To wash blackout curtains, check the care label first, then wash them in cold water with a mild detergent on a gentle cycle, or by hand if the back is coated or rubber. Skip bleach, fabric softener and high heat, and rehang them while slightly damp to dry. Hot water and the dryer are what crack the blackout lining.
Lining already cracked or letting light in? Book a free measurement for new blackout curtains, or send a photo on WhatsApp and we’ll tell you whether a new lining will do.
Blackout curtains collect a lot in Dubai. Dust blows in from the balcony, cooking smells settle in the fabric, and after a sandstorm you can see the grey line along the hem. The good news is that most blackout curtains can be washed at home. The bad news is that one hot wash can ruin the coating that keeps your bedroom dark. Here’s how to do it safely.
Key Takeaways
- Check the care label and the back of the curtain first. The type of blackout decides how you wash it.
- Woven blackout curtains can usually go in the machine on a cold, gentle cycle.
- Coated and rubber-backed curtains are safer washed by hand and must never go in the dryer.
- Dry them indoors. Hanging laundry on a Dubai balcony can get you fined.
- A cracked coating can’t be washed back. That’s the time to replace the lining.
Can You Wash Blackout Curtains in the Washing Machine?
Most of the time, yes. It depends on how your curtain blocks the light. There are four common types, and each one needs different care:
| Blackout type | How to spot it | Machine wash? | Dryer? |
| Woven (triple-weave) | Feels like normal heavy fabric on both sides | Yes, cold and gentle | Lowest heat only |
| Lined | A separate lining sewn to the back | Usually, if the label allows | No, air dry |
| Foam or acrylic coated | Smooth, slightly spongy back, often white or grey | Hand wash is safer | Never |
| Rubber or latex backed | Rubbery, slightly sticky feel on the back | Hand wash only | Never |
Not sure which you have? Rub the back between your fingers. If it feels like fabric, it’s woven or lined. If it feels smooth, foamy or rubbery, it’s coated, and you should treat it gently.
How to Wash Blackout Curtains in the Washing Machine
For woven blackout curtains, and lined ones whose label allows machine washing:
- Take them down and remove hooks and removable rings. Shake them outside or vacuum them first to get rid of loose dust.
- Check for small tears or weak seams. The machine makes them worse.
- Wash one or two panels at a time. Blackout curtains are heavy and need room to move. Put them in a large mesh laundry bag if you have one.
- Use a cold or lukewarm, gentle or delicate cycle with a small amount of mild liquid detergent.
- Skip bleach and fabric softener. Both can damage the blackout layer.
- Use a low spin. A fast spin creases the fabric and stresses the backing.
- Take them out as soon as the cycle ends, so creases don’t set.
How to Wash Blackout Curtains by Hand
For coated, rubber-backed or delicate curtains, or when you’re not sure:
- Fill a bathtub with cold water and a little mild detergent. Mix it well before the curtain goes in.
- Submerge the curtain and gently press and swish it. Don’t scrub the coated back.
- Spot-clean stains by dabbing with a soft cloth and a drop of detergent.
- Leave it to soak for 10 to 15 minutes if it’s very dusty.
- Drain and rinse with clean cold water until there are no suds.
- Press the water out gently. Don’t wring or twist it, because that cracks the coating.
How to Wash Blackout Curtains With Metal Rings
Eyelet curtains are popular in Dubai apartments, but the metal rings need extra care.
- If the rings unclip or slide off, take them off before you wash.
- If they’re fixed eyelets, put the curtain in a large mesh bag or a zipped pillowcase. This stops the rings hitting the drum and damaging both the machine and the fabric.
- Wash cold on a gentle cycle with a low spin.
- Dry it straight away. Left damp, cheap metal rings can leave rust marks on the fabric, especially in humid summer months.
Shopping for new ones? Our eyelet curtains and blackout curtains come with care instructions for the exact fabric you choose.
How to Wash Rubber-Backed Blackout Curtains
Rubber or latex backing is the most delicate type. Treat it gently:
- Hand wash only, in cold water with a mild detergent.
- Never put them in the dryer. Heat makes rubber backing crack and peel.
- Don’t wring or fold them tightly while wet. The rubber can stick to itself.
- Dry them flat over a clean rack or rehang them while slightly damp, with a fan running.
- Use a steamer, not an iron, for creases.
If the backing is already flaking off in small grey bits, washing will only make it worse. That’s a sign the curtain has reached the end of its life.
