How to measure curtains for cleaning

01Why curtains are priced by area

Curtains come in every size, from a small kitchen café curtain to floor-to-ceiling drapes in a Victorian bay. A single price per curtain would be unfair to everyone, so most curtain cleaners price by area, usually in square metres. That way a small curtain costs little and a huge one costs more, in proportion to the fabric that has to be cleaned, dried and pressed.

For you, this means a few minutes with a tape measure before booking gives an accurate quote, with no surprises when the curtains are collected. It also helps to note a few details about each curtain: what it is made of, whether it is lined, how it hangs and its condition. Together, these help the cleaner choose the right method and give you a fair price.

This guide explains how to measure each type of curtain, how to calculate square metres, what details to note, and how measuring before cleaning gives you a record you can check afterwards.

02What you need

• A metal tape measure, at least three metres long, or a cloth tape for curtains already taken down.
• A notepad or a note on your phone.
• A camera or phone for photos.
• A sturdy step ladder if measuring curtains that are still hanging.
• A helper for large or heavy curtains.

03Measuring the width

The width is the most common source of mistakes. Curtains hang in folds, so their width on the pole is much less than the width of the fabric. Cleaning is priced on the fabric, so you need the flat width.

04Measuring the drop

The drop is the length of the curtain from the top to the bottom.

• Measure from the very top of the heading, including any frill above the hooks, to the bottom of the hem.
• If curtains have tie-backs, measure them untied.
• For curtains that pool on the floor, include the full length of fabric.
• For curtains still hanging, measure from the top of the heading to the hem along the edge, not from the pole.

05Calculating square metres

Convert both measurements to metres, then multiply.

06Different headings

07Details to note for each curtain

Area is only part of the picture. Note these details too, because they affect how the curtains are cleaned and sometimes the price.

• Fabric, if known: cotton, linen, velvet, silk, polyester, a blend.
• Lining: unlined, lined, thermal lined, blackout lined, interlined.
• Heading type and whether hooks are still in.
• Any stains, sun fading, water marks or damage.
• Which window and room each curtain came from.
• Any care label information.

08Linings in more detail

The lining affects how a curtain is cleaned, so it is worth knowing which type you have.

09Curtain fabrics and why they matter

The fabric affects how a curtain is cleaned, so note it if you know it.

10Curtain care labels

Curtain care labels are often small and hidden at the bottom of a side hem or behind the heading tape. Look for:

• A washtub symbol with a temperature, meaning washable.
• A circle, meaning dry cleanable.
• A crossed-out washtub, meaning do not wash.
• Notes such as "dry clean only", "do not tumble dry" or "may shrink".

If curtains were made to measure, the maker may have records of the fabric and lining used. It is worth asking.

11Recording the condition

Before cleaning, look closely at each curtain in daylight.

• Sun fading, especially along the leading edges and the side facing the window.
• Water marks from condensation on the windows.
• Mould spots, often near the bottom where curtains touch damp sills.
• Stains from spills, pets or cooking.
• Thin or weakened fabric, particularly on old curtains exposed to strong sun.
• Loose stitching, dropped hems or damaged heading tape.

Note everything and photograph anything significant. Cleaning cannot restore sun-faded colour or weakened fabric, and it is useful for everyone to know about these before cleaning starts.

12Mould and condensation marks

Curtains in London homes, particularly in bedrooms and bathrooms and against single-glazed or older windows, often develop mould spots along the bottom edge and the side nearest the window, where condensation collects. When measuring, look carefully at these areas, front and back, and at the lining. Note and photograph any spots. Mould can often be improved by cleaning, but it can leave stains, and badly affected fabric may be weakened. Dealing with the condensation in the room, through ventilation and keeping curtains off wet sills, helps stop it coming back.

13Taking photos

Photos are a quick way to record how curtains looked before cleaning.

• Photograph each window with the curtains hanging, open and closed.
• Photograph the heading, hooks and how the cords are tied.
• Photograph any stains, fading or damage up close.
• Photograph the care label, if there is one.

These photos help rehang the curtains correctly and give you and the cleaner a shared record of their condition.

14Labelling curtains before they go

When several sets of curtains are cleaned at once, labels stop them getting mixed up.

• Pin a label or safety pin with a tag to the back of each panel, near the heading.
• Write the room, the window and the position: left, right, centre.
• Use the same names as on your recording sheet.
• Keep removed hooks in a bag labelled with the same name.

Some people use coloured thread tied to a hook position, which is useful when several identical curtains hang in different rooms.

15Bay windows and unusual shapes

London has a lot of bay windows, especially in Victorian and Edwardian houses. Bay curtains are often made as several panels on a curved or angled track, and they can be large.

Measure each panel separately, flat, as with any curtain. Note the order of the panels from left to right, and which section of the bay each one hangs in, so they can be rehung correctly. Some bay windows have a single wide curtain that runs around the whole curve; lay it flat across the floor of a large room to measure, or measure in sections and add them.

16Voiles, nets and sheers

Voiles, net curtains and sheer curtains are lightweight and usually unlined. They are measured the same way: flat width times drop. Because they are fine and often gathered heavily, their flat width can be surprisingly large compared with the window.

Note whether they are hung on a pole, a wire or a track, and whether they have a slot heading, a tape or hooks. Sheers are often more delicate than they look, especially if they are old and have been in strong sunlight, so mention their age and any thinning.

17Pelmets, valances and tie-backs

Many curtains come with extras: fabric pelmets or valances across the top of the window and matching tie-backs.

• Measure valances and fabric pelmets flat, like curtains.
• Note whether a pelmet has a stiff board or buckram inside, which may affect cleaning.
• Measure tie-backs or simply count them, since they are small.
• Keep all matching pieces together and label them.

Cleaning all the matching pieces together keeps the colour even.

18Roman blinds and other window dressings

Roman blinds, roller blinds and pleated blinds are not curtains, and many cannot be cleaned in the same way. Roman blinds have rods or battens sewn into channels, and cords at the back; some are made to be removed and cleaned, others are not. Measure them flat if they can be