In this guide

Curtain Cleaning Cost by Type

There are various types of curtains, from eyelet to tab top, and the cost of cleaning each varies depending on the type. This is because different cleaning methods are better suited to different types. The table below shows some common curtain types, their best cleaning methods, and average prices:

Rod-Pocket (Cased Heading) Curtains

These are among the simplest and most common types, and they are also known as pole top or casement curtains. They slip right onto the curtain rod and hide it from view without any additional hardware. This makes them relatively simple to clean with standard dry cleaning, costing between $60 and $120 per set.

Tab Top Curtains

Tab top curtains, sometimes known as back tab curtains, also do not need hardware. They feature little loops or tabs that hook right onto the curtain rod with ease. They are relatively affordable and easy to clean through standard dry cleaning, costing around $60 to $120 per set.

Flat Roman Curtains

These curtains are made of one simple, flat piece of material that folds up to open or falls to cover a window. Since flat Roman shades are simple, without any folds or pleats, they do not need to be taken away for specialized cleaning and are cleaned on-site. You need to pay a small premium for this, but the job is done much faster. They cost approximately $75 and $125 per set.

Pleated Curtains

They are highly popular due to their elegant appearance and wide range of styles but are tricky to clean because it is easy for dust and dirt to accumulate in between the pleats. If not cleaned, mold and mildew might appear there too. For this reason, pleated curtains require a specialized form of dry cleaning for a longer period of time than a standard dry clean. This usually costs $80 to $130 per set.

Hobbled Roman Curtains

Unlike flat Roman curtains, hobbled Roman curtains have folds where dust and dirt are more likely to gather. This increases the need for a more thorough cleaning. A specialized dry cleaning process is usually required, costing between $80 and $130 per set.

Eyelet (Grommet) Curtains

These are among the most expensive to clean because they have hardware built into their design. They have little rings fitted in the top that slide onto the curtain rod or pole. The presence of this hardware complicates the cleaning process, so most professionals choose to clean grommet curtains by hand. Prices range between $100 and $150 per set.

Cost of Dry Cleaning Curtains

In general, the cost of dry cleaning curtains ranges from $60 to $150 per set, depending mostly on the curtain type, material, and the level of cleaning. Certain curtain types or particularly dirty curtains need to be dry cleaned for longer or may require lower temperatures and pressing to reduce the risks of shrinkage and wrinkles, which adds to the cost.​

Curtain Cleaning Cost by Material

The curtain material also has an impact on the cleaning cost because different methods work better for different materials. Some materials like silk are more delicate and require specialized care. The table below shows common curtain materials, complete with the best cleaning methods and average costs per set:

Cotton drapes and curtains are easily machine washed if they are unlined. If they have linings, they need more specialized forms of cleaning. Standard machine washing for a set of cotton curtains costs between $60 to $95 per set. Polyester curtains are usually very easy to clean with a simple machine wash, costing between $60 and $95 per set. Like cotton and polyester, linen is a strong material that does not require specialized dry cleaning and is cleaned thoroughly in a machine, costing around $60 to $95 per set.

Chenille curtains are best-suited to dry cleaning but do not require any special products or cycles. They are relatively affordable to clean, costing between $60 and $120 per set. Like chenille, velvet curtains are well-suited for dry cleaning, usually costing between $60 and $120 per set.

Wool and cashmere curtains should always undergo specialized dry cleaning due to their delicate nature, costing between $80 and $130 per set. Chiffon is one of the more delicate materials, so it needs to be handled with care and usually hand-washed, at a cost of $100 to $150 per set.

Voile is also a very delicate material that is easily damaged through machine washing or dry cleaning. Therefore, it should be washed by hand at a cost of $100 to $150 per set. Lace is another fragile material, so it should be hand washed for around $100 to $150 per set.

Cost to Dry Clean Silk Curtains

Silk curtains should usually be hand-washed because silk is such a delicate material, and this costs between $100 and $150 per set. However, it is possible to use specialized dry cleaning chemicals on silk curtains for a potentially cheaper price.

