How to Wash Blackout Curtains at Home Without Damaging the Blackout Coating

Last Updated on: July 4, 2026

If you’ve ever wondered how to wash blackout curtains at home without ruining their light-blocking power, you’re not alone. Blackout curtains are different from regular curtains because of their special fabric and backing, which can include foam, a rubberised coating, or a thermal liner. Washing them the wrong way — with hot water, bleach, or high heat — can crack, peel, or shrink this delicate layer. The positive news is that with the right cold-water wash, mild detergent, and proper drying method, you can keep your blackout curtains clean, soft, and working perfectly for years to come.

What Are Blackout Curtains Made Of? (Why Washing Method Matters)

Blackout curtains are usually made from thick fabric like polyester, a cotton blend, or velvet. They also have a special backing — foam, rubber, or a thermal liner — that blocks out light. This backing is the reason blackout curtains need gentle washing. If you wash them the wrong way, the backing can peel, crack, or stop working.

Blackout curtains are not like normal curtains. They have two parts working together: the outer fabric and the inner backing. Knowing what your curtains are made of helps you pick the right way to wash them, so you don’t damage the fabric or ruin the blackout coating.

Fabric Types

Most blackout curtains are made from polyester, because it is strong and holds its shape well. Some are made from a cotton blend, which feels soft but can shrink if washed in hot water. Fancier blackout curtains use velvet, which looks nice but needs extra care, since velvet can lose its texture if washed the wrong way. A few curtains use a triple-weave fabric, which is thick and tightly woven to block more light.

Backing Types (Foam, Rubberised, Thermal Lining)

The backing is what really blocks the light. Some curtains have a foam backing, which is soft but can crack if it gets too hot. Others use a rubberised coating, which is strong but can peel if scrubbed too hard. Some blackout curtains have a thermal liner instead, which helps keep rooms warm or cool, as well as dark. No matter which backing your curtains have, washing them gently in cold water is the safest choice.

Check the care label first.

Before you wash blackout curtains, always look for a care label. This small tag tells you if your curtains can go in the washing machine, need hand washing, or should only be dry cleaned. Following the label helps you avoid ruining the fabric or the blackout backing.

The care label is usually sewn into the bottom corner or side seam of the curtain. It uses small pictures, called symbols, to show you exactly how to clean the curtains safely. Reading this label first can save you from a costly mistake.

Common Care Symbols

A tub symbol with a hand inside means “hand wash only”. “A tub with an X means do not wash. A circle means “dry clean only”. A circle inside a square shows tumble drying is safe, while a crossed-out version of that same icon means you should skip the dryer.Numbers inside the tub symbol show the safest water temperature.

No Label? Do a Spot Test

If your curtains don’t have a care label, don’t guess. Instead, do a small spot test. Wet a hidden corner of the curtain with cold water and a tiny bit of mild detergent. Wait a few minutes, then check for colour fading, shrinking, or damage. If nothing changes, it’s likely safe to wash the whole curtain the same way.

How to Machine Wash Blackout Curtains (Step-by-Step)

To machine wash blackout curtains, remove the hooks, place the curtains in a mesh laundry bag, and wash them on a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water and a mild, bleach-free detergent. Use a low spin speed and skip the dryer—air-dry the curtains instead to protect the blackout coating.

Machine washing is the easiest way to clean blackout curtains at home, as long as you follow the right steps. Since blackout curtains have a backing that blocks light, using the wrong settings on your washing machine can cause the coating to peel, crack, or wear out faster. Here’s how to do it safely, step by step.

Step 1: Remove Hooks, Rings, and Hardware

Before washing, take off any hooks, rings, or clips attached to the curtains. Leaving hardware on can scratch the fabric or get stuck in the washing machine drum.

Step 2: Use a Mesh Laundry Bag

Place the curtains inside a mesh laundry bag or a clean pillowcase. This protects the fabric and blackout backing from rubbing against the sides of the washing machine, which can cause cracking or peeling.

Step 3: Choose a Gentle or Delicate Cycle

Adjust your washer to the delicate or gentle setting. This cycle uses less movement and less spinning, which is safer for the blackout lining and thermal backing.

Step 4: Wash in Cold Water

Always use cold water, not warm or hot. Hot water can shrink the fabric and damage the foam or rubberised backing. Cold water keeps the curtains safe and helps prevent colour fading.

Step 5: Add a Mild, Bleach-Free Detergent

Use a small amount of mild detergent that does not contain bleach or harsh chemicals. Bleach and strong stain removers can break down the blackout coating over time.

