Dry cleaning curtains in the UK typically costs £6 to £18 per square metre, which works out at roughly £25 to £150 per pair depending on size, fabric and lining. The same by-the-item pricing applies to other big dry-clean jobs, like a coat or a wedding dress. A standard pair of lined living-room curtains usually lands somewhere around £40–£70. Before you book, though, it’s worth knowing that many curtains labelled “dry clean only” can actually be washed carefully at home — potentially saving the whole bill.
Net curtains are a different, more delicate job — see our guide to cleaning net curtains and getting them white again.
Duvets are another big dry-clean-or-wash decision — and washing usually wins. See our guide to cleaning a duvet.
This guide gives you the real UK price breakdown (by fabric, size and lining, plus what pushes the cost up), then answers the question everyone actually wants answered: can you wash “dry clean only” curtains instead? The honest answer is “often, but not always” — and getting it wrong shrinks or ruins them, so we’ll be clear about which fabrics you can risk and which you genuinely can’t.
How much does it cost to dry clean curtains in the UK?
Most UK dry cleaners price curtains by the square metre rather than per pair, because a “pair of curtains” ranges from a small bedroom window to a full-height bay. Expect £6–£18 per square metre, with the price driven by fabric, lining and how much handling the curtains need.
| Curtain type | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Basic unlined | £3.70–£6 per m² (avg ~£4.85) |
| Basic lined | £4.25–£7 per m² (avg ~£5.60) |
| Heavy, interlined or delicate fabric | Up to £15–£18 per m² |
| Standard lined pair (living room) | ~£40–£70 per pair |
| Large or full-height bay pair | £80–£150+ per pair |
What pushes the price up: lining and interlining (more fabric, more weight), delicate materials like silk and velvet that need careful handling, large drops and widths, stain or odour treatment, and collection-and-delivery or take-down-and-rehang services. Some cleaners charge a minimum order, so a single small pair can cost more per square metre than a big order.
How to work out your curtains’ square metreage
Measure the full width of the curtain (flat, not gathered) and the drop, multiply them, and double it for a pair. A pair each 1.4m wide × 2.2m drop is about 6.2m²; at £6/m² that’s around £37, at £10/m² around £62. Getting a rough figure yourself before you phone round means you’ll spot an over-quote instantly.
Dry cleaning vs washing curtains at home: the real cost
| Professional dry cleaning | Washing at home | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £25–£150 per pair | A few pounds (detergent + energy) |
| Safe for | Everything, including silk, velvet, wool, interlined | Cotton, polyester, most unlined synthetics — with care |
| Shrinkage risk | None | Real — especially cotton and lined curtains |
| Effort | Drop off / collection | Take down, wash, dry, rehang — a half-day job |
| Best for | Delicate, valuable, heavily interlined or genuinely dry-clean-only fabrics | Everyday washable curtains and tight budgets |
The saving from washing at home is real and large — but so is the risk if you misjudge the fabric. The rest of this guide is about judging it correctly.
Can you wash “dry clean only” curtains at home?
Sometimes — and it’s the difference between a few pounds and a £70 bill. But “dry clean only” is on the label for a reason, and some fabrics genuinely can’t be washed. Here’s the honest split:
| Never wash — dry clean only | Can often be washed with care |
|---|---|
| Silk | Cotton (with shrinkage caution) |
| Velvet, velour, chenille | Polyester and most synthetics |
| Wool and wool blends | Unlined linen (may shrink) |
| Tapestry and brocade | Nylon / acrylic |
| Interlined curtains (the layers shrink differently) | Cotton-poly blends |
| Anything with glued or bonded backing | Machine-washable-labelled fabrics |
The two big risks when you wash instead of dry clean are shrinkage (the fabric and lining shrink at different rates, so lined curtains pucker) and colour loss or fabric damage (dyes run, delicate fibres break down). The “dry clean only” label exists because the manufacturer knows the fabric won’t survive water and agitation reliably. If the curtains are expensive, irreplaceable, silk, velvet or interlined — pay for dry cleaning; it’s cheaper than replacing them.
Always test first: dab a hidden corner (behind the hem or where it meets the lining) with a damp white cloth and a spot of detergent. If colour transfers to the cloth or the fabric marks, stop — those curtains are dry-clean-only for real.
How to wash washable curtains at home
If your fabric is on the washable side and passes the test patch, here’s how to do it without wrecking them:
- Take them down and shake or vacuum off the dust first. Curtains hold a startling amount — washing them dusty just makes muddy water. Use the upholstery tool along the tops and hems.
- Remove hooks, rings and weights, and unclip detachable linings to wash separately.
- Wash cool and gentle: 30°C, delicates or hand-wash cycle, mild detergent, no fabric softener build-up. Cool water is the single biggest shrinkage-preventer.
- Don’t overload — curtains need room to move, and a packed drum creases them badly.
- Skip the tumble dryer. Heat is what shrinks curtains. Hang them damp — ideally back on the pole (see below) or over a drying rack — and let gravity pull the creases out.