How Often Should I Wash My Curtains

In general, experts recommend cleaning curtains two times per year. So, you might want to clean them every six months, although some prefer cleaning on an annual basis. However, the regularity of your curtain cleaning should increase if you have a smoker in the home or live in an area that leads to your curtains getting dirty more often. For example, if you live near the sea, the salty air may lead to your curtains requiring more frequent cleaning. It is also recommended to clean them more often if you have allergy sufferers in the home because pollen and dander build up on curtains over time.

How to Remove Paint From Curtains

If you paint near your curtains and a few drops or splashes of paint accidentally fall onto the fabric, act fast and clean off the stains as quickly as possible. The longer you wait, the more time the paint has to dry, leading to a trickier job when you remove it. If the paint is still wet, scrape some of it off with a knife or other tool, and rinse off the affected area with warm water. Soapy warm water may be used to gently rub away settled stains, and adding a little acetone helps too. If the stains have set or dried and do not come off or you are worried about damaging the curtains, call in a professional.

Blind Cleaning Cost by Type

Like curtains, blinds are found in a wide variety of types, from classic Venetian blinds to Roman blinds and more. The type of blind you have affects the recommended cleaning method and total cleaning cost, as shown in the table below.

Cost of Dry Cleaning Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are often well-suited to dry cleaning because they are usually made from one simple piece of fabric that is easily removed and carefully cleaned with effective chemicals. The cost for a typical set of Roman blinds is usually between $100 and $150.

Venetian Blind Cleaning Costs

Usually, the best option for Venetian blinds is ultrasonic cleaning, which costs between $120 and $200 for a standard-sized set. You may also opt to clean these blinds with hot water and bleach or other cleaning products, depending on the material.

Vertical Blind Cleaning Costs

Vertical blinds tend to be well-suited to ultrasonic cleaning. This is relatively expensive, costing between $120 and $200 for a typical set, but it provides a deep and thorough clean to remove dust, dirt, allergens, and stains.

Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning Prices

Ultrasonic blind cleaning is becoming more popular these days, involving the use of high-frequency sound waves to break down tough stains, kill pathogens, and remove dirt and dust. It is more expensive than standard blind cleaning or dry cleaning, but it offers great results and a very thorough clean, costing between $120 and $200 for a standard-sized set.

Drapes Cleaning Cost

Drapes are mostly made from the same materials like curtains and tend to be cleaned in the same ways, like dry cleaning and hand washing. Prices tend to be very similar, but drapes are often longer and larger than curtains and lined, so it may be more expensive to wash on average.

Cost to Dry Clean Drapes

Depending on the material, some drapes may be dry clean only or best-suited to dry cleaning in general. The cost for dry cleaning drapes ranges from around $75 to $200 per set, but the price is influenced by factors like the drapery size, material, lining, and how dirty they are.

Off-Site vs. On-Site Drapery Cleaning

Most drapery cleaning companies offer to clean your drapes on-site at your home or off-site at their cleaning facilities. Often, you pay extra for on-site cleaning, but it is much faster and more convenient, with the average job being done in just a few hours. Off-site cleaning takes a few days because the drapes are removed, transported, cleaned, brought back, and rehung. Expect to pay an extra $25 to $60 per set for on-site cleaning.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Drapery Cleaning

The total cost of drapery cleaning varies based on a range of factors. The size of your drapes or curtains are often one of the most important factors, and some companies charge per foot, while others charge per set. More sets lead to higher prices, but many companies offer discounts if you request cleaning multiple sets.

The materials and types of curtains or drapes also have an impact on the final costs. For example, delicate silk or voile drapes are more expensive to clean than simpler cotton or polyester variants. More intricate drapery designs like pleated drapes cost more to clean than simple flat pieces of fabric.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Rehanging

Many companies offer to remove and rehang your drapes or curtains as part of the total cost. Others, however, charge an additional fee for rehanging after cleaning. This fee is usually about $20 to $35 per set.