I hand wash lots of things that say dry clean only.

I steamed my curtains recently and it didn't work so well and the creases weren't nearly as bad as yours! I found my bedroom curtains unwrinkled themselves by being closed often but the living room curtains (which stay open for the most part) won't unwrinkle, steaming et. al. It's driving me crazy!

and sales of handheld steamers skyrocket! :)

What brand did you look for? What features should we consider?

I just usually run an iron over my new curtains before I hang them up.

I've also had to do the same to tablecloths.

Yeah, I would've taken an iron to them (on the silk setting). Steaming takes too much time.

I 'steam' curtains, tablecloths, etc, by throwing them in the dryer with a damp washcloth. Tumble 20 minutes or so, then remove and install. Works like a charm!

I LOVE my steamer... and no its not weird or anything, I've been known to iron king sized sheets. now I just need a handheld little baby vacuum :)

PS. while traveling I put my wrinkled clothes on a hanger in the bathroom at the hotel. Turn on the shower with hot hot water and leave it for 10-15 minutes. No wrinkles. Works every time like a charm.

As a window treatment specialist, I've found that ironing them is far easier, quicker, and gives a better result.

This post makes me look bad. I bought new cotton canvas curtains from West Elm in the spring, and they still look wrinkly. Does anyone know if using a hairdryer on wrinkles works? I remember seeing the wedding planner do that on the veil for my sister's wedding.

Anyone know where to get the stencil for those rings in the first pic? I fell in love with them from the "Time Consuming" post and asked there but got no love.. Thanks in advance!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/diy/passing-the-time-during-time-intensive-projects-155698

Much easier to toss them in the dryer with one damp hand towel and one dry full-sized towel. Maybe one curtain at a time.

Last night I ironed my roman shades... while they were still hanging on the windows. I pressed a piece of cardboard behind the shade to be a makeshift ironing board. They're not perfect, but much much better.

http://theyellowcottage.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/roman-shades/

I usually just mist them with water and let them hang, then steam out any persistant wrinkles once they're dry.

It's only useful purpose my cat sprayer has ever served.

And here I'm still using the old curtains that came with the house!

Curtains, table cloths, bedding...no wrinkles allowed! We got a steamer as a wedding present and I looove it.

That's really nice, but I never got around to steaming or ironing my wrinkly out-of-the-package silk dupioni drapes. I don't own a hand steamer and they are just too long (and lined) to flat iron. Anyhoo, 10 months later and they are just about shaking out from their own weight. I guess I could buy a hand steamer, maybe.

I got a steamer from Walmart..yuck! but anyway, It works wonderful. I use it for drapes and sheets. It works fast!! and it was about $5

Yeah I haven't gotten the wrinkles out of my new linen curtains yet, too scared to put them in the dryer, plus I have to take them down to hem them anyway... eventually.

I thought everyone ironed curtains before hanging.

Mind = blown.

You're right, Jason, the difference is substantial. The one on the right looks lovely.

i agree with juliet leanne! i was once told by someone that using his towel after purchasing it left lint all over his body... to which i asked, "did you wash them before you used them?!" and the response was "no".... mind blown.

I am a compulsive iron-er---I can't bear wrinkles. So I would have ironed/steam-pressed those curtains. I do need to buy a quality steamer, though.

A review of hand steamer would be nice.

My standing commercial steamer is my favorite appliance in the house. I got addicted to them while working in theater, and now I use it for everything. At this point I almost never use my iron unless I'm sewing something.

I'm ashamed to admit that I throw silk into the washing machine on cold-delicate then smooth out by hand, hang to dry, and hope for the best.

Shabby chic?

I, too, have steamed wrinkles from my curtains. Hand held steamers are great, but mine takes a while to heat up, which is annoying.

people, just misting with a spray bottle does the trick as well! don't kill yourself over it.

I work for a high end upholstery company in Southern California that also makes drapes. This is an essential detail that will make a difference in the life and care of your window treatments. Once a year we usually go on site to several of our clients to steam their drapes. We also clean & wax the rod so the drapes move freely and don't stick. The Rowenta hand steamer works wonderfully.

I treated myself to some beautiful Madura curtains not too long ago... ironed them gingerly before I put them up, some creases came out but not completely. Creases STILL haven't relaxed! Am ordering a handheld steamer immediately.

I have a Conair steamer that I love so much, but when I moved to an area where the water was heavily chlorinated (and whatever else they treat it with)... I noticed a lot of buildup inside the water tank... I started using brita water inside and helped greatly. I steam all my clothes so I noticed a big difference afterwards.

Also... I've been browsing through your posts and haven't found anything yet so I hope I can ask. I LOVE that glimpse of your walls in the first pic of you steaming. Is it a wallpaper? Can you share?? I want it!

@pvhike---more, please. Can you tell us what products are used to clean and wax the rods?

@Danny & Carlos - the ring stencil is probably from http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/stencil-stencils-metro.html?category_id=12. I used the acacia stencil in my last apartment, and it turned out so well. Didn't take a lot of time either! (and only half of a quart of paint for one medium-sized wall)

I've misted and used my hair straightener to de-wrinkle before. I did it with curtains and clothes in college - worked surprisingly well. Just make sure the straightener is on low.

Just a quick tip for keeping your curtains sliding easily on the rod, rub the tops of the rods with wax paper at least once a year (spring cleaning time?).

Put them in the dryer on low, remove promptly and lay flat until you are ready to hang - voila! Next time you'll save a bundle of time!

Guilt!!! I immediately put up my white silk drapes to block some of the light in my bedroom (too many neighbors with security lights etc.) and never took them back down in three years -- still wrinkled! (I expected the wrinkles to hang out, but it didn't happen.) Now I'd want to clean them before pressing or applying steam, so any dust doesn't stain them. I'm so ashamed! ;^)

@chelsevans85 It's a shame you probably won't see this post, but Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! That's exactly what I was looking for! :)