Adding country curtains and bedding to your home brings so much warmth and charm to your space. However, they do need to be properly maintained so you can keep them well into the future. Caring for your bedding and curtains will not only keep them looking sharp but will also help them last much longer. This way, you won’t have to replace them as often. But where should you start? With a few simple but important steps, you can take excellent care of your curtains and country bedding.
In this post, we’ll go over the basics of keeping your country curtains and bedding in top-notch shape! We’ll go over washing, storing and maintaining them to keep them looking their best.
Understanding Your Country Curtains and Bedding Materials
Do you know what materials your curtains and bedding are made from? If not, the very first thing you need to do is take a look at their tags or online descriptions. Knowing the type of fabric you’re dealing with is key to the best care. If you guess, you might end up ruining your items. So, it’s best to double-check. Some of the most popular material types include:
- Cotton
- Cotton Poly Blend
- Linen
- Lace
If your item isn’t labeled with the material type, it’s best to go take a look at the website of the store where it was purchased. You can often find a lot of helpful information there about many things, including the material types!
How to Wash Your Curtains and Bedding
Before deciding how to wash curtains and bedding, be sure to check for bedding and curtain cleaning instructions. They’re usually included on the tag or even on the brand’s website. The care guidelines will help you determine the best way to clean your items. Once you’ve reviewed the instructions, you should be all set. You can also follow the general tips below for common country curtains and bedding fabrics like cotton, linen and lace. However, you should always follow the direct instructions from your manufacturer over the instructions listed below.
Washing Instructions for Different Fabrics
When it comes to the frequency of washing items, it depends on usage level. For example, if you’re cleaning curtains or outer bedding, such as a comforter, you can wash those items less frequently; probably twice a year is adequate. Sheets, however, should be washed weekly.
- Cleaning Cotton: Cotton is a very popular fabric, and it also happens to be a durable material. Usually, it can be machine-washed on a delicate or gentle cycle with cold water and very mild detergent. To prevent shrinkage, consider air drying your item.
- Cleaning Linen: Linen curtains and bedding require a little more care than cotton. We’d recommend hand-washing linen. You might be able to get away with using a delicate cycle with cool water, but you want to try to prevent wrinkling and maintain the texture.
- Cleaning Lace: Lace is delicate and should always, always be hand-washed. You’ll want to use cool water with a mild detergent.
- When to Hand Wash vs. Machine Wash: This can be so tricky to decide, and we understand that machine washing is much easier, but sometimes it isn’t the best option. Always hand-wash delicate fabrics like lace and lightweight linens. You can usually machine wash sturdier fabrics like cotton, but be very careful. Hand-washing a spot treatment might be the only option for some country curtains, depending on the style and shape of the curtains. The more sheer the fabric is, the more careful you’ll need to be.
Stain Removal Instructions for Country Curtains and Bedding
Even country curtains and bedding can fall prey to stains like food, dirt and spills. So, how should you take care of them? Again, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions first, but if you are unsure of what to do, here are a few ideas to get you going:
- Food and Beverage Stains: For most food stains, you’ll want to gently blot the area with a damp cloth before treating with a stain remover. Only use stain remover if it is suited for delicate fabrics and consider doing a test swatch first.
- Dirt and Dust: Allow the dirt to completely dry and start by gently brushing away the dry residue with a soft tooth brush. If there is any dirt left, try using a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent to treat dirt stains. You can gently dab the stain rather than scrub it to avoid damaging the fabric.
- Safe Stain Removers: For country curtains made of lace or linen, avoid harsh chemicals. Opt for fabric-specific stain removers that are gentle and won't cause discoloration.
Drying and Ironing
After you’ve cleaned everything, you’ll need to dry and maybe even iron your curtains or bedding. Proper drying is really important since it can be the key to preventing shrinkage and preserving the texture of your curtains and bedding:
So, we’d recommend air drying. Air drying is best for most country fabrics, especially linen and lace, as heat can cause shrinkage or damage. To air dry your items, lay them flat on a clean surface or hang them in a well-ventilated area. You can even hang them on a clothesline outside!
If you need to iron your items, again double-check your fabric type to make sure it’s okay. For crisp, wrinkle-free curtains and bedding, you’ll want to use a warm iron. Be sure to iron cotton while it’s still slightly damp to avoid creases, while linen should be ironed at a medium temperature. For lace, use the lowest heat setting and a pressing cloth to protect the delicate fabric.
By following these steps, you can keep your country curtains and bedding looking fresh and beautiful.
Seasonal Care for Country Curtains and Bedding
It’s helpful to set times to check your decorative bedding and curtains. We’d suggest checking them at the beginning of each season. At the beginning of warmer months like the spring and summer, check for dust and any fading. This might also be a good time to deep clean everything since air drying is much easier in the warmer months–and you can dry things outside, if needed!
In the fall and winter, people often get sick quite a bit. So, while it’s more difficult to air dry in the colder months, you might want to wash your curtains and bedding only if people in your home have been sick a lot. Otherwise, just check everything to make sure it’s not dusty or dirty and spot clean as needed.
If you decide to switch out your bedding during the colder months, make sure everything has been cleaned as well as thoroughly dried. Then you can pack away the bedding. You’ll want to make sure it’s in a sealed container or bag and stored in a cool, dry and dark place.
How to Protect Your Country Curtains and Bedding
So, how do you keep everything protected? Well, regular vacuuming will help keep dust and allergens at bay. This means a much fresher and cleaner environment. You also should consider rotating your curtains and bedding every few months. Ths can help you to minimize wear and tear, especially in high-traffic areas. Using liners or protectors underneath your bedding can also extend its lifespan by reducing friction and direct exposure to dust.
By taking the time to properly care for your country curtains and bedding, you can keep them looking fresh and beautiful for years to come. Whether you're protecting fabrics from sunlight, preventing dust build-up or rotating to reduce wear, these simple tips will help preserve the charm of your farmhouse décor.
Are you in the market for some new country curtains and bedding? Shop Country Village Shoppe today for the perfect country curtains and bedding to bring warmth and style to every room!