How to Remove Water Stains from Linen Curtains

How to remove water stains from linen curtains

Linen curtains can bring a beautiful natural feel to a room, keeping it warm in cold weather and cool in summer. They are also super easy to care for as they're machine washable and can even be tumble dried (if indicated on the care label).

But what happens if you have a leak in your house or water spills on your gorgeous curtains? Don't panic, we'll show you how to remove water stains from linen curtains and keep your home looking fresh and neat.

Removing water stains from linen curtains

Linen is naturally stain-resistant, but there may be a time when even this wonder-fabric succumbs to stains. Thankfully removing stains from upholstery fabrics, furniture and curtains is a pretty simple process. Follow our guide to make sure you don't damage your linen fabric and get your curtains looking as good as new again.

What causes water stains?

If you experience a water leak in your home it can wreak havoc with your soft furnishings like curtains and upholstered furniture. A water stain can also be a result of the chemicals used to purify household water as well as by the naturally occurring minerals in water and even salt residue. Condensation from windows can also make curtains damp and cause staining.

Water stains caused by contaminated water will need disinfecting before you try to remove them.

How to treat a water stain on linen curtains

Before you start the stain removal process, check whether your linen curtains can be washed in a washing machine.

Removing stains from machine washable fabrics:

• First, wash with your normal, gentle laundry detergent. This will often remove water stains.
• If this doesn't clean the affected area sufficiently fill a bucket willed with a solution of two parts water, two parts lemon juice and one part baking soda. You can also make a solution of water and distilled white vinegar. For dark fabrics, test a discreet area first to check for colour fastness. Soak your curtains for at least an hour.
• Gently wring out and run through a cool wash on your washing machine.
• Hang to air dry or finish in the tumble dryer if indicated on the curtains' care instructions.

Removing stains from non-machine washable fabric:

• Wet the affected area with cold water using a spray bottle. Make sure there is no other fabric underneath the area you're treating.
• Using a clean towel gently dab the stain to absorb the water. Do not rub as this will work the stain further into the material.
• Fill a bucket with a cleaning solution of hand-warm but not hot water and gentle laundry detergent. Soak the linen curtain - not just the stained area - for an hour.
• Remove carefully and rinse in cool water in the sink or bathtub.
• Press the excess water out, without wringing, then hang outside to drip and air dry or put in the tumble dryer if indicated on the manufacturer's label.
• Follow the first two steps for removing water stains on carpets and upholstered furniture.

Things to avoid when treating a water stained area

A water stain on very light fabric could be spot-treated with chlorine bleach but we don't recommend this on linens as it can damage the fibres.

Avoid scrubbing with any of your cleaning solutions as this can ingrain the stain further or spread it to a wider area.

Don't boil wash linen curtains, especially if they have not been pre-washed, as they may shrink and not fit your windows properly when you re-hang them.

Can you prevent water stains?

Unfortunately, it's tricky to completely avoid water stains because they are either accidental or caused by condensation, which is hard to prevent. If you notice lots of moisture on the inside of your windows you can either wipe them down each day with a towel, or invest in a dehumidifier that can extract much of the moisture from the indoor air.

Keep checking your curtains and try to catch any stains early. It is always easier and more effective to treat stains as soon as they appear.

For more tips on cleaning linens go here, and browse our beautiful linen curtain collection here.