Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500217
06/24/03

Cleaning Sheer Curtains


Note: When selecting sheer curtain fabrics, crease
resistant fibers or finishes will look best after
washing.

1. Remove from windows, only the number of curtains you
can launder at one time. Handle gently so as not to
create wrinkles or creases unnecessarily. With a pencil
or ball-point pen, make a very light dot on inside of
heading pleat where hook is inserted so you will know
where to insert the hook after laundering, so all will be
of uniform placement. (The heading fabric may be damp
when hooks are replaced. Fabric may be weaker when damp.
Prompt replacement of hooks means less opportunity to
wrinkle fabrics.)

2. Fill washing machine with cool to lukewarm water.
Add a non-precipitating water conditioner and dissolve it
in water. (Of particular help if sheer fabrics are
excessively soiled.)

3. Add curtains to washing machine water. Never overload.
Plan to use about a half-load in full-load washer of
water. Press curtains down into water. Turn washer on
gentle for about 2 minutes. Allow to soak about 5
minutes. Move washer dial to 'rinse'. Let water
containing loose dust drain away. (Very delicate curtains
can be put in a net-mesh laundry bag for washing.)

4. Reset washer dial to refill with cool or lukewarm
water. Dissolve detergent in pan of warm water before
adding to washer full of water and curtains. This
eliminates lumps of detergent sticking to fabric.

5. Run washer about 2 to 3 minutes on 'gentle'. Turn
dial to 'drain'. Turn dial to 'rinse'. Do not leave
washing machine to run cycle by itself for fear curtains
might tangle and tear.

6. Be sure last rinse is of cold water.

7. There will be less wrinkles if fabric softener is used
in last rinse--but be sure softener is diluted in several
quarts of water before adding to washer.

8. Remove curtains from washer. Place sheer curtains in
drier with 2 or 3 small dry hand towels. Turn dryer to
'cool air' or 'permanent press' cycle for 2 to 3
minutes. The dry towels will absorb water droplets
clinging to curtains, rather than drying the fabric.
Remove from dryer (still damp) and spread flat on floor,
or sofa, table, etc., while you fasten curtain hooks in
one curtain. Using a stepladder place hooks in place on
the rod, preferably stretched or closed. Finger-press
hems, untwisting corner weights, or beebee string in
lower hem. Proceed to place hooks in next curtain.
Allow to dry completely hanging at windows. If hems need
ironing, move ironing board in front of window and iron
hems after curtains are hung.

9. For rod-pocket sheers that slip over a curtain rod,
put a piece of scotch tape over the ends of the rods
first to keep any rough edges from snagging the curtains.

10. Fiberglass curtains should never be washed in washer,
or dried in dryer as glass fragments break off. Do not
use chlorine bleach. Soak in lukewarm mild suds in large
tub. Wear rubber gloves to gently swish around. Do not
twist or wring. Drain suds and rinse in clear water. Hang
to air dry. Rinse tub thoroughly to remove all glass
fibers. Handle gently.

This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus.

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