How to easily get dust, dirt off of your drapes without ruining them, video tutorial

The floors are vacuumed, the clothes are laundered and the toilets are scrubbed. A clean house feels like a deep breath of fresh air, but there might be some places that have gone overlooked for too long. For example, your drapes. The window coverings can house a lot of dust, dirt and pet fur and may be long overdue for a good cleaning.

Depending on the size of your curtains, getting them all washed and dried can be a time-consuming process. If you’re unable to dive into a full wash and dry, consider a faster, temporary solution: vacuuming your drapes.

Watch this video to see how to clean your drapes at home.

How to clean curtains at home

Check the care tag on your curtains. Most can be machine-washed, but some will need to be hand-washed.

Whether you’re hand-washing curtains or putting them in the machine, the first step is to get the dust off. Vacuum them or take them outside and give them a good shake.

Next, pretreat any stains with your favorite stain remover.

If you’re machine-washing your drapes:

• Don’t overcrowd the machine.
• Choose the correct washing settings for the fabric and color of your drapes.
• Go easy on the laundry detergent.
• Add a laundry booster to help eliminate any odors.

Use a large storage bin, sink, bathtub or basin to hand wash the curtains.

Some fabrics can be tumble-dried. Otherwise, let them air-dry in the sunlight. If the dried drapes have wrinkles, this is the time to iron or steam them.

Reviewed-approved laundry recommendations

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Reviewed helps you find the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of home experts are always testing new washing machines , irons and more so you can shop for the best of the best.

• Editor's Choice dryer balls: Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
• The best stain-removing detergent: PersilProClean
• A supersized laundry backpack: Azhido 115L Extra Large Laundry Backpack
• Lingerie bags for all your delicates: Bagail Mesh Bag Set
• A sweater-saving fabric shaver: Conair Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover

For a quicker clean, give the drapes a vacuum and a steam. Steaming is an easy way to deodorize and sanitize with just water.

Many steamers have an attachment designed to be used on fabrics. Just make sure your curtain’s fabric can handle water and heat. If you’re unsure, do a spot test on a small corner.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to easily get dust, dirt off of your drapes without ruining them, video tutorial