How often to clean
Curtains are among the most neglected textiles in most homes. They are washed or cleaned significantly less often than the frequency that their actual soil accumulation warrants. A curtain hanging in a typical Kolkata living room for 12 months has filtered thousands of cubic metres of air, accumulated significant dust, absorbed cooking and incense smoke, and in monsoon months, absorbed and released moisture repeatedly.
Dust and particulate matter from outdoor air. Cooking vapours and grease, particularly in rooms adjacent to kitchens. Incense and candle smoke. Biological material — mould spores, bacteria, dust mites — particularly during the monsoon. Body oils from contact during drawing and closing. UV degradation from direct sunlight.
Which cleaning method
The cleaning method depends on the curtain fabric. Most homes have a mix of curtain types that require different approaches.
| Curtain type | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton or linen | Machine wash (cool, gentle cycle) | Check care label; may shrink slightly |
| Polyester | Machine wash | Straightforward; rehang while damp to minimise creases |
| Silk | Dry clean only | Water causes permanent damage to silk curtains |
| Velvet | Dry clean only | Water crushes velvet pile irreversibly |
| Lined curtains | Dry clean (check lining type) | Lining and outer fabric may shrink differently if washed |
| Embroidered or embellished | Dry clean | Embellishments require inspection before cleaning |
Kolkata-specific considerations
Kolkata's climate creates specific curtain care challenges. The monsoon introduces high humidity that curtains absorb and release — this cycle of wetting and drying stresses the fabric and creates conditions for mould growth in curtains that are not regularly cleaned and aired.
"In Kolkata, curtains that are not cleaned before the monsoon go into the most humid four months of the year carrying the previous season's dust and soils. By October, they are among the most heavily soiled textiles in the house."
The practical implication: May is the ideal month to clean curtains before the monsoon. October is the ideal month to clean them after. If annual cleaning is the schedule, May is the better choice — clean curtains going into the monsoon are less susceptible to mould and dust accumulation during the season.
What the process involves
Curtain dry cleaning at The Swiss Laundry follows the same professional process as garment dry cleaning. The curtains are inspected on arrival, any specific soiling noted, and the correct cleaning parameters set. The cleaning cycle uses professional hydrocarbon solvent in an enclosed machine. After cleaning, the curtains are dried in the machine and then pressed on professional pressing equipment.
After cleaning — rehanging
The final step in curtain care is often done incorrectly. A curtain collected from the dry cleaner and left folded on a chair for three days develops new, sharp fold lines that require steaming to remove. Curtains should be rehung within 24 hours of collection — the fabric settles naturally when hanging and any minor residual creases fall out over the first day.
Do not draw newly-cleaned curtains in direct strong sunlight for the first 48 hours — the fabric needs to settle into its hanging position first. Do not use fabric fresheners or sprays on freshly cleaned curtains — they are already clean and the spray adds residue.
The Swiss Laundry accepts curtains of all fabric types — silk, velvet, cotton, lined, embroidered. Standard turnaround 48–72 hours depending on fabric complexity and volume. Doorstep pickup available for curtains across 30+ Kolkata areas. Call 9836233354 to arrange collection.