Side-by-side comparison
The table compares three common methods. It does not rank them: the right choice depends on the label and on the curtains themselves.
| Point | Dry cleaning | Machine or hand washing | On-site steam cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it is done | At the cleaner's premises | At home or by a cleaner | In your home |
| Curtains taken down | Yes | Yes | Often not; ask |
| Care label | Must allow or require dry cleaning | Must allow washing | Ask whether steam suits the label |
| What to ask or check | How lined and heavy curtains are handled | Temperature, cycle and drying method on the label | How long drying takes |
Curtain dry cleaning or washing: what the label says
The care label decides, so follow it. It is a more reliable guide than how the fabric looks or feels.
- Dry clean only. Do not wash the curtains, at home or anywhere else. Book curtain cleaning with a company that dry cleans, and tell them what the label says.
- Washable. Follow the label's temperature, cycle and drying instructions, whether you wash the curtains yourself or a cleaner does.
- Unsure. If there is no label, or the curtains are lined or have a blackout backing, ask the cleaner which method they would use and why.
Fabric labels and what to check
Before you wash curtains at home or hand them to a cleaner, check each panel.
- Find the label on every panel. Panels bought at different times may carry different labels. Check the side hems and near the header tape.
- Check the lining. Note whether each panel has a sewn-in lining or a blackout backing, and mention it to the cleaner.
- Check the tape and hooks. Remove hooks and rings before cleaning, and look for loose stitching on the header tape.
- Test colour fastness. If you plan to wash at home, dampen a hidden corner and press a white cloth against it. If colour comes off on the cloth, do not wash the panel; ask a cleaner instead.
If curtains are part of a bigger clean, see the spring cleaning checklist.
Shrinkage, lining and heavy curtains
Curtain shrinkage is a common concern with washing, and no fixed figure applies to every curtain.
A lined curtain has two layers sewn together, and heavy panels are awkward to wash and dry at home. Ask the cleaner how they handle these: which method they use, how they dry them and what happens if a panel comes back shorter.
Cleaning curtains in place
If your curtains are hard to take down, some companies publish on-site or steam cleaning lines. One company lists S$20 to S$25 per set (2 pieces) for on-site day curtains. Another lists From S$69 for curtain steam, printed without a unit, so ask what that figure covers.
Ask whether the method suits your care label and how long the curtains take to dry.
While they dry, let air move through the room. NEA says occupants of residential homes can improve ventilation by opening doors and windows, and that fans can help air circulate when needed.
Published curtain cleaning rates
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published curtain cleaning rates
For the most common unit (per piece), the lowest published rates from 6 companies run from S$10 to S$25. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a market average or a quote.
See 10 published curtain cleaning rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlphaKleen Services | Day/Sheer Curtain Washing | S$10 to S$30 per piece | alphakleen.sg |
| Cotton Care | Light Day Curtains (Less than 1kg) | S$10 per piece | cottoncare.com.sg |
| Clean Care Pte Ltd | Day curtains cleaning | S$13 per piece | cleancare.com.sg |
| Upward Cleaning Services | Curtain Cleaning Singapore | From S$18 per piece | upwardcleaning.sg |
| Scrubbys | Curtains (per piece) | S$20 per piece | scrubbys.sg |
| Singapore Carpet Cleaning Pte Ltd | Day curtains, on-site cleaning | S$20 to S$25 per set (2 pieces) | carpet-cleaning.com.sg |
| Three Butlers | Curtains Cleaning | From S$25 per piece | threebutlers.com.sg |
| Sureclean | Curtain cleaning | From S$35 | sureclean.com.sg |
| Detail Freak | Mattress/Upholstery/Curtain Steam Clean | From S$50 | detail-freak.com |
| CleanAxisCo. Pte Ltd | Curtain steam | From S$69 | cleanaxisco.com.sg |
Ten companies publish a curtain cleaning line. Six of them price per piece, and their lowest published rates run from S$10 to S$25 per piece.
The per-piece lines read, as printed: S$10 to S$30 per piece (day or sheer curtains); S$10 per piece (light day curtains under 1kg); S$13 per piece (day curtains); From S$18 per piece; S$20 per piece; and From S$25 per piece. The S$10 to S$30 range is a single company's line.
The other four use different units. One prices per set: S$20 to S$25 per set (2 pieces) for on-site day curtains. Three are printed without a unit: From S$35; From S$50; and From S$69 for curtain steam.
No line separates dry cleaning from washing. None prices lined, blackout or heavy curtains separately, or taking curtains down and rehanging them. Ask which method each company uses and what the rate includes. For other jobs, see home cleaning prices.
NEXT STEP
See home cleaning companies with their published prices, the areas they say they cover and their sources.
Compare cleaning companiesWhich one should you choose?
Start with the label, then look at the curtains themselves.
The label says dry clean only
Use a cleaner that dry cleans, and share the label wording when you book. Do not wash them yourself.
Washable sheers and day curtains
If the label allows washing, you can wash them yourself by following its instructions, or ask a cleaner. Test colour fastness first, and measure before and after.
Heavy or lined curtains
Ask a cleaner how they handle lining and weight. These are harder to manage at home, so a cleaner is often the simpler route.
Curtains you cannot take down
Ask about on-site or steam cleaning, and check that the method suits the label. If the rail or brackets need attention first, see curtain installation.
Between cleans, see curtain care between cleans.
If a dispute arises after a clean, the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) explains your options.
Questions
Can I wash curtains labelled dry clean only?
No. If the label says dry clean only, do not wash the curtains at home or ask for them to be wet washed. If the label is missing or hard to read, treat the curtains as unknown and ask a cleaner which method suits them.
Do curtains shrink when washed?
They can, and shrinkage is a common concern with washing, but no fixed figure applies to every curtain. Follow the label's temperature and drying instructions, measure each panel before and after cleaning, and ask the cleaner how they handle lined and heavy curtains.
How much does curtain cleaning cost per piece?
Six of 10 companies with a curtain cleaning line price per piece, and their lowest published rates run from S$10 to S$25 per piece. The others price per set or are printed without a unit. No line separates dry cleaning from washing, so ask what the rate includes.
Can curtains be cleaned without taking them down?
Yes, some companies publish on-site or steam lines. One lists S$20 to S$25 per set (2 pieces) for on-site day curtains. Ask whether the method suits your care label and how long drying takes, and open doors and windows to let air move while the curtains dry.
How often should curtains be cleaned?
There is no fixed interval. It depends on how much dust reaches the curtains, whether anyone smokes at home and whether anyone in the household has allergies. Check them when you clean the room, and book a clean when they look dull or smell stale.
Do curtain cleaners take down and rehang curtains?
No published line prices taking curtains down or rehanging them, so ask whether it is included before you book. Also ask who removes and replaces the hooks. If the rail or brackets are loose, they may need fixing before the curtains go back up.
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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