Should I Steam Clean My Fabrics with Steam Team?

Next time you’re cleaning your house, don’t forget about your curtains! They accumulate dust easily, just like other surfaces in your home—and particularly during times of the year when you like to keep the windows open. But is it safe to steam clean them?  

What material are your curtains?

If your curtains are a delicate material or sheer, you’ll want to give them a good shake, then follow up with a duster or low-power vacuuming using the appropriate nozzle attachment. 

If your curtains are a heavier-weight material, check the care instructions. If they are machine-washable, they are also candidates for a steam cleaning, which saves you the hassle of needing to wash, dry, and iron them yourself.    

If they are dry-clean only, attempt washing them yourself at your own risk! If you’re willing to give it a go, try handwashing or using the gentle cycle and line drying. 

Whichever cleaning method you decide on for your curtains, don’t forget to clean the curtain rod, windowsill, and window moldings, too! 

Do you have allergies?

It’s especially important to keep your curtains clean if you are sensitive to common allergens. 

Here in Central Texas, we are subject to a variety of outdoor allergens year-round: mountain cedar in winter, oak pollen in spring, grasses in the summertime, and ragweed in the fall. So if your windows are open in the spring, don’t be surprised if you notice a fine layer of yellow-green oak pollen coating your windowsill and likely your curtains, too. You might also be sensitive to dust or mold. 

A steam cleaning will be able to pick up the fine particles of any airborne allergens more effectively than a regular wash cycle. If you suffer from allergies, you may also want to consider keeping your windows closed year-round.

Contact our experts at The Steam Team here in Austin if you have any questions about steam cleaning your window treatments!