Thread curtains, sometimes referred to as muslin curtains, give a room a refined, airy feel. But many people are curious about how to clean them without breaking the delicate glass beads adorning them, especially when it comes to cleaning them.
To maintain the beauty and freshness of your thread curtains, it’s crucial to know the proper washing machine or hand washing techniques. You can easily keep them charming and save yourself the aggravation of broken beads or tangled threads with the proper maintenance.
This tutorial will lead you through the procedure, providing easy-to-follow instructions and advice for both hand and machine washing, allowing you to select the approach that works best for you.
General rules
Care for thread curtains is not demanding. The synthetic ropes used to make the curtains are simple to use and clean. They are easily cleaned of dirt, and after washing, they don’t require ironing. Muslin does not shrink after washing, dries fast, and has a nice appearance.
The challenge is that, when in a suspended state, the threads do not tangle easily. Later on, it becomes difficult to untangle the ball, and sometimes the curtain cannot be fixed. When washing, it is advised to prevent this by:
- use a mesh bag;
- tie the threads into bundles or braid them;
- untie the bundles starting from the top ribbon, only after placing them on the cornice.
Because gel or liquid detergent is easier to wash off, it is preferable for all types of washing. You must wait until the grains are fully dissolved before adding powder. It is advised to soften and lower dust accumulation in the rinse water by adding an antistatic conditioner.
When cleaned, curtains frequently shed threads. This is not a deal breaker for single-color options, but a two-color or rainbow model might suffer. Only hand washing is appropriate in these situations. This also holds true for white muslin beaded with a variety of colors.
During the day, the thread curtain dries on the cornice in its straightened form. Should any wavy or curved areas remain on the surface after drying, they are sprayed with water, manually smoothed out, and then allowed to dry.
How to wash curtains by hand
All varieties of rope curtains, including those with beads and glass beads, can be cleaned by hand. All that has to be followed is this order:
- While the curtains are still hanging on the cornice, you need to divide them into small, vertical bundles. Small width models are divided into 2 – 3 bunches. Tie each one in several places along the length with a step of 20 cm with white ribbons or elastic bands that do not fade. This operation will help to avoid tangling of threads, which is detrimental to curtains.
- When the bunches are ready, the muslin is removed from the cornice and dipped in a soap solution with a water temperature of 30 – 40 ° C. Higher temperatures lead to deformation of artificial fibers.
- The product is left in water for 30 – 40 minutes to allow the detergent to act.
- After this, add heated water to a temperature of 40 ° C and begin to gently crush and squeeze the bunches of threads. Hand movements should be soft so as not to stretch them. Contamination comes off from exposure to water and there is no need to rub additionally.
- After the procedure is completed, change the water to clean water and start rinsing in cool. A shower will help to do this more thoroughly.
- When water starts to flow from the curtain without any foam from the detergent, then the wash is finished. The curtain is lightly wrung out and allowed to drain.
- The thread curtain is hung on the cornice damp. Wait until it dries completely and do not iron. In this state, the curtain will restore its original appearance and straighten out under its own weight.
Muslin thread curtains, particularly those with glass beads, need to be washed with extreme caution. To prevent tangling or damage, it’s important to safeguard the delicate threads and beads whether you choose to wash them by hand or in a washing machine. Your curtains will remain gorgeous and intact if you follow the proper procedures, such as hand washing them with mild detergent or putting them in a laundry bag for machine washing.
Machine wash
The only muslin that is appropriate for machine washing is the basic variety composed of threads and ropes. It is not possible to machine wash curtains with glass beads, beads, or decorative fittings.
If you choose to use the automatic washing method, proceed as follows:
- First, the threads are braided into loose braids. A braid is woven into the ends and fixed. This is done while the muslin is still on the cornice. The edges of the braids should not hang down.
- Then the curtain is removed and placed in a mesh bag. It can be replaced with a pillowcase made of loose chintz and tied with a neutral-colored braid.
- Set the washing machine to “manual” or “delicate”. Temperature conditions should not exceed 40 °C, cycle duration – 30 – 40 minutes. It is recommended to turn off the spin cycle.
- After washing, the tied curtains are left to drain. Then they are returned to the curtain rod. Unbraid the braids and straighten the ropes. This should be done immediately, otherwise the threads will dry out and become wavy, not straight. In a straightened, suspended state, the muslin will acquire its original appearance after drying.
The subtleties of washing muslin with glass beads
Pebbles, glass beads, and beads add a unique elegance and charm to curtains. To prevent damage and tangling of the threads, extra care should be taken when washing beaded curtains. After all, if handled roughly, the threads are prone to becoming lumpy. The fabric must first be braided or tied into bundles with ribbons in at least four places. After dissolving powder or another detergent in warm water, hang the curtain to dry for 30 minutes. Next, add a small amount of hot water and wash by kneading with your hands. The threads are easily cleaned of dust and dirt because of the unique synthetic material.
Once the soapy water has been drained, rinse the muslin with running water from a ladle or shower. Adjust the curtain so that all of the glass is visible. Don’t wait for it to dry before going back to the ledge.
| Method | Instructions |
| Washing Machine | Place the curtains in a laundry bag to prevent tangling. Use a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Avoid spinning. |
| Hand Wash | Fill a basin with cold water and mild detergent. Gently swish the curtains in the water, avoiding wringing. Rinse thoroughly and hang to dry. |
Cleaning thread curtains, particularly muslin with glass beads, may appear difficult, but with the correct techniques, it’s actually fairly easy. Gentle handling is essential to maintaining the excellent condition of your curtains, whether you choose to wash them by hand or in a washing machine.
You can control the process more when you hand wash, preventing damage to the delicate threads and glass beads. If you do choose to use a washing machine, you can preserve the curtains from deterioration by putting them in a laundry bag and selecting a gentle cycle.
After washing, don’t forget to hang the curtains up to let the air dry. This keeps wrinkles away and helps them maintain their shape. You can prolong the beauty and freshness of your muslin thread curtains with these simple tips.
