Thermal-backed drapes are created with fabric backed with acrylic foam to help insulate windows. They’re made to keep warm air in your home during the colder months as well as the heat outside during warmer months. If your thermal-backed drapes are stained or dingy, you can wash away the issue and make them look new.
Vacuum loose dust and dirt from either side of the curtain using a soft brush attachment. Cleaning away dirt and dust at least another week prevents buildup of dirt and discoloration of the drapes.
Remove soiled or stained drapes from the window to hand wash them. Take a look at the pins and place these aside.
Test a hidden area of the curtain for colorfastness by applying a solution of water and a couple drops of liquid laundry soap to the area, then rinsing it. If the shade is not altered by the soap following the test patch dries, it is safe to clean the rest of the curtain using the laundry soap.
Fill a sink or a bathtub with a way of cold water and light liquid laundry detergent. Stick to the small-load recommendations on the laundry-detergent bottle to find out how much detergent to add to the water.
Place the drapes into the soapy water and gently wash by hand. You may squeeze the fabric gently and gently wash the fabric to remove stains, but avoid bunching, wringing or twisting the drapes. This can damage the thermal backing.
Drain the sink and run clean water over the drapes to rub on the soapy water from the fabric. Gently squeeze the drapes to remove excess water.
Hang the curtains to dry using the curtain hooks. Do not use clothespins to hang drapes, nor bend the curtain over the line to dry. Make sure that the coated sides of the drapes aren’t touching each other since they dry.
