Owners washing bulky curtain loads
If a curtain load fills the drum tightly, its rated weight alone is not enough to establish a good fit. Voila Voile advises against overloading a washer or using it for curtains that are too large for the machine.
Who is this for?
Hosts caring for delicate or lined curtains
You need to check the sewn label, lining and trims before choosing a programme. Plumbs’ curtain-care guidance also calls for removing hardware and following the appropriate spin and drying instructions.
Hosts working around changeover times
You may want a speed option for suitable everyday laundry, but a faster cycle is not automatically appropriate for curtains. Keep curtain washing tied to the fabric’s care instructions.
What matters when choosing?
Start with the curtain label and the bulk of a typical load. Once those are clear, compare programme controls, the machine’s installed dimensions and how its other laundry cycles fit the changeover routine.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Curtain bulk and drum space | Assess one intended load as well as the rated capacity; measure the installation space and allow for the model’s required clearance. | If my curtains crowd the drum, I need room for the fabric to move even when its dry weight is within the rating; around 39% of consumers would put practical load space first. |
| Gentle washing and spin control | Confirm a suitable delicate programme and adjustable or no-spin settings, then follow the curtain’s own washing and drying instructions. | For lined or delicate curtains, I want settings that match the label rather than a standard mixed-load cycle; roughly 38% of consumers would make fabric care their primary concern. |
| Changeover and site fit | Check the duration of the programme you would actually use, the appliance dimensions and the declared information on its energy label and product sheet. | When laundry has to fit between stays and the utility space is tight, I need a machine that fits and a workable routine; around 23% of consumers would prioritise those constraints. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a 10 kg rating guarantees that a curtain pair will fit
Curtain bulk and lining can make a load too large for the drum even when its dry weight appears acceptable. Voila Voile advises against overloading the machine.
Assess the curtains you intend to wash before buying. Split a large pair where appropriate, and do not force fabric into the drum.
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Treating a quick cycle or maximum spin speed as a curtain setting
A speed feature describes a machine capability, not permission to use it on every fabric. Plumbs specifies a light spin for the curtains covered by its guidance; other curtains may have different label instructions.
Check the label and the exact model’s programme controls before selecting a wash or spin setting.
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Washing curtains with hardware or unsuitable trims attached
Hooks, rings, linings and embellishments need individual attention; a washable outer fabric does not establish that every attached part can go in the machine.
Remove detachable hardware and check the lining and trims against the curtain’s care instructions before each wash.
Relevant brands to consider
These model examples show different features worth checking; a brand name alone cannot establish whether a machine suits a particular curtain load.
Bosch
The WGH254A0GB is relevant where a 10 kg washer is needed for holiday-let laundry and a separate speed option would be useful for suitable loads.
- Bosch lists a 10 kg capacity, 1400 rpm maximum spin and 59.0 cm appliance depth for this model. Bosch says SpeedPerfect can reduce cycle time by up to 65%.
- That speed claim does not establish that a fast setting suits curtains. Check the curtain label and the model’s programme instructions.
Miele
The WEK365 WCS is relevant when documented delicate and spin controls are central to the choice of a 10 kg machine.
- Miele lists a Honeycomb drum, a Delicates programme and a no-spin function for this model.
- Neither those features nor the 10 kg rating guarantees that a bulky curtain load will fit or that its label permits machine washing.
LG
The 10 kg F4Y510GBLN1 is relevant to buyers comparing manufacturer-described fabric and load-sensing controls.
- LG says its AI Wash adjusts wash motion according to fabric weight and softness.
- LG says AI sensing is not active when Steam is selected. Check the available programme and spin settings rather than treating sensing as a substitute for the curtain label.
Hoover
The HBR 410BL8J-80 is relevant where appliance depth matters alongside a listed delicate programme.
- This 10 kg model is 51.8 cm deep, with a Delicate/silk programme.
- The spin rating is 72 dB. Check installation clearance and whether the programme’s spin options match the curtains before choosing it for a space near guest rooms.
Indesit
The IP 1046 PUSH&GO UK offers a 10 kg model to compare when straightforward controls for general laundry matter.
- A 30°C, 45-minute Push&Go cycle is designed for mixed loads.
- A mixed-load cycle should not be assumed suitable for curtains. Confirm a label-appropriate programme and spin setting separately.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Common questions
Can any washable curtain go in a washing machine?
No: check the curtain’s own label before machine washing, including any instructions for its lining and trims. Remove detachable hardware and make sure the load does not crowd the drum. Plumbs’ 30°C and light-spin guidance applies to the curtains covered by its advice, not to every washable curtain.
Is a machine with a 1400 rpm maximum spin suitable for curtains?
It can be considered if it offers a programme and spin setting that match the curtain’s label; 1400 rpm is a maximum, not a curtain-washing instruction. Miele lists both Delicates and a no-spin function for the WEK365 WCS, but the appropriate setting still depends on the curtain.
What should I check before installing a washer in a holiday let?
Measure the available height, width and depth, including space for connections and access, then follow the exact model’s installation manual. LG notes that installation steps can vary by model and directs owners to model-specific safety instructions.
Which energy information is useful when comparing UK washers?
Compare the energy label and product information sheet for each shortlisted model alongside its capacity and dimensions. GOV.UK’s energy-information guidance describes those documents for products within its scope; they do not tell you which programme a particular curtain can tolerate.
What should I arrange for an old washing machine?
Check the seller’s collection or take-back arrangements and your local authority’s options before the replacement arrives. GOV.UK identifies washing-machine disposal within its waste electrical and electronic equipment guidance; confirm the practical arrangements for your property rather than leaving the old appliance with general household waste.