determine the amount of natural light that comes into the living room. curtains with lighter colors would let more light through, while those with darker shades will prevent light from coming in.

On Length & Width

Window length and width may vary, but to ensure they all have a cohesive look, the curtain size, length, and width must be uniform. Measure the window’s length from the top of the window to the tip of the floor. Then, measure the width and add about six inches to both sides to ensure the curtains covers the window frame when closed or sit outside it when opened.

On Ease of Maintenance

Curtains, like any other home accessories, need to be washed and given proper maintenance at intervals to ensure their longevity. Ideally, curtains should be washed every 3-6 months, but some fabrics are easier to maintain than others. That's not all, some fabrics can retain their shape, color, and texture better than others after washing.

5 Window Curtain Ideas

So after choosing fabric for your living room, here are five trendy window curtain ideas to transform your interior from shabby-looking to the envy of visitors.

1. Sheer White Curtains

For rooms lacking windows, choose sheer white curtains for maximum illumination. Let them stretch from the floor up to the ceiling, and they will keep the room from feeling damp and lonely.

2. Curtains as Decorative Backdrop

You can use a hero pattern curtain to introduce print, color, texture, and style to your living room. This can be used to make a design statement with this – such that it works as a backdrop to the rest of the theme and create a harmonious look.

3. Floor to Ceiling

Floor-to-ceiling works well not only by creating height illusions but also by keeping the place clean, simple, and aesthetically pleasing. This is best served by using the curtain to complement the wall colors to create a cohesive look.

4. The Fun Trim

If you don't want to go overboard with colors in a neutral space but still want a little pop of excitement, choose curtains with printed trim and a neutral base to soften things up. 

5. Short Curtains

They may not be in vogue anymore, but hanging your curtain at the midpoint of the window will create a visually intriguing look in your living room. This will not only ensure privacy, but it will also help to keep things simple and stylish.

Window Curtains for Bedroom

Like in the sitting room, window curtains can make a major design statement in the bedroom. Not only do they provide privacy from neighbors, but they also add warmth and make your room look stylish and elegant. 

What Are Window Panel Curtain?

These curtain panels are four-sided fabrics, helmed at the bottom, and used to frame a window. They’re made of double layers of fabrics and placed over a cotton rod which may extend to the floor or windowsill. 

Conclusion

Curtains, as we now know are not only capable of beautifying your space, but can also ensure privacy and filter the amount of sunlight coming into your living room. Hence, the need to get it right or risk ruining your home decor. While you should choose according to your need and preference, make sure to consider the factors we just shared. Thereafter, go ahead to choose from our list of affordable top quality window panels from different areas of your home.