Can I Machine Wash Thermal Backed Drapes?

Washing

• Place your thermal-backed drapes in your home's washing machine with like colors or alone. Thermal-backed drapes vary in size and thickness. If the drapes are thick or large and won't fit in your washing machine, use a commercial washing machine. You may have to wash one panel at a time. Fill the appliance with cold water and set it to a “Normal,” “Regular” or similar cycle. Add non-chlorine bleach to the water only if the drapes are heavily soiled. Remove your thermal-backed drapes immediately from the washing machine once the cycle is complete to keep them from developing an odor or wrinkling too much.

Drying

• Place the drapes in your home or a commercial dryer, along with a dryer sheet, and set the appliance to “Low” or similar setting. You can also dry your thermal-backed drapes on an outdoor clothesline or an indoor drying rack. If drying on a rack, stretch the drapes out over the rack so the fabric and lining can dry completely.

Ironing

• Iron your thermal-backed drapes with an iron set on “Warm” to remove any wrinkles once the drapes are dry. Cut any strings from the drapes, if any are present, with a pair of scissors. Use needle and thread to repair any rips in the fabric.

Hanging

• Hang your thermal-backed drapes immediately after ironing them to keep them from developing new wrinkles. Or place the drapes in a plastic or cloth bag and store the bag in a cool, dry place, if you are storing the drapes for hanging later.