Dirty Curtains!

[DirtyCurtains1]

Hi! Long time lurker, first time poster and in need of trusty advice!

I have recently bought all new lovely curtains for upstairs in my house. With the lovely weather, NDN has either been BBQ'ing or lighting his fire pit EVERY BLOODY NIGHT. We have spoken and I don't think he realises now much this has actually made my house smell. He has promised to stop (or at least calm it down / give me warning so I can close windows etc) so that's it sorted going forward.

However! My new curtains stink which is causing each room to have an awful lingering burning smell.

How on earth do I clean them? They are all blackout curtains (unsure if that makes a difference) and after a quick google there seems to be tonnes of horror stories about hand/dry/machine cleaning them (regardless of what the label instructs)!

Help!!

Oh and I've tried to fabreeze, didn't make a blind but if difference.

Thanks!!

No idea but watching with interest.

Are they all the same material? What material are they made of?

It’s not recommended to dry clean blackout linings - I can’t remember exactly why but blackout linings don’t react well to dry cleaning.
I have a lovely pair of curtains I had made for DDs bedroom. I watched them get grubby with little fingers, took them to the dry cleaners who strongly advised not to have them dry cleaned. I asked her what she reccomended - her words were “ just bung them in the washer on a low temp”. So I did - and I was lucky. They came out fine .

I think it depends on what your curtain material is. Blackout blinds have a high level of poly-something or other in it, which is a form of plastic mixed with material. So as long as the temp isn’t high it should wash fine.
Or, you could try handwashing in the bath.
But have a feel/look at the labels and see what they are made of/what the washing instructions are ( if any) and post the info. I may be better help with more info.

Thanks for your reply!! I tried to find a label this morning but struggled (I was shushing a baby at this point though so may not have been paying too much attention!)

I'll have another look after and let you know! Off the top of my head I have no idea of the material.

Will keep you posted!

Ok!! If no label, have a feel of material . If you have no idea, ask a friend if they know and take a picture for me. I will do my best!

Ok so they are 100% polyester and it says to hydrocarbon dry clean only?!

Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you! I feel as though I haven't been back into my house since I posted!!

Are they all the same?
Firstly I would start by giving them all a really really good squirt of febreeze.
Then, if the smell lingers I would take one curtain - that has the clean8ng instructions- to the dry cleaners and see what they think.
If they are happy to do it, just have one cleaned to see if they survive the process.
OR, you could try very gently washing one , put it in an old pillowcase and tie the top first, I would do a twenty/thirty minute wash an£ see how it comes out.

I’ve only ever killed one thing - a blouse bought from Principles about 300 years ago!- by putting it in the washer when it said dry clean.

If they have a good hem on them you could cut a bit off and ‘ wash’ it, see if it changes at all.

Good luck, let me know what you do!
Oh and BTW, I have zero knowledge of what ‘ hydrocarbon dry clean ‘ means!!

It's to do with the chemicals used. There used to be different types - I don't think there are anymore. Even with dry cleaning there's a risk the curtains with shrink. You might have to let the down a bit. Try hanging the curtains outside in sunlight when the neighbour isn't burning stuff. Febreeze will just add disgusting perfume to the smell of smoke. You could also try sponging them with a solution of bicarb in water, but don't get them more than barely damp.

I'd start with hanging them on the line for a good blow.