The use of curtains with eyelets has long been a beautiful and stylish solution in interior design. Round, square, triangular, with rhinestones and ornaments - the variety of accessories for curtains has long won the love of customers. But the first question that arises when choosing curtains with eyelets is: can they be machine washed?
Answer: yes. Just don’t immediately run and throw the curtains into the washing machine after reading a positive answer in a search engine - look at the article to the end and learn all the intricacies of this process.
The main fear of using a machine wash if the product contains non-fabric components is the breakdown of household appliances and damage to the fabric if the grommet comes off. To eliminate this possibility, pay attention to the quality and material of the eyelet, as well as the composition and condition of the curtain fabric.
Plastic eyelets are the most common option due to their price, huge color range and quiet operation. They are easy to care for and, provided the temperature is maintained and a washing bag is present, will not cause problems. A variety of shapes of plastic eyelets can be viewed in the catalog. Here you will find exclusive model forms developed by the company, which are not available from other manufacturers.
A curtain with metal eyelets can be washed automatically if you are confident in the quality of the metal fittings, since a cheap analogue of metal eyelets can become rusty during the washing process, which will damage the fabric or lose its shiny coating. To prevent this from happening, use a laundry detergent with natural ingredients and be sure to wash in a laundry bag. As a last resort, the eyelets can be removed by prying the gap between the two halves of the eyelet with a sharp object (like scissors), and wash the fabric separately.
Do your curtains have wooden grommets? Then only hand wash, since wooden products do not tolerate contact with water, from which they swell and become unusable. At the same time, we wash the fabric, not reaching the top of the product in which the wooden elements are located.
You should not machine wash curtains with eyelets if:
1. Canvas fabric has been in use for a long time. In old curtains, the rings hold on rather weakly, due to the loss of fiber density, and this can contribute to their tearing from the canvas.
2. You bought the finished curtain very cheaply - it is simply impossible to guarantee the strength of the fittings in such products.
3. The curtain is made from several types of fabrics - choosing a single temperature regime will be quite difficult.
At what distance from the ceiling should I hang a curtain rod?
The height can be changed, but it is best to attach it so that it is as close to the ceiling as possible, then the curtains will look much more beautiful. The most optimal distance from the ceiling to the cornice is 5-10 cm. You must pay attention to how the curtains will be attached.
Interesting materials:
How to clean grout on tiles? How to clean the grout in the bathroom? How to clean a siphon under a bathtub? How to clean a silicone case from yellowness? How to clean heavily soiled upholstered furniture? How to clean a heavily soiled bathtub? How to clean a heavily soiled sofa? How to clean a heavily soiled carpet? How to clean synthetic carpet? How to clean the engine cooling system with citric acid?
How to remove curtains?
1. Unscrew the bolt securing the curtain rod pipe, remove the decorative tip, lift the pipe a little and remove the curtains. The curtains can be easily removed if the pipe is slightly inclined.
2. We thread our fingers through the eyelets and in this position lightly shake out the curtain (it’s more convenient to do this together).
3. Carefully fold the curtains in half, as if packing them again. Washing curtains in this form will eliminate unnecessary ironing of a clean product.
If we wash it in a machine, then:
1. Place the folded curtains in a washing bag. If the bag is not available, a regular pillowcase can easily replace it.
2. Place the bag in the drum of the washing machine, add liquid laundry detergent and fabric softener, which will rid the clean product of static electricity.
3. We launch any of the delicate washing modes available in the program: hand wash, wool, delicate wash. The main thing is to ensure that the temperature is no more than 30 degrees, and the number of revolutions is no more than 400.
If we use hand washing, then:
1. pour water with a temperature of no higher than 30 degrees into the container, add liquid detergent or shampoo, if the fabric is not heavily soiled, leave for 15 minutes.
