How to Get Rid of Mould on Curtains

Mould. It’s nasty, it’s smelly and it looks downright disgusting. Now, imagine that one day, while cleaning your home, you discover that your beautiful lace curtains, the ones you paid a pretty penny for, are covered in ghastly fungi! Or maybe it has already happened to you? Well, no worries – we are here to save the day!

In this article, we are going to answer all of your questions on how to get rid of mould on curtains, including why it happens in the first place, the difference between mould and mildew, and, as always – give you some helpful prevention tips.

Why mould and mildew appears in the first place

Both mould and mildew can appear easily on, well, almost anything. Fungi needs only a bit of moisture like condensation on windows or a warmer environment and a food source such as dust, dirt or an organic material. So, if you have a draftier window hidden behind a nice pair of curtains, don’t be surprised if you find nasty mouldy spots covering the fabric.

What is the difference between mould and mildew

Generally, mould is a term that includes several types of identical nuclei. One of the main characteristics of the fungus is that it has the ability to develop beneath almost any type of material, penetrate it, and as time passes – inflict some serious damage. That being said, mildew falls into this category, slightly differing.

This mould type grows on top of items and unlike some sorts of fungus, is easier to treat. Remember those slippery orange stains you found while last cleaning your bathroom? That is live mould. The same fungus spots can turn grey, which means that the mould is hibernating. What can “activate” the spores is warmth and sunlight.

How to get rid of mould on curtains

Now that you know what exactly is mould and why it appears, we can talk about how to get rid of mould stains on curtains. Before you continue with the cleaning advice, note that not all curtains are made the same and have different washing requirements. Check the label of yours before trying to clean them yourself. Some curtains can only be dry cleaned, and you need to know this in advance. So, with this out the way, here are the 4 easy steps to get rid of mould:

Step #1

The first part of the cleaning process is definitely not a pleasant one, but it’s still necessary. Get a hard bristle brush and start scrubbing the fungus. You need to remove as much of the nasty mould as you can. We highly advise doing this outside, so the fungi spores don’t end up on another area in your home. 

Step #2

Once you are done scrubbing, roll up your sleeves – we are making a DIY mould killer. Combine one part bleach and four parts water into a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the mixture on the affected areas. Make sure that you do this from a distance, so you don’t end up with bleached curtains. Wait for the solution to settle into the fabric. 

Step #3

The next step of the cleaning process is to wash the curtains. Put them in the washing machine, along with your regular detergent and some fabric softener, and set it on a low temperature. 40 degrees will do the job. 

Step #4

Finally, take out the curtains from the washer and hang them outside to dry. DO NOT use your dryer to speed things up – there is a chance that you could actually shrink the curtains.

Carpets, like curtains, can become a breeding ground for mould growth. If your textile flooring is affected, read our post on how to remove mould from carpets.

How to prevent mould on curtains

Dealing with any kind of mould on any kind of area, surface, or material is nasty. The stuff looks weird, smells funny, and let’s face it – you can get goosebumps only by the thought of touching the fungi. So, if you want to save yourself the hassle of cleaning mould from your curtains, check the prevention tips we’ve provided below: 

Hire professionals

Some house chores are more troublesome than others. Curtain cleaning, especially mould removal, happens to fall under this category. That being said, why not give our professional curtain cleaning services a shot? 
We offer both dry cleaning and hot water extraction, which makes our services suitable for all types of curtains. The cleaning itself is performed by trained specialists, who will treat the piece on spot, without even taking it down. So, if you are looking for a sure way to get rid of mould on your curtains, give Fantastic Services a call today!

Takeaways

• Double-check with the label of your curtains for the fabric type or/and the cleaning method you should use. 
• Be very careful when applying the bleach concoction to the mouldy curtains. Spritz a light mist over the fabric and make sure it’s from a distance, so you don’t damage the piece. 
• Prevention is key. If you don’t want to clean mouldy spots, try to do your best to stop the fungi from developing in the first place.  

And if you are searching for ways to remove mould from upholstery furniture, you might find our dedicated post useful.

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Have you ever had mold on your curtains? How did you get rid of it? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Image source: Shutterstock / Fevziie