Step 6: Set a Low Spin Speed and Air-Dry

Choose a low spin speed to avoid stressing the fabric. Once the wash is done, do not put the curtains in the dryer. Instead, hang them up to air dry, ideally right after the cycle ends, so wrinkles don’t set in.

How to Hand Wash Blackout Curtains

To hand wash blackout curtains, fill a tub or basin with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent. Gently swish the curtains in the water, rinse well, and avoid wringing or scrubbing. Hand washing is the safest choice for delicate fabrics like velvet or curtains without a care label.

Some blackout curtains are too delicate for a washing machine, especially those made from velvet or curtains with a thick thermal lining. Hand washing gives you more control, so you can clean the fabric without putting too much stress on the blackout backing.

Step 1: Add Cold Water to a Basin

Use a bathtub, large basin, or sink filled with cold water. Cold water is gentle on both the fabric and the blackout coating.

Step 2: Add a Mild Detergent

Mix in a small amount of mild, bleach-free detergent. Too much soap can leave a residue that’s hard to rinse out.

Step 3: Gently Swish the Curtains

Submerge the curtains and gently move them around in the water with your hands. Avoid rubbing, scrubbing, or twisting the fabric, as this can damage the coating.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly

Drain the soapy water and rinse the curtains with clean, cold water until no soap remains.

Step 5: Remove Water Without Wringing

Softly squeeze the curtains against the tub wall to push out extra water. Do not wring or twist them, since this can crack the blackout backing.

How to Spot Clean Blackout Curtains (Between Full Washes)

To spot clean blackout curtains, blot the stain gently with a clean cloth dipped in cold water and a little mild detergent. Work from the outside of the stain toward the center, and avoid rubbing hard, since this can damage the blackout coating. Spot cleaning is perfect for small stains without washing the whole curtain.

You don’t always need a full wash to keep blackout curtains looking clean. Spot cleaning is a quick way to handle small spills, dust marks, or stains as soon as they happen, without stressing the fabric or backing.

Step 1: Blot the Stain First

As soon as you notice a stain, gently press a dry, clean cloth on it to soak up any liquid. Don’t rub yet, as rubbing can push the stain deeper into the fabric.

Step 2: Mix a Mild Cleaning Solution

Mix a little gentle detergent into some cool water. Dip a clean, white cloth into the mixture, and squeeze out the extra liquid so the cloth is just damp.

Step 3: Gently Dab the Stained Area

Dab the stain gently, working from the outer edge toward the center. This stops the stain from spreading. Avoid scrubbing, since hard rubbing can wear down the blackout coating.

Step 4: Let It Air Dry

Once the stain is gone, let the area air dry naturally. Do not use a hair dryer or any heat source, as heat can damage the backing.

Can You Dry Clean Blackout Curtains?

Yes, most blackout curtains can be dry cleaned, and it’s often the safest choice for delicate fabrics like velvet or curtains with a thick thermal lining. Dry cleaning uses special solvents instead of water, so it won’t shrink the fabric or damage the blackout backing.

Some blackout curtains are too delicate to wash at home, especially fancy fabrics or curtains marked “dry clean only” on the care label. In these cases, taking your curtains to a professional dry cleaner is the safer option.

When to Choose Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning works best for curtains made from velvet, curtains with a thick thermal liner, or curtains that don’t have a care label at all. It’s also a good choice if your curtains are very heavy or have detailed stitching that could get damaged in a washing machine.

What Happens During Dry Cleaning

A professional dry cleaner uses gentle chemical solvents instead of water to remove dirt and stains. This process is softer on the blackout coating and helps prevent shrinking, fading, or cracking. When you drop off your curtains, tell the cleaner they are blackout curtains so they know to use a gentle setting.

Drying Blackout Curtains the Right Way

The safest way to dry blackout curtains is to air dry them, not tumble dry them. Heat from a dryer can melt, crack, or peel the foam backing, rubberized coating, or thermal liner inside the curtain. Hanging your curtains up right after washing also helps prevent wrinkles and keeps the fabric hanging straight.

How you dry blackout curtains matters just as much as how you wash them. The blackout backing — whether it’s foam, rubber, or a thermal lining — reacts badly to high heat. That’s why almost every curtain fabric, from polyester to cotton blends to velvet, does best with a low-heat or no-heat drying method.

Air Drying

Right after washing, hang the curtains back on a curtain rod, a clothesline, or a drying rack while they’re still damp. This lets gravity naturally pull out wrinkles as the fabric dries. Try to keep the curtains out of direct sunlight while drying, since strong UV rays can fade the color and weaken the fibers over time. If you’re drying indoors, a well-ventilated room with good airflow will speed up the process without using heat.