2. Using smooth kneading movements, we work the surface of the fabric, cleaning it from dust and dirt.
3. Rinse the curtains in warm water until the foam is completely washed away, and let the excess water drain.
Advice: it’s better to wash massive curtains in the bathroom, but curtains made from light fabric can be freshened in a basin.
How to install grommets
Main article: How to put eyelets on curtains
This process is much simpler than it seems, now you will see for yourself. Check out the important details and implementation nuances:
Choose the material you like and calculate the amount of fabric needed. Pre-measure the length of your curtain rod and the desired height of the curtains.
- The fabric footage is taken to be 2-2.5 times larger than the window opening.
When choosing eyelets and calculating the pitch, remember that the larger the ring, the wider the pitch.
- Choose a size in the range from 15 to 22 cm.
To prevent the curtain from clinging to the wall, measure the distance from the curtain rod to the wall; this figure should be no more than half the step size.
- The outer eyelets are placed 3-5 cm from the outer edge.
The main rule: it is necessary to place an even number of eyelets at the same distance, this is the only way to form uniform folds!
Temperature conditions for different types of fabrics
The choice of automatic or hand washing depends not only on the presence of eyelets, but also on the composition of the fabric from which the curtain is sewn. How to wash curtains made from different types of fabric?
Organza. Curtains made from this fabric can be machine washed at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees, but it is better to soak them in cold water for a while in advance.
Cotton and synthetics. Curtains with eyelet fittings made from these materials can be washed in any mode with virtually no restrictions. The permissible temperature is 60 degrees.
Blackout fabric. Machine washing is allowed at 30 degrees, but with the spin mode turned off, which will cause a lot of extra wrinkles on this fabric.
Linen, viscose. Hand washing is preferable, but automatic washing in a delicate mode without spinning is also possible.
Chintz. Owners of curtains with eyelets made of this material are recommended to hand wash their products in lightly salted water with the addition of vinegar. These components will make the pattern on the curtains brighter and add color.
Interior Design
The right fabric transforms a room beyond recognition. This takes into account the color of the ceiling and floor wallpaper, as well as furniture textiles. Decorative fittings can highlight the overall design and create original accents.
Check out several unusual and designer uses for it:
- Metallic rings look great on dark curtains, giving classic curtains a modern look;
- the material is selected in the same tone as the wallpaper, and the color of the cornice and eyelets matches the color of the floor.
In the living room and bedroom, eyelets are used for both heavy and light fabrics. Transparent material is reinforced with transparent tape or the organza at the top is combined with a denser fabric glued with non-woven fabric.
- Dense fabrics require the use of strong metal rings.
- Small plastic parts can be attached to lightweight fabrics.
Plastic for curtains is best suited for the kitchen, as it can be easily removed before washing, because such curtains most often require maintenance.
Window cornice
Choose a strip wider than the window opening; there should be at least 20 cm of margin on each side. Why do you need this length, you ask? Thanks to this distance, the window opening increases, visually expanding the space, and the curtains beautifully form even, smooth folds.
Is it possible?
Many housewives are afraid to load curtains with eyelets into the washing machine drum due to the presence of iron elements. Their fears are not unfounded, since a detached ring can lead to damage to household appliances.
To prevent this from happening, the following types of curtains are not subjected to automatic processing:
Old canvases . If their fibers have lost their former density, then the rings hold weakly and can come off when rubbing against the elements of the washing machine.- Cheap products . It is impossible to guarantee the strength of the fittings.
- Products with serious defects, such as unraveling seams . Washing in automatic mode is possible, but only after fixing the problem.
- Curtains made of delicate fabrics: velvet, natural silk, blackout, flock, chintz, linen . It is not recommended to load items sewn from several types of fabric into the machine.
Not only the type of fabric matters, but also the material from which the eyelets are made:
- Tree. It does not tolerate contact with water, it swells and becomes unusable. Such products are washed by hand, avoiding getting the edges of the curtains and fittings wet.