The rehang-damp trick: for many curtains, hanging them back up while still slightly damp lets their own weight drop the creases out as they dry, often saving you ironing entirely. It’s the same principle we use for shower curtains and washable blinds.
If your curtains are dry-clean-only but you want to try the gentlest possible home approach, our guide to dry cleaning at home covers home dry-cleaning kits and steaming — lower risk than washing, though still not risk-free on true dry-clean-only fabric.
Freshening curtains without washing or dry cleaning
Most curtains don’t actually need a full clean nearly as often as people think — they need dust removed and odours lifted. Between proper cleans:
- Vacuum them monthly with the upholstery brush, top to bottom — this alone keeps them fresh and stops dust setting into stains.
- Steam them in place with a clothes steamer to freshen, kill some bacteria and drop creases without taking them down. Safe for most fabrics; test velvet first.
- Tumble on air/no-heat for washable curtains — 15 minutes with a damp cloth in the drum shakes out dust and refreshes them with zero shrink risk.
- Spot-treat marks promptly rather than waiting for the annual clean — a small stain dealt with early rarely needs professional attention.
Do this and a full dry clean becomes a once-a-year or even less-often job, which is where the real saving is.
How often should you dry clean curtains?
Less often than most people assume. A full clean once every one to two years is plenty for most living-room curtains, provided you vacuum them regularly in between. Clean them sooner if you’re in a smoking household, have pets, cook a lot near the windows (grease drifts and settles), or suffer with dust allergies — curtains are a major dust and allergen reservoir, which is the real health argument for keeping them clean. Kitchen and bathroom curtains need more frequent attention because of grease and moisture; bedroom curtains, the least.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to dry clean curtains in the UK?
Typically £6 to £18 per square metre, or roughly £25 to £150 per pair depending on size, fabric and lining. A standard pair of lined living-room curtains usually costs around £40–£70. Large bay-window or heavily interlined curtains sit at the top of the range, and collection, take-down and stain treatment add to the price.
Can you wash dry clean only curtains?
Some, but not all. Cotton, polyester and most synthetic curtains can often be washed carefully at home despite a “dry clean only” label, but silk, velvet, wool, tapestry and interlined curtains genuinely can’t — they shrink, pucker or lose colour. Always test a hidden corner with a damp cloth and detergent first; if colour transfers, don’t risk it.
Why are some curtains dry clean only?
Because the fabric or construction won’t survive water and agitation reliably. Delicate fibres like silk and velvet mark or crush, wool shrinks, and interlined curtains have layers that shrink at different rates and pucker. Dry cleaning uses solvent rather than water, so it cleans these fabrics without the shrinkage and colour-loss risks of washing.
Is it cheaper to wash curtains or dry clean them?
Washing at home costs a few pounds versus £25–£150 to dry clean, so it’s far cheaper when the fabric allows it. The catch is risk: shrinkage and colour loss can ruin curtains worth far more than the saving. For everyday cotton and synthetic curtains, wash at home; for silk, velvet, wool or interlined, pay for dry cleaning.
Will washing curtains shrink them?
They can, especially cotton, linen and lined curtains where the fabric and lining shrink at different rates. Minimise the risk by washing cool (30°C), on a gentle cycle, and never tumble-drying — heat is the main culprit. Hang them to dry, ideally back on the pole while slightly damp so their weight pulls them back to length.
How do you dry clean curtains at home?
True dry cleaning uses solvent and professional equipment, but home dry-cleaning kits (used in the tumble dryer) and a clothes steamer can freshen and lightly clean many curtains without water. They’re lower risk than washing dry-clean-only fabric, though not risk-free — for silk, velvet or valuable curtains, professional cleaning remains the safe choice.
Can you machine wash dry clean only curtains?
Only if the fabric is genuinely washable (cotton, polyester, synthetics) and you use a cool, gentle cycle after testing a hidden patch. Never machine wash silk, velvet, wool, tapestry or interlined curtains — the agitation and water will shrink or damage them. When in doubt, a hand wash or professional clean is the safer route.
How do I get creases out of curtains after washing?
Hang them back up while still slightly damp and let their own weight drop the creases out as they dry — this saves ironing on most fabrics. For stubborn creases, a clothes steamer run down the hanging curtain works without the crushing risk that an iron poses to velvet and textured fabrics.
How often should curtains be cleaned?
A full clean every one to two years suits most living-room and bedroom curtains, as long as you vacuum them regularly in between. Clean more often with pets, smokers, kitchen grease or dust allergies, since curtains trap a lot of dust and allergens. Regular vacuuming and occasional steaming stretch the interval and cut the cost.
Do dry cleaners take curtains down and rehang them?
Many offer a take-down, clean and rehang service, and some include collection and delivery — but it costs extra on top of the per-square-metre cleaning price. If you’re comfortable taking them down and putting them back yourself, dropping them off is cheaper. Ask for the full price including any handling charges before booking.
Leave a Reply