Ironing Tips

If your blackout curtains look wrinkled after drying, you can iron them — but only on the fabric side, never directly on the backing or lining. Set your iron to a low or medium heat setting, and consider placing a thin cloth between the iron and the curtain for extra protection. Ironing directly on the blackout coating can melt or warp it, so always double-check which side is safe to press.

Common Problems After Washing

After washing, blackout curtains can sometimes shrink, peel, feel stiff, smell odd, or lose a grommet. Most of these problems have a simple fix at home, like gently stretching the fabric, using fabric glue, or airing the curtains out for a day.

Shrinking

If your curtains shrink a little, gently stretch the damp fabric back to its original size and let it air dry flat. Always avoid hot water and high heat, since these are the main causes of shrinking.

Peeling or Cracking Lining

A peeling blackout coating can be fixed with a small amount of fabric glue applied along the edges. For larger damage, a professional cleaner can repair the lining safely.

Stiffness

Stiff fabric usually means detergent residue. Wash the fabric one more time using cold water, or pour a little fabric softener into the final rinse.

Lingering Odor

If curtains still smell after washing, hang them outside in fresh air for a day or two. A light fabric spray can also help remove trapped odors.

Loose Grommets or Rings

Loose curtain rings or grommets can be tightened with a needle and thread or fixed using fabric glue for a quick, no-sew repair.

How Often Should You Wash Blackout Curtains?

Blackout curtains generally need a wash every three to six months, or yearly if dust buildup stays fairly minimal. Homes with pets, allergies, or heavy sunlight exposure may need to wash their curtains more often to keep them fresh and free of dust and allergens.

How often you wash blackout curtains depends on where they hang and how they’re used. A curtain in a busy living room will collect more dust and dirt than one in a rarely used guest room, so cleaning frequency isn’t the same for every home.

General Washing Schedule

For most households, washing blackout curtains every 6 to 12 months is enough to keep them clean and working well. This schedule helps remove built-up dust, allergens, and odors without overwashing the fabric, which can wear down the blackout coating faster than needed.

When to Wash More Often

If you have pets, live in a dusty area, or someone in your home has allergies, washing every 3 to 4 months is a better choice. Curtains near a kitchen or a smoking area may also need more frequent cleaning, since they absorb smells and grease faster than curtains in other rooms.

Maintenance Between Washes

Regular vacuuming with a soft brush attachment or a quick dusting with a microfiber cloth can keep curtains looking fresh between full washes. This simple habit reduces how often you need to deep clean, which also helps the blackout backing last longer.

Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Blackout Curtains

The biggest mistakes when washing blackout curtains are using hot water, bleach, high heat in the dryer, and skipping the care label. These mistakes can crack the blackout coating, shrink the fabric, or ruin the curtain’s ability to block light completely.

Even careful homeowners make small errors that damage blackout curtains over time. Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing the right washing steps, since one wrong choice can undo all your careful cleaning.

Using Hot Water

Hot water is one of the fastest ways to damage a blackout lining. It causes the fabric to shrink and can melt or warp the foam backing, rubberized coating, or thermal liner inside the curtain. Always stick to cold water, no matter which washing method you choose.

Using Bleach or Harsh Detergent

Bleach, strong stain removers, and detergents with optical brighteners can break down the blackout coating and fade the fabric color. A mild, bleach-free detergent is always the safer choice for these curtains.

Tumble Drying on High Heat

Putting blackout curtains in a hot dryer is a common mistake. High heat can crack the backing, shrink the fabric, and warp the curtain’s shape permanently. Letting curtains air dry usually works far better.

Ignoring the Care Label

Skipping the care label is risky, since different fabrics like polyester, cotton blends, and velvet each need different care. The label tells you exactly what your curtains can handle, so ignoring it increases the chance of permanent damage.

Overloading the Washing Machine

Cramming too many curtains into one load stops them from cleaning properly and puts extra stress on the fabric and machine drum. Washing curtains in smaller batches protects both the curtains and your washing machine.

Conclusion

Learning how to wash blackout curtains at home doesn’t have to feel confusing once you understand what your curtains are made of and how to care for them properly. By checking the care label, using cold water, choosing a mild detergent, and air drying instead of tumble drying, you can keep your blackout curtains clean, fresh, and fully working for years without damaging the fabric or the blackout backing. Whether you machine wash, hand wash, or spot clean, following these simple steps will help you avoid common mistakes and keep your curtains blocking light just as well as the day you got them.

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