- Metal. Such eyelets will not withstand interaction with aggressive detergents and the drum of a washing machine. They will either rust, causing dirty streaks to form, or the shiny finish will come off.
- Plastic. These are the most unpretentious products that can be processed automatically.
Hand washing is considered more gentle, so in all doubtful cases it should be given preference.
There are products on sale with removable fittings. During washing, the eyelets are unfastened, and after processing is completed they are returned to their place.
In two rows!
To secure curtains in this way, it is recommended to use special double-row curtain rods. They are shown in the photo. This product comes with several special items:
- Ÿ Tire (for tulle);
- Ÿ metal pipe (for curtains);
- Ÿ tips or knobs;
- Ÿ brackets for attaching the model to the wall;
- Ÿ hooks and rings.
Attaching the curtains is not difficult - the eyelets are simply put on the tube, as shown in the photo.
Features of drying and ironing
An important step in caring for curtains with eyelets is drying and ironing them. In order for these processes to take place without loss to the appearance of the fabric, it is necessary to pay attention to the following points:
if the material is of medium density (viscose, organza, muslin, etc.) and light weight, then the water should be allowed to drain, after which you can immediately hang the curtains on the cornice;- when the product is massive, for example, velvet, then when wet its mass will be significant, so such curtains are dried completely straightened - they are spread on sheets, which are changed as they get wet, and the sheets are hung slightly damp;
- curtains should not be dried on heating devices or near an open fire source. This will negatively affect the fabric and accessories.
Some curtains require ironing after drying. Most often, products made from natural fibers (cotton and linen) need it. They are ironed wet or with the steam function turned on. If the fabric is delicate and thin, iron it through gauze.
Regular styles
Conventional styles are also not lacking in their appeal. Well-arranged furniture, cozy coffee tables, soft sofas and a cup of tea will always soothe our soul after a long day of work. Curtains with grommets will add coziness and comfort to such an interior.
There are so many styles, so many curtain solutions, the main thing is to choose the right fabric, gain enthusiasm and get to work.
Features of grommet curtains
Designers are constantly updating models of eyelet curtains, offering single, double or fabrics of different configurations. Let's take a closer look at the main types of products.
Single and double models
Single models are sewn from thin fabric, often from voile, tulle or lace. They are an independent window decoration and do not require additional decoration. At the request of the owners, they can decorate not only the window opening, but also part of the wall. At any time you can beautifully drape them or fix them in a certain place.
For double eyelet curtains, contrasting colors are most often used or a smooth transition within several shades is chosen. In the interior they look decent and beautiful.
Short and long curtains
Another design option for eyelet curtains is a lambrequin, which is used to close the cornice. Most often, it is combined with airy tulle, and there are also models together with curtains. In terms of color design, they can be combined with curtains or act as an accent. Short curtains are used in kitchens, and there are also examples for children's rooms.
Floor-length eyelet curtains are a classic window design option; they are suitable for both modern designs and retro styles. The main advantage of such products is that you can drape not only the window opening, but also the part of the wall on which pipes or radiators are located.
When choosing such a model, you should carefully consider the pros and cons; it is important that their length does not interfere with the movement of household members and pets.
Important Tips
To prevent fabric damage, the following recommendations must be followed:
- Wash curtains separately from other items.
- If the products are massive, then they are loaded into the drum one at a time. When washing curtains, it is important that they fit freely in the machine. Tightly packed fabrics will not be processed properly.
- Aggressive compositions are not suitable for washing products. Even if the fabric itself survives their impact, the eyelets will be hopelessly damaged.
- To prevent metal fittings from rusting and causing stains on the material, they should be thoroughly wiped with a dry cloth immediately after washing.
- Thorough rinsing of the fabric will help avoid the appearance of white and yellow stains. This is especially important for curtains, since they regularly come into contact with the sun's rays. Detergent particles remaining inside will cause the fabric to turn yellow.
