One of the best activities to do this upcoming spring and summer would hands-down be sitting in the great outdoors, especially if you own a balcony or backyard. It’s the perfect way to get some fresh air in the lungs, soak up the sun, and just enjoy the lovely views of nature surrounding you. With that said, you’re probably looking into ways to decorate this outdoor living space. Just as you need to decorate your indoor space to make it feel more like it’s yours, you can say the same for the outside too.
All of those details, such as the furniture and décor, add up to make this a cozy space. This even includes the curtains. But just as your indoor space has a way of getting dirty, you can count on the same happening to your outdoor space too. Think about it, your outdoor living space, especially your curtains, will need to deal with elements such as bugs splashing into it, potential bird droppings, dirt, debris, and even rain. Over time, this is going to make any space, especially the outdoor curtains, appear quite dirty. Fortunately, just as it’s possible to clean indoor curtains, it’s actually pretty easy to clean and maintain your outdoor curtains too. So let’s take a look!
Understand Outdoor Curtain Fabric Types
Before cleaning your outdoor curtains, it is essential to understand the type of fabric they are made of. The most common types of outdoor curtain fabrics are polyester, canvas, and acrylic. There are other fabric materials too, but these are the main ones. Different types of fabric require different cleaning methods. One material, such as polyester curtains, can be easily cleaned with mild detergent and warm water. While canvas curtains, on the other hand, should be hand washed with mild soap and warm water. Overall, it’s not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to cleaning, so you need to take a look at this first.
How to Clean Outdoor Curtains
After you get the chance to know what type of material you have for the curtains, you can get to cleaning them; as stated above, when it comes to cleaning, it’s not going to be a one-size-fits-all as there are various requirements based on the fabric. In fact, even something like waterproof curtains will have its own special way of cleaning curtains too. So let’s take a good at some of the different options that are available for cleaning outdoor curtains.
Give a Good Wipe Down
Sometimes, all you need to do is wipe down your outdoor curtains in order for them to be clean. There’s probably a chance that they’re covered in animal hair, dirt, and microscopic debris. You can start by vacuuming the curtains with a handheld vacuum to get any dirt out that the naked eye can’t see. Afterward, get a damp cloth with lukewarm water and mild soap, and just wipe them down. Even waterproof outdoor curtains can be cleaned this way. Plus, you won’t need to worry about mold getting on them, either. It’s encouraged to do this either biweekly or once a month, depending on how windy your area is.
See if You can Machine Wash
It’s so important to keep in mind that not all outdoor curtains can be machine washable. You’ll have to look at the manufacturer’s recommended way of washing to see if it’s machine washable friendly. This could be the easiest way to get outdoor curtains cleaned, especially if there are any hard-to-scrub spots. Some outdoor curtain materials, such as canvas and cotton, can be machined and washed, but you should still look into manufacturer cleaning recommendations beforehand. You’ll need to let the curtains soak for approximately ten minutes before washing and make sure the water is lukewarm with gentle detergent.
Spot Cleaning
Maybe there’s a small spot or two on your outdoor curtain; in cases like this, you don’t need to go through the effort of taking them down. Instead, get a spray bottle combined with warm water and mild laundry detergent and spritz the areas that contain spots. Afterward, wide them down with a damp cloth. For the most part, this is something that nearly all materials for outdoor curtains can handle.
Soak Them
Most natural and synthetic materials for outdoor curtains can usually handle being soaked in water. This is going to be the best way to remove any stains in case it happens. However, it’s strongly recommended to do a patch test first, such as the very bottom corner of your curtains. Ideally, you should soak your outdoor curtain for about an hour and then use a sponge to scrub the stains away. Afterward, you should rinse with warm water.
Additional Tips to Keep in Mind When Cleaning Outdoor Curtains
If you want to make completely sure that you’re able to nicely maintain your outdoor curtains, then you should keep in mind that not all outdoor curtains are the same. They may have the same purpose, but their material may all vary. So let’s look into other things you should keep in mind when you’re cleaning your outdoor curtains.
● Always check the care label on your curtains before cleaning to ensure you are using the appropriate cleaning method.
● Do not use bleach or harsh chemicals on outdoor curtains, as this can cause damage to the fabric.
● Avoid using a washing machine (unless stated otherwise) or dryer to clean outdoor curtains, as this can cause shrinkage and damage to the fabric.
● If your curtains are heavily soiled, consider taking them to a professional cleaner.
How to Maintain Outdoor Curtains
Is it easy to maintain outdoor curtains? Absolutely! Just because they’re exposed to the elements, it doesn’t immediately mean that they won’t have a long life like indoor curtains have. It’s really all about maintenance. For starters, even though your outdoor curtains are meant to protect you from the harsh UV rays, they may need some protection from the sun too. So something such as fabric protector spray can do wonders. The same goes for keeping an eye on rainy weather.
While you can leave waterproof curtains outside, and they can be rained on, it’s still not recommended. Try to keep an eye out for the weather and take them down during rainy weather or wet seasons entirely. On top of that, when you’re looking into signs of stains or spots, you should use this opportunity to look for signs of wear and tear, like fraying. Overall, it’s encouraged to keep an eye out on your curtains and do whatever you can to keep them in pristine condition. Nice-looking curtains have a way of making all the difference in outdoor living areas!
How to Properly Store Outdoor Curtains for the Off-Season
When the leaves are falling, and it’s getting chilly outside, this is when it’s time to take down your outdoor curtains and move them somewhere more secure until the right season comes back. You should clean them first to ensure there isn’t any dirt locked into the fabric. Afterward, neatly fold them up and put them in an area that’s dark and insulated (but not damp). A space like a closet would be perfect.