Washing Curtains

[oscarina]

I have a pair of patterned curtains which the label says polyester and cotton, dry clean only, could I risk washing them. or what is the best way to clean them without going to the dry cleaners which isn't convenient

[Robinia]

Would it matter if they shrink, probably by a good inch? Are they lined? If so, you might find that the curtain fabric shrinks more that the lining in which case thay'll be all skewiff (as we say here). Otherwise you could risk it & wash them on a gentle warm wash.

[swedeheart]

Hi oscarina, will you forgive me if I hijack your thread for the tiniest, tiniest moment? I'm looking for ^^that woman and it's urgent. Robinia, check email in five minutes:) Thanks a lot and sorry, oscarina!

[Whoever]

If the curtains are lined, you do run the risk of the lining shrinking (if it does) at a different rate to the curtains which may make it difficult for them to hang nicely afterwards. . However, I wash my lined curtains in the bath, using gently warm water and soap and just swishing them around lightly. I then let the water drain well away for an hour so that the worst of the dripping goes down the plug hole and hang them in the open air to dry. You need to choose a good drying day if you have big curtains, and a strong washing line but this technique works for me.
I wouldn't risk using a washing machine as the treatment is too rough for some types of curtain material.