How to Get Smells Out of Curtains
Your curtains hold a stale smell of cooking, smoke, or general staleness because fabric hanging in a room quietly absorbs airborne odors and dust over months. Vacuum them, then wash or steam them for the fabric, and they freshen.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why curtains hold smells
Curtains are large fabric surfaces that catch cooking grease, cigarette smoke, and dust, and they rarely get cleaned. The smell builds up and then re-releases into the room.
Smoke in particular clings to the fibers and is slow to leave. Cleaning the fabric, not just airing the room, is what clears it.
How to clean them, step by step
- Check the care label. Some panels are machine washable, while lined or heavy drapes are often dry-clean only, and heat can shrink them.
- Vacuum first. Use the upholstery attachment to pull out the dust that holds odor.
- Wash or steam. Machine wash washable panels on a gentle, cool cycle with mild detergent and vinegar in the rinse. For dry-clean-only drapes, steam them in place or have them cleaned.
- Deodorize in place. Lightly mist with a fabric-safe deodorizer or a water-and-vinegar mix, testing a hidden spot first, or hang them outside to air.
- Rehang slightly damp. Put washed panels back up while still a little damp to reduce wrinkles, and let them finish drying on the rod.
A garment steamer refreshes without a full wash. Steaming curtains in place lifts odor and relaxes wrinkles, which is handy for drapes you cannot machine wash.
Keep them from coming back
Vacuum curtains monthly and wash or steam them a couple of times a year.
Run the range hood while cooking and ventilate the room, so less grease and smoke settle into the fabric.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the smell in the curtains handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your living room, Room Service fits well. It is cozy and sweet, with vanilla, almond milk, white tea, and tonka bean, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
Can I machine wash curtains?
Many lightweight panels can be washed on a gentle cool cycle, but check the label. Lined and heavy drapes are usually dry-clean or steam only.
How do I get smoke smell out of curtains?
Vacuum them, then wash washable panels with vinegar in the rinse, or steam and air out dry-clean-only drapes. Heavy smoke may need professional cleaning.
How often should I clean curtains?
Vacuum monthly and deep clean a couple of times a year, more often in a kitchen or a home with smokers.
Can I steam curtains while they hang?
Yes, a garment steamer works on hanging curtains to lift odor and wrinkles without taking them down.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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