Contact Us

Help & FAQs

Homefair Blinds & Shutters Home
0800 111 2223
OUR SHOWROOMSBOOK AN APPOINTMENT

FAQs

How to Get Musty Smell and Mould Out of Curtains

Quick Answer

  1. Take down the curtains and shake them outside to remove loose mould spores before treating.
  2. Spray affected areas with white vinegar or a diluted mould remover, then leave for 15 minutes.
  3. Wash at the highest temperature the fabric care label allows, with a biological detergent.
  4. Dry fully in fresh air or a well-ventilated space before rehanging to stop the smell returning.

Musty curtains are almost always a moisture problem. Condensation, poor ventilation, or curtains left damp after cleaning gives mould the conditions it needs to take hold.

The good news is that most cases respond well to a basic treatment at home, without needing to bin the curtains and start again.

What You’ll Need

Tools

  • Stiff-bristled brush (for dry-brushing loose mould outdoors)
  • Spray bottle
  • Washing machine (or access to a large sink/bath for hand washing)
  • Clothes airer or outdoor line

Materials

  • White distilled vinegar
  • Biological laundry detergent
  • Bicarbonate of soda
  • Oxygen-based stain remover or mould spray (for stubborn patches)
  • Rubber gloves
  • Old towels or sheeting (to protect floors when treating in situ)

How to Fix It: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Remove and Inspect the Curtains Outside

Get the curtains outside before you do anything else. Dry-brushing mould indoors releases spores into the air, which you don’t want landing on furniture or being breathed in.

  1. Unhook or unclip the curtains and carry them outside while folded
  2. Shake them out and use a stiff brush to remove any dry, surface mould
  3. Check the full length of the fabric, including the lining, tops, and hem where moisture often collects
  4. If mould patches are extensive or the fabric smells heavily of damp, plan for a soak, not just a quick wash

Step 2: Pre-treat the Affected Areas

A pre-treatment breaks down the mould before washing and deals with the smell at the source. Plain washing without this step often leaves a faint musty odour behind.

  1. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar and apply directly to mouldy patches
  2. Leave for at least 15 minutes before moving on
  3. For heavier staining, apply an oxygen-based stain remover or a dedicated mould treatment and follow the product instructions
  4. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda lightly over smelly areas and leave for 30 minutes to draw out odour, then brush off before washing

Step 3: Wash at the Correct Temperature

Check the care label first. Washing too hot can shrink, warp, or ruin certain curtain fabrics, but washing too cool won’t kill the mould.

  1. Most cotton and polyester curtains tolerate 40-60°C
  2. Lined or interlined curtains often need a cooler or hand wash setting
  3. Add a good biological detergent plus half a cup of white vinegar directly into the drum (not the drawer)
  4. For large or heavy curtains that won’t fit your machine, take them to a laundrette with a commercial drum, or hand wash in the bath with warm water and detergent
  5. If the curtains are dry clean only and show visible mould, take them to a professional dry cleaner and flag the issue directly

Step 4: Dry Fully Before Rehanging

This is where most people undo their good work. Rehanging damp curtains in a poorly ventilated room is a fast route back to the same problem.

  1. Hang outdoors on a line in direct sunlight where possible. UV helps kill residual mould spores
  2. If drying indoors, use an airer in a well-ventilated room with a window open
  3. Don’t bunch the fabric together. Spread it out so air can circulate
  4. Check the lining separately if the curtains are lined. Linings hold moisture longer than face fabric
  5. Only rehang once completely dry throughout

Still have questions?