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You should hire a professional to clean your drapes every four or five years or every two to three years if you have pets or it experiences heavy soiling. Light-colored drapes may require washing more often—every one to two years—to keep them looking fresh and clean. In between professional cleanings, it’s a good idea to vacuum your drapes lightly with a special drape attachment to remove surface dirt, pet hair, and other debris. Avoid using abrasive vacuum brushes on more delicate materials, though, like silk and linen.

The best way to clean drapes depends on the material, as certain washing methods are necessary for more delicate materials. You can follow the general guidelines below in most cases:

• Cotton: Machine wash

• Lace: Hand wash

• Linen: Dry clean

• Polyester: Machine wash

• Silk: Dry clean or steam clean

• Velvet: Dry clean

• Wool: Dry clean

You should also consider if there’s any existing damage to the drapes, like pulls or small tears, that could get worse with aggressive washing. Additionally, older drapes may require special care from a professional to preserve them but still leave them clean.

Regular vacuuming, spot cleaning, and dust-resistant sprays can help maintain freshness and prolong the time between professional cleanings.

It depends on the type of curtain material you’re working with, as cotton, cotton blends, polyester, burlap, and linen can usually stand up well to machine washing, while silk, velvet, sateen, and lace curtains are typically too delicate for washing machines. Check the tags on your curtains and follow the directions for the best results. If you’re unsure of the material, are missing a how-to-wash tag, or have older curtains that might get damaged in the machine, take them to a dry cleaner to be on the safe side.