Question from Cathleen
Hi Debra,
I need help ASAP.
I recently took down several sets of curtains in my home, and they all are severely off-gassing for days, no matter how many times I have washed them in vinegar, baking soda, hung them on the wash line, etc.
I have to give up, and try to order new window curtains & blinds.
I have tried Country Curtains in the recent past, and found this same type of chemical off-gassing after washing their 100% cotton Made in USA curtains & had to return them.
Can anyone suggest who I can safely order from? Thanks so much.
Debra’s Answer
Readers? I can recommend websites, but this reader needs to know your personal experience.
I’ve purchased 100% cotton curtains at Target in the past and have had no problem with them after one wash.
I’ve also purchased cotton curtains from IKEA with no problem.
Thanks for sharing this post, it is very helpful article.
In my home I have cotton curtains from Pottery Barn, two windows have had these for quite a few years. No issues whatsoever with any odor. These are a medium heavy weight twill weave, but they do offer others.
https://www.potterybarn.com/products/cameron-cotton-drape/?pkey=e%7CCotton%2Bcurtains%7C17%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C48%7C%7C3&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH
Thecompanystore.com curtains are on three large windows in my living room, mine were purchased on clearance years ago and are linen/cotton blend. No issues whatsoever.
The all sets of cotton curtains that I have from Target are very old, no longer available.
I do have door panels from Country Curtains, but they are semi sheer, and at one point did have to return others due to odor.
Half Price Drapes in an online retailer and they once offered organic cotton drapes that are beautiful, but they don’t seem to be available currently. They will send fabric samples.
Sheets can easily be turned into curtains, use rings with clips and fold over any valance size preferred. Local seamstresses can whip up a pair of curtains in no time, fabric of your choice. Fabric stores sometimes have lists of local person who sew.
Fringed or frayed edges seem popular, but once were a necessity of budget – the selvage edge can be the long sides and the raw edges can be folded and clipped by curtain rings. Beware though that shopping in an actual fabric store can be as frought with chemicals as anywhere else, large sq footage filled with treated cloth can be hazardous – but fabiric can be ordered online and tossed into the wash.
Thrift stores, etsy, and antique shops are also ways to find non toxic window coverings.
Colors and or the common additive of ‘wrinkle free’ has made many into an impossible scenario for sensitive persons. I can relate and hope this is helpful.
Most curtains are treated. If you can find fabric you don’t react to you could make them.
I too have purchased curtains from Target (mine are cotton velvet) and they were fine after washing. One thing you might want to consider, Cathleen, is washing any new curtains with the laundry enhancer product from Enviroklenz. I do this for new clothes, because even 100% cotton clothes have fragrances from the store or warehouse where they came from, some of the finishes in the fabric might have a scent, etc. So perhaps some of the offensive scent from your curtains could be eliminated by simply using Enviroklenz in the wash. It would also probably be cheaper to try that they replacing all your curtains. 🙂 (This is assuming they are truly 100% cotton, not lined with some type of plastic backing or anything that would have a chemical odor.)