When it comes to cleaning our homes, curtains can easily be overlooked. But their position near windows and doors makes them a magnet for dust and dirt, which accumulates on the fabric over time. 

With new research from Shutterly Fabulous finding that 68% of Brits admit to infrequently washing their curtains or dusting their blinds every few months, this build up of dust and dirt can be particularly troublesome if you have allergies, and could even be harbouring dust mites. 

Because of how tiny the animals are, dust mites are practically impossible to spot with the naked eye. But if you’re experiencing symptoms like sneezing, coughing or itchy eyes, it might be a sign that they’re hiding in your curtains. 

Managing director of Shutterly Fabulous, Sam Tamlyn, explained: “Curtains act as a magnet for allergens. Dust mites, pet dander and pollen can settle into the fabric and, when disturbed, these particles become airborne, worsening allergy symptoms.” 

There are a few cleaning methods that will stop them from coming back, but if you are facing an invasion of dust mites in your home, Shutterly Fabulous has shared one way to remove them instantly. 

Often used to smooth out wrinkled clothes, Shutterly Fabulous has recommended using a steam cleaner for curtains and blinds to instantly remove any dust mites that might be hiding there. 

Going over curtains every three to six months with a handheld steamer or garment cleaner, allows the steam to infiltrate into the fabric by holding it close and covering the entire surface. 

Steam is a particularly effective method of cleaning dust mites from curtains as the temperature is lethal to the creatures, but it’s not the only way to remove them.

Using a vacuum cleaner once or twice a month with an upholstery attachment and HEPA filter will also remove any dust build up on curtains, preventing dust mites from festering in the fabric. 

It’s worth noting that curtains and blinds require slightly different care. Blinds should be regularly dusted, and gone over with a damp cloth and detergent to prevent any build up, while curtains can be thrown in for a machine wash on a gentle cycle. 

But the most effective way of removing dust mites from your home is with heat, so if you don’t have a steamer, washing curtains at 60C will effectively kill dust mites instead.