- Use air conditioners and bleaches with caution. The components included in their composition can cause damage to the eyelets.
Before washing for the first time, you should read the manufacturer's recommendations. For factory products they are indicated on the label.
A prohibition on machine washing is indicated by a crossed out square, inside of which there is a circle (a washing machine icon). You should ask your sales consultant about caring for curtains sewn in a salon.
Which is cheaper: buy ready-made curtains or sew them yourself?
Let's compare the cost of ready-made curtains with eyelets and those made independently.
The lowest cost of one panel with eyelets measuring 140 x 280 cm at Leroy Merlyn is 964 rubles.
The price of a similar material - TecRepublic Targalet, plain, RS 32003-6834/280 made of 100% polyester, width 280 cm - is 289 rubles. per linear meter. Then the cost of the material will be equal to:
- material = 1.40 m x 289 rub./p.m. = 405 rub.
The price of plastic eyelets is 24 rubles. a piece. For a curtain 140 cm wide you need 8 pieces. Costs for eyelets:
- eyelets = 24 x 8 = 192 RUR.
The price of the grommet tape is 36 rubles. per linear meter. The cost will be:
- tape = 36 x 1.4 = 50 rub.
Total costs for materials:
- material + eyelets + tape = 405 + 192 + 50 = 647 rub.
Savings from sewing yourself: 964 – 647 = 317 rubles.
Alternative methods for cleaning curtains with grommets
If you don’t want to wash your curtains, but still need to refresh them, you can use the following methods:
· cleaning with a steam generator – will allow you to wet clean curtains without using detergents. Steam treatment is quite acceptable if there is no goal to remove stains.
· cleaning with a vacuum cleaner will rid the curtains of accumulated dust and save a lot of time. However, there will be no smell of clean curtains in the room.
· washing with a sponge and liquid detergent - this method of cleaning curtains from dirt without removing them from the curtain rod is also quite common, especially if there are small children or mischievous animals in the house.
There are so many nuances hidden in the simple answer “Yes, you can wash it.” Still, most options allow machine washable curtains with eyelets. After all, otherwise such an impractical solution (from a maintenance point of view) as using eyelets for curtains would not be very popular among buyers.
Washing in a washing machine
To prevent machine washing from causing damage to curtains with eyelets, you need to properly prepare them. This stage includes the following steps:
Removing the product from the cornice . This is a time-consuming task that will be difficult to cope with alone.- Removing dust from fabric . To do this, shake it thoroughly. It is advisable to carry out the procedure outside, or use a vacuum cleaner.
- Soak. This step is performed only if there is serious contamination on the canvases.
Areas in need of treatment are moistened, a cleaning composition (soap solution or liquid stain remover) is applied to them, left to act and rinsed. - Selection of detergent .
It is recommended to wash curtains with eyelets using liquid detergents. They have a gentle effect on the material, remove stains better and rinse well at low water temperatures. You can opt for gel capsules, which are immediately placed in the drum of the washing machine along with the curtains.
After completing all preparatory activities, begin washing. Step-by-step algorithm of actions:
- Place the curtains in the drum of the washing machine.
- Pour detergent into the compartment.
- Select the appropriate washing mode. It depends on the type of fabric from which the curtains are made. Classic processing is carried out using the “delicate” or “gentle wash” program. In this case, the water temperature is 30-40 degrees, and the spin is turned off. This will preserve the integrity of the fittings.
- Wait until the washing is completed, remove the curtains from the washing machine, dry them and return them to their place.
To wash curtains with eyelets, use special mesh bags. The product is placed in them before loading it into the drum. Even if the fittings come off during processing, they will remain inside the mesh.
Step-by-step instructions for washing curtains with eyelets in a washing machine - in the video:
Execution Sequence
- Using the selected material, the curtain is cut to size, taking into account allowances.
- At the top of the curtain, attach grommet tape or interlining, fold the fabric to the width of the grommets and iron.
