Best way to wash net curtains please?

[ChippyMinton]

I should've name-changed for this

Last chance to do them before winter, so what's the best way. I have washing machine, bath, washing powder, vanish whitener etc.

Thanks

[Lemontart]

When I had the traditional style of nets, I used to do them in the bath with one of those sachets that look almost blue! Used to work a treat and come out very white.
I now have some softer cotton voiles hanging in the bedrooms and they were fine to go in the washing machine on a hot wash. I did them on their own with an extra scoop of oxy-vanish powder stuff you get in tubs. They look lovely (They were Ikea ones and I knew they were cotton so could wash fine on a hot wash)

[bellavita]

Best way is not to have any at all - venetian blinds are the way to go

Sorry, that is not helpful is it?

My mother usually puts them in the washing machine, then when finished into the sink to starch them. Then when you are trying to put them on the line to drip dry, they wrap around you and get in a tangle whilst you are trying to peg them!

[ChippyMinton]

I wouldn't have anything, but our front garden is not deep and DH insists. I suggested venetians to DH (white wooden ones) but he's not keen. When we redecorate i'll probably get voile roller blinds.

In the meantime, the only thing worse than nets is grubby nets.

[Anna8888]

Even better than net curtains and Venetian blinds are those opaque films that are stuck on the bottom half of the window - very common in the Netherlands/Belgium and now beginning to be seen in Paris.

I don't know where you can find them in the UK - anyone? But I really recommend.

[CostaRicanCod]

yes i loev that too.
can get in the uk - someone aroudn ehre ahs it

[ChippyMinton]

here Ok for funky pad or maybe a kitchen, but not for an edwardian front room, i think.

[ChippyMinton]

I NEED washing tips

[CostaRicanCod]

asre oyu THAT OLD? fgs its 2008

[CostaRicanCod]

they sell whitener stuff in the supermarket
bung in machine

[Anna8888]

Plain is absolutely fine for period houses/apartments with parquet, mouldings etc.

Our block is 1929 and the street level windows have it. And my sister lives in Amsterdam and the whole area was built between 1928-30 and nearly everyone has it.

[CostaRicanCod]

ooh i LOVE that interwar period design wise.
we lived in a 30s semi when we fist married wiht fab garden and stained glass hallway window.

i hate htis " its an edwardian house" crap
oyu haev to LIVE in it

[CostaRicanCod]

adn HOW are net curtains more sympathetic to the period?

[ChippyMinton]

Yikes. My window-dressing is being judged.

[Anna8888]

Completely agree . DP and I don't ever want to live in anything else here in Paris - the very best apartments were built in 1929-33 - if ever we move we will only move to another one.

[CostaRicanCod]

oh god yes. supose metal windows are LONg gone.

do you haev that thign where hte whoel block has the heating on at the same time? mate of mine had that, we sweltered.

[ChippyMinton]

Can you see OUT through the film? I need to spy on the passers-by from the comfort of my soaf.

[CostaRicanCod]

yes yes yes bin the nets.

[ChippyMinton]

sofa even.
Right, nets are going in machine with bio powder and oxi-action.

[CostaRicanCod]

ds3 used to be obsessed wiht oxy action

[Anna8888]

All the original metal windows have been replaced with double glazed windows - thank God, otherwise the noise from the autoroute we live on would drive us insane. But the original metal shutters are still there (and are a nightmare very expensive to clean).

Yup, we have central heating for the whole block - goes on in October and is turned off in May. Actually, I rather like the constant heat. My DP who has always lived with central block heating thinks that my parents live in an igloo.

[ChippyMinton]

Did he like the pink tub?

From Brume website:
Q: Can I see out?
A: You can only see out through the cut-out areas so consider your choice of position.

[TheFallenMadonna]

Napisan perhaps?

God, DH would loathe not being able to control the heating. Our thermostat is set to 18 degrees. 18!! Mind you, he was brought up in a big old house that had ice on the inside of the windows every morning, so he is not as other men.

[Anna8888]

We just open the windows if we want to cool off.

[GrapefruitMoon]

I used to think our house was Edwardian (and btw venetian blinds were popular then too) but it turns out it's 1920's. Not sure there's a huge amount of difference though. Ours has few original features left but what is there looks Victorian/Edwardian to me...

[CostaRicanCod]

if it s edwardian do you feel the need to stil use a mangle?