Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on damp, warm, and dark surfaces, such as curtains. Mildew can cause unpleasant odors, stains, and health issues, such as allergies, asthma, and infections. Therefore, it is important to remove mildew from curtains as soon as possible.
However, washing curtains can be a hassle, especially if they are large, heavy, or delicate. Washing curtains can also damage the fabric or cause shrinkage or fading. So, how can you remove mildew from curtains without washing them? Here are some effective methods that you can try at home using some natural or household products.
How to remove mildew from curtains without washing in a nutshell:
- Vacuum or brush off any loose mildew with a stiff brush.
- Spray or dab the affected area with vinegar, bleach, borax alternative, or rubbing alcohol.
- Let the solution sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Wipe off the solution with a damp cloth or sponge.
- Dry the curtains thoroughly with a fan, a hair dryer, or by hanging them outside.
How to remove mildew from curtains with vinegar
Vinegar is a natural and eco-friendly product that can kill mildew and neutralize its odor. Vinegar is acidic and can help restore the pH balance of the fabric and prevent color fading or yellowing. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for this method. Here’s what you need to do:
- Remove the curtains from the rod and lay them on a flat surface covered with plastic sheeting or newspaper. If you can’t remove them, you can work on them while they are hanging, but be careful not to drip vinegar on your floor or furniture.
- Vacuum or brush off any loose mildew with a stiff brush. Be gentle and avoid damaging the fabric.
- Fill a spray bottle with undiluted vinegar and spray it generously over the mildewed area. Alternatively, you can dab the vinegar with a cloth or a sponge. Vinegar is safe for most fabrics, but you may want to test it on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t damage your curtains.
- Let the vinegar sit for 15 to 30 minutes to kill the mildew and dissolve its stains and odors.
- Wipe off the vinegar with a damp cloth or sponge. You may need to repeat this step until all the mildew is removed.
- Dry the curtains thoroughly with a fan, a hair dryer, or by hanging them outside in direct sunlight.
How to remove mildew from curtains with bleach
Bleach is a powerful product that can kill mildew and remove its stains and odors. However, bleach can also be toxic and harmful to your health and the environment, so you should use it with caution and follow the safety instructions on the label. Bleach can also damage some fabrics or cause discoloration or yellowing. Therefore, you should only use bleach on white or colorfast curtains. Here’s what you need to do:
- Put on your safety goggles and rubber gloves to protect your eyes and skin from the bleach. Open the windows and turn on a fan to ventilate the room and avoid inhaling the fumes.
- Remove the curtains from the rod and lay them on a flat surface covered with plastic sheeting or newspaper. If you can’t remove them, you can work on them while they are hanging, but be careful not to drip bleach on your floor or furniture.
- Vacuum or brush off any loose mildew with a stiff brush. Be gentle and avoid damaging the fabric.
- Mix one part bleach with four parts water in a spray bottle or a bowl. Bleach is very strong and can damage your curtains if used undiluted. You may want to test it on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t damage your curtains.
- Spray or dab the bleach solution over the mildewed area. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes to kill the mildew and remove its stains and odors.
- Wipe off the bleach solution with a damp cloth or sponge. You may need to repeat this step until all the mildew is removed.
- Dry the curtains thoroughly with a fan, a hair dryer, or by hanging them outside.
How to remove mildew from curtains with borax alternative
Borax alternative is another natural and eco-friendly product that can kill mildew and remove its stains and odors. Borax alternative is alkaline and can help soften hard water and boost the cleaning power of other products. You can find borax alternative in most supermarkets or online retailers. Here’s what you need to do:
- Remove the curtains from the rod and lay them on a flat surface covered with plastic sheeting or newspaper. If you can’t remove them, you can work on them while they are hanging, but be careful not to drip borax alternative on your floor or furniture.
- Vacuum or brush off any loose mildew with a stiff brush. Be gentle and avoid damaging the fabric.
- Mix three tablespoons of borax alternative with one cup of vinegar and three cups of water in a spray bottle or a bowl. This will create a powerful solution that can kill mildew and remove its stains and odors.
- Spray or dab the solution over the mildewed area. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes to kill the mildew and dissolve its stains and odors.
- Wipe off the solution with a damp cloth or sponge. You may need to repeat this step until all the mildew is removed.
- Dry the curtains thoroughly with a fan, a hair dryer, or by hanging them outside.
How to remove mildew from curtains with rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another product that can kill mildew and remove its stains and odors. Rubbing alcohol is also known as isopropyl alcohol or surgical spirit. It is a flammable and volatile substance that can evaporate quickly and leave no residue. However, it can also be toxic and harmful to your health and the environment, so you should use it with caution and follow the safety instructions on the label. Rubbing alcohol can also damage some fabrics or cause discoloration or yellowing. Therefore, you should only use rubbing alcohol on white or colorfast curtains. Here’s what you need to do:
- Put on your safety goggles and rubber gloves to protect your eyes and skin from the rubbing alcohol. Open the windows and turn on a fan to ventilate the room and avoid inhaling the fumes.
- Remove the curtains from the rod and lay them on a flat surface covered with plastic sheeting or newspaper. If you can’t remove them, you can work on them while they are hanging, but be careful not to drip rubbing alcohol on your floor or furniture.
- Vacuum or brush off any loose mildew with a stiff brush. Be gentle and avoid damaging the fabric.
- Dilute rubbing alcohol with water in a ratio of one to one in a spray bottle or a bowl. Rubbing alcohol is very strong and can damage your curtains if used undiluted. You may want to test it on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t damage your curtains.
- Spray or dab the rubbing alcohol solution over the mildewed area. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes to kill the mildew and remove its stains and odors.
- Wipe off the rubbing alcohol solution with a damp cloth or sponge. You may need to repeat this step until all the mildew is removed.
- Dry the curtains thoroughly with a fan, a hair dryer, or by hanging them outside.
Conclusion
Mildew can be a nuisance that can ruin your curtains and affect your health. However, you don’t have to wash your curtains to get rid of mildew. You can use some natural or household products, such as vinegar, bleach, borax alternative, or rubbing alcohol, to kill mildew and remove its stains and odors from your curtains without washing them.
We hope this post has helped you learn how to remove mildew from curtains without washing them and save your drapes from ruin. Remember, prevention is better than cure, so try to keep your curtains dry and well-ventilated to avoid mildew growth in the first place.
Do you have any other tips or tricks for removing mildew from curtains without washing them? Share them with us in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out our website for more home hacks and decor ideas. Huetifulhomes.com is your one-stop shop for all things home-related. Whether you need some inspiration, advice, or products, we have it all for you. Visit us today and make your home huetiful!