How to Dry Blackout Curtains in Dubai
The easiest way is to rehang them on the track or rod while they’re still slightly damp. The weight of the fabric pulls most creases out as it dries. Open a window or run a fan to keep air moving.
Two Dubai-specific points:
- Don’t dry them on the balcony. Many Dubai communities don’t allow laundry on balconies, and residents have been warned of fines of Dh500.
- Keep them out of strong direct sun while wet. It’s tempting in Dubai heat, but wet fabric in harsh sun can fade unevenly.
In humid months, make sure they’re fully dry within a day. Curtains that stay damp against the window can grow mould spots.
Can You Iron Blackout Curtains?
Lightly, and only on the front. Use the lowest heat setting and iron the fabric side, never the coated back. A handheld steamer is safer and quicker. Hang the curtain first, then steam from top to bottom.
How Often Should You Wash Blackout Curtains in Dubai?
| Task | How often |
| Vacuum with a soft brush or shake them out | Every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Spot-clean marks | As soon as you see them |
| Full wash | Every 3 to 6 months |
| Extra wash | After a sandstorm, renovation work or if you have pets |
Washing too often wears out the blackout layer faster, so regular vacuuming is the best way to keep them fresh between washes.
Mistakes That Ruin Blackout Curtains
| Mistake | What happens |
| Hot water | The coating softens, cracks and lets light through |
| Tumble drying on high heat | Coated and rubber backs crack and peel |
| Bleach or fabric softener | Damages the blackout layer and fades the colour |
| Wringing or twisting | Creates permanent cracks in the coating |
| Overloading the machine | Curtains don’t rinse properly and crease badly |
| Ironing the back | Melts or marks the coating |
When Should You Replace Instead of Wash?
Washing can’t fix every problem. It’s time for new blackout curtains or a new lining when:
- The coating is cracked, flaking or peeling.
- You can see pinholes of light when you hold it up to a window.
- It has shrunk and no longer reaches the floor or covers the window.
- A musty smell stays even after washing.
If a curtain has only shrunk a little, our curtain alteration service can sometimes fix the length. If the blackout layer has gone, our blackout curtains start from AED 120 per square metre, made to measure. Not sure which way to go? Compare sheer and blackout curtains for a two-layer set-up, or see how much curtains cost in Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash blackout curtains in the washing machine?
Often, yes, but it depends on the type. Woven (triple-weave) blackout curtains and most lined ones can go in the machine on a cold, gentle cycle. Curtains with a foam, acrylic or rubber coating on the back are safer washed by hand. Always check the care label first.
What temperature should I wash blackout curtains at?
Cold or lukewarm, never hot, unless the care label says otherwise. Hot water can soften and crack the blackout coating and shrink the fabric.
How do I wash blackout curtains with metal rings or eyelets?
If the rings come off, remove them. If they’re fixed eyelets, put the curtain in a large mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase, wash it on a cold, gentle cycle with a low spin, and dry it straight away so the metal doesn’t leave rust marks.
How do I wash rubber-backed blackout curtains?
By hand, in cold water with a mild detergent. Don’t wring them, don’t use bleach or fabric softener, and never put them in the dryer, because heat makes rubber backing crack and peel. Dry them flat or rehang them while slightly damp.
Can I put blackout curtains in the dryer?
Only woven blackout curtains, and only on the lowest heat for a short time. Never put coated or rubber-backed curtains in the dryer. Rehanging them while slightly damp is safer and stops creases.
Can I iron blackout curtains?
Lightly, on the lowest setting and only on the front fabric side. Never iron the coated back. A handheld steamer is the safer way to remove creases.
How often should I wash blackout curtains in Dubai?
Vacuum or shake them every week or two, because Dubai dust settles fast. Wash them every 3 to 6 months, or more often after a sandstorm or if you have pets.
My blackout curtain lining is cracking. Can it be fixed?
Not by washing. Once the coating cracks or peels, light comes through and it will keep getting worse. The fix is a new blackout lining or new curtains. Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we’ll tell you which makes more sense.
New Blackout Curtains, Measured and Fitted for You
If your blackout curtains are past saving, we’ll measure your windows for free, bring fabric samples to your home and give you a clear quote. Book a free measurement or send your window sizes and photos on WhatsApp. Our team installs 7 days a week, from 9am to 6pm. See also our curtain installation service.
