Can You Wash Curtains in a Washing Machine?
Most cotton, polyester and linen-blend curtains can be machine washed, but always check the care label first. Heavy blackout curtains with a rubberised backing, anything labelled dry-clean only, and delicate sheers need special handling. Get the cycle and temperature right and you can refresh your curtains at home without shrinking or fading them.
What You Need
- Mild liquid detergent
- A large mesh laundry bag for sheers
- A vacuum cleaner or brush to remove loose dust
Step-by-Step
- Take down the curtains and remove all hooks, rings and metal weights.
- Vacuum or shake off loose dust outdoors — dry dust turns to mud in water.
- Sort by fabric and colour; wash sheers and delicates inside a mesh bag.
- Select a cold or lukewarm gentle cycle with a low spin speed.
- Use a small amount of liquid detergent and avoid overloading the drum.
- Remove the curtains as soon as the cycle ends to prevent creasing.
What NOT to Do
- Don’t use hot water — it shrinks cotton and linen and fades colours.
- Don’t machine wash blackout curtains with a coated backing.
- Don’t wring or twist them; this sets in deep creases.
- Don’t leave hooks attached — they snag and tear the fabric.
Drying Tips
Hang curtains back on the rod while slightly damp so their own weight pulls out wrinkles — often you can skip ironing entirely. If you do dry them flat or on a line, keep them out of harsh direct sun, which fades colours. For linen and cotton, a quick warm iron on the reverse side gives a crisp finish.
Useful Reads & Where to Shop
Long curtains can overload the drum, so check our capacity guide to size the load right. The same delicate approach is useful for washing cushion and sofa covers too.