Updated at: 26-08-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Were you able to get rid of your old curtains after replacing them? A friend or family member could use your curtains when you’re remodeling. It’s also possible that you enjoy changing your home’s decor seasonally, in which case your curtains will play an important role in your design plans. You’ll need to store your unused curtains or drapes in some way if you want to preserve them in good condition.

Here are our best hints for storing your drapes carefully.

Start by cleaning your curtains

For proper curtain storage, make sure they are clean and clear of dust and stains before beginning the process. It’s worth paying a professional dry cleaner to clean them if they’ve seen a lot of action over the years. If your curtains are machine washable and you’ve been keeping them clean, this is a task that you can complete on your own with minimal assistance.

How to Store Curtains | StorageFront.com

Store the curtains away from direct sunlight

The location where you keep your curtains is critical. A cold, dry place like an attic or a dark cabinet would be good for storing items. If you don’t have access to a climate-controlled storage facility, you may want to consider hiring one if you’re worried about UV light, heat, humidity, or moisture damaging your curtains.

Avoid folding your curtains

You may be tempted to fold your curtains to save on storage space, but this isn’t a good idea. Especially if the curtains have been in storage for a long time, fold-induced wrinkles might be difficult to eliminate. If you can’t put your curtains flat, you might want to consider rolling them up like a rug instead. When you decide to take them out of storage, a loose roll will reduce the quantity of creases.

Check your curtains at regular intervals

When storing your curtains, remember that it’s not a one-and-done job! At the very least, you should examine your curtains once a year. Do a visual inspection for signs of mold or other damage to ensure the storage environment has not altered significantly. Remove any dust that has accumulated throughout the time of storage. If you’ve ever rolled or folded your curtains, now is a good opportunity to take care of any wrinkles that developed over the course of the year. When putting your curtains away, you may want to refold or roll them in a different way. Preventing big folds in one location will make it much easier to re-hang your curtains later on because of this.

Use acid-free cardboard and paper for packing

Use acid-free paper and cardboard to box and store your curtains in order to maintain them in top shape. If you don’t choose a ‘acid-free’ option, you should change your packing materials every year in order to avoid yellowing of the material over time.

Take note of your storage details

Taking notes and labeling everything you’re placing into storage is a no-brainer for some, but it’s crucial to do so. The more drapes you have in storage, the more significant this becomes. When stored curtains are out of sight and out of mind, even the most organized households can forget about them.

How to Fold Curtains? 4 Easy Steps! - Krostrade

If your curtains are properly labeled, you’ll be able to tell how long they’ve been in storage and how recently they were cleaned. Labeling will also make it easy to locate a certain item.

Hopefully, these ideas will make it easier for you to store your favorite curtains or drapes. It’s important to note that the effort spent preparing, packaging, and inspecting your curtains throughout the storage process can help preserve them for future usage.

Start with a Cleaning

Curtains should always be cleaned before being stored. If they are kept in a dirty, soiled, or wrinkled state, they may be impossible to remove later on. Do a thorough examination of your curtains, including dusting and inspecting for stains and wrinkles. After that, clean according to the steps outlined below:

  • You may be able to use a laundry stain remover and a duster to remove new stains and light debris from your curtains at home.
  • A hand steamer can be used to smooth out any new creases that may have formed.
  • We recommend having your curtain dry cleaned if you have more severe stains or wrinkles. A professional will ensure that your curtains are in pristine condition for long- or short-term storage by removing all defects.

Where to Store Curtains and Drapes

The way you store your curtains can have an impact on how long they last. Here are some things to look for in a drapery storage facility:

  • It’s pitch black or only barely lit. Protecting your curtains from UV rays, which can wreak havoc on the fabric’s color and strength, is essential. They will be protected from the sun’s harmful rays if they are in rooms with low or no light.
  • Low level of moisture in the air. Drapery should be stored in a dry, climate-controlled environment. Mold and mildew will be prevented as a result of this.
  • The location is convenient and easy to get to. Every now and again, you’ll need to check on the condition of your curtains. Choosing a storage location that you can easily access at any time is therefore a wise decision.

Wrap with Acid-Free Tissue Paper

Tissue paper is a great way to keep your curtains free of dust, fading, and other damage. To be clear, not just any type of cell is acceptable. Choosing acid-free tissue paper with the correct pH levels is critical if you want to avoid damaging your curtain fabric.

  • Use buffered acid-free tissue paper when cleaning cotton, linen, and sheer drapes. Potential deterioration can be prevented because of its pH of 7 to 9.5.
  • You must use unbuffered acid-free tissue paper with a pH of 6-7 for silk, velvet, or wool curtains. Silk and wool can be damaged by the use of buffered acid-free paper, which has a negative response with the fibers.

Fold or Hang With Care

Once you’ve decided how you’d want to save your drapes, you’ll need to pick a method.

How to Hang Curtains & Drapes for Storage

Hanging your curtains is the easiest way to keep them because it prevents them from getting wrinkled! When it comes to putting up your drapes and curtains, follow these steps:

  • Choose a heavy-duty, closed-loop curtain hanger that can hold a panel of fabric. Drapery can also benefit from the use of fabric hangers.
  • To avoid wrinkles and congestion, just hang one curtain panel per hanger.
  • Allow the panel to hang from the middle of the fabric and fold it to the width of the hanger.
  • Cover your drapes with acid-free paper.

For drapery storage, this is the ideal option, but this isn’t always the case. It might be difficult to locate a sturdy hanger for heavyweight fabrics like velvets and silks, which can take up a lot of closet space. If this is the case, folding your draperies rather than hanging them will be an option.

How to Fold Curtains & Drapes for Storage

Curtains and draperies can be folded in two ways for storage:

  • Fold the containers in half and place them inside. Continue crisply folding your curtain panel in half until you reach your chosen size to ensure correct installation. To minimize creasing, fold your paper as few times as possible and avoid pressing down after each fold. Afterwards, wrap the item in acid-free paper and store it in an airtight container to keep out any moisture. Containers coated with fabric provide additional protection against damage. Wrinkles will emerge if you try to squeeze your curtain into a space that’s too small. Stack your folded curtain panels properly, but don’t overcrowd the area.
  • Make tubes out of the rolls. Only light-weight textiles can be used for this choice, as heavier fabrics tend to produce rolls that are overly large. In the first place, make sure to get tubes that can fit your curtains in terms of length and width so that moisture can’t get past them. Before you go shopping, you might want to try them on for size and see if they’re a good fit. Then, on a big, flat, and clean surface, spread out your drapery or curtain panel. Wrap in acid-free paper after rolling into a cylinder and folding it in half until the appropriate size is attained. Put your drapes in the tube and store them away in a cool, dark location.

Curtains for Bedrooms | Stylish & Classic | Secret Linen Store

Label with Name & Date

When storing curtains, it’s a good idea to mark and date them. As a result, you should inspect them once a year to make sure they are in good working order. Make care to dust and refold your drapes as necessary. You should also keep in mind that if you use non-acid-free tissue, you’ll need to replace it every year or so.

Order Custom Curtains from Spiffy Spools

Let Spiffy Spools give your windows a new makeover with their beautiful drapery and curtain storage solutions! When it comes to creating personalized curtains, we make it simple. Whether you’re looking for something long or short, patterned or solid, we’ve got you covered.