- Hem the side seams.
- Then you need to mark the location of the eyelets.
- Cut the hole with scissors or a special tool.
- Insert the grommet and secure with the washer, pressing from above until it clicks.
- Hem the bottom of the curtain to the selected height.
- Iron the finished product.
- All that remains is to put the curtain on the cornice strip.
CEILING AND CORNICE REPAIR
A ceiling cornice is good for everyone, but when it comes time to renovate a room, you have to decide how best to deal with this obvious obstacle to treating the ceiling. The fact is that even with the most careful painting work, it is unlikely that you will be able to very accurately approach the cornice profile, which is pressed closely to the ceiling, with a new paint layer.
How to repair a ceiling with a cornice attached to it The simplest and most reliable way is to completely remove the ceiling cornice and smoothly process the ceiling. There may be obstacles to implementing this method, even the banal absence of a specialist who is able to perform such installation work. In addition, if the cornice was installed after overcoming any complications in place, similar problems may arise when it is reinstalled.
Before final tightening of the screws, the cornice profile must be pressed against the ceiling
When dismantling a ceiling profile, you need to be aware that re-tightening screws into old, used dowels may not be as reliable as before. Therefore, simply installing a cornice in its old place requires replacing the dowels.
Craftsmen carrying out repairs must decide whether complete dismantling of the cornice would be the simplest and most reasonable solution under the conditions of the repair being carried out. Among other things, you need to decide whether to keep the finished holes in the ceiling or re-attach the cornice, including drilling new holes for the dowels. If the load-bearing profile is completely dismantled and the holes are not preserved, it is best to move it slightly by 15-20 mm when installing it in place to avoid re-drilling the reinforced concrete floor in the immediate vicinity of the old holes.
You can perform incomplete dismantling of the cornice. This is done like this: 1. The self-tapping screws that secure the cornice to the ceiling are loosened until a gap appears between it and the ceiling within 10-15 mm. This gap is used to process the ceiling 2. The cornice is tightly wrapped with a protective film 3. After finishing work on the ceiling, the dowels are removed one by one and replaced with new ones, for which the profile can be slightly bent 4. All screws are tightened to capacity.
This method is good because you can free the ceiling from the cornice for work alone, using one stepladder. In addition, if the holes in the ceiling intended for installing dowels turn out to be clogged with finishing compounds and paint, it is very easy to find them for reuse when the profile remains in place.
If, according to the repair conditions, it is not necessary to disturb the fastening of the cornice, measures should be taken to preserve it. Here's what you can do for this: • carefully cover the cornice with masking tape, which can be easily removed after repair. It is easier to cover the side surfaces that are closely adjacent to the ceiling with narrow tape, and all other surfaces with wide tape • do not apply putty layers close to the profile • do not try to paint exactly along the edge of the profile - it is almost impossible to do this on the ceiling. It is best to carefully draw the border of the new ceiling color 1-2 mm before reaching the profile - taking into account the lighting conditions of the cornice. This border between the old and new colors will be barely noticeable in places where a shadow from the profile is formed.
Most often, the need to repair the ceiling without dismantling the cornice arises during urgent repairs. To paint the ceiling with high quality, it is necessary to paint both parts of the ceiling, separated by a cornice, using the same method, using the same techniques.
To remove or not to remove eyelets?
Many housewives worry about whether the eyelets themselves will be damaged during washing and whether they will leave rusty stains on the fabric. It is impossible to give clear recommendations here. Typically, manufacturers make these decorative elements from metal that can withstand exposure to water and does not corrode. But if there are doubts about the quality, you can remove the eyelets yourself before washing: just insert a thin object (a metal ruler or a knife) between the halves and pry one half off.
Removed eyelets can be easily put back in place after washing by placing them on both sides of the hole and squeezing until they click. There is no need to worry that the edges of the holes under the eyelets will stretch or creep away - when making such products, the holes are sealed with a special device.
