“My curtains look clean. They might be a bit dusty since there’s dust on the window sills. I’ll wash them in another few months or so.”

Sounds familiar?

Well, little do you know, your curtains are silently breeding dozens of dust mites, contaminants, germs and bacteria! Not to mention the amount of dust accumulated. Yeek!

A Haven for Creepy Crawlies

Don’t fleas and bedbugs make your skin crawl?

If you haven’t been bitten by them before, count yourself lucky. These blood-sucking pests leave red marks on your skin, which can be unbearably itchy.

Fleas and bed bugs love Singapore’s hot and humid weather. If you have curtains, you should wash them often, especially if they touch the floor. 

Guest what? A female flea can lay about 40 eggs everyday, whereas bed bugs can lay up to 300 eggs, hatching in as little as 10 days. Curtains’ seams and creases are their perfect breeding grounds, so beware.

Imagine dozens of them hiding in your curtains. Shudders.

Breathing Difficulties

Have trouble breathing? Your curtains may be the culprit!

Curtains can trap a lot of allergens and dust, which may cause allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing or runny noses. 

Dusty curtains attract lots of dust mites, causing allergic symptoms. The allergic reactions from dust mites don’t come from their bites, but from inhaling their proteins found in dust mite feces, urine and decaying bodies.

In worse case scenarios, it can make your asthma symptoms worse, trigger an asthma attack or lead to an infection of your lungs (bronchitis).

Dangers of Mold & Mildew

Even without rainy weather, Singapore has a high relative humidity, conducive for mold growth. The severity of cases has also increased recently, when in the past it used to be confined to bathrooms now extend to entire bedrooms, living rooms and hallways.

Mold releases spores into the air, which can trigger asthma attacks, respiratory infections and worsen skin conditions like eczema. In extreme cases, it may even cause fatalities.

What’s terrifying is mold can reproduce rapidly and grow deep into your curtains, which can be challenging to remove. It’s advised to get a professional to remove the mould and mildew on your curtains instead of using popular remedies like vinegar or baking soda, which may not be effective if it’s overly diluted.

To spot signs of mold, look out for discolouration, white patches or dark spots. Mold growth comes in all colours, it may be black, green or even white. There might also be a whiff of a stale, musty odour from your curtains.

Hidden Health Hazards

Dirty curtains are more than just an eyesore; they can significantly impact your health over time. 

Contaminated curtain fabric can harbour germs, viruses and toxins. Some viruses can live long enough outside a human host to infect someone who touches the fabric. Due to their small size, you won’t be able to see them at all. 

For instance, the Norovirus, responsible for stomach flu, can persist on infected curtain fabric for as long as 12 days.

Now that you’re aware of the creepy crawlies and hidden dangers lurking in your curtains, it’s time to take action. Regular cleaning isn’t just about keeping your home looking good; it’s essential for your health.

Experts recommend giving your curtains a thorough clean every 6 to 12 months. But if you’ve got pets, kids, or live in a particularly dusty area, you might want to ramp up the frequency. Don’t wait until your curtains are visibly grimy—keep an eye on your health and adjust your cleaning schedule as needed.

Don’t wait for the dust and germs to take over. Make curtain cleaning a regular part of your home maintenance and keep those hidden dangers at bay.

Looking for curtain cleaning services? Book a slot with Washlab! With free pickup and delivery services at affordable rates, make an easy choice you won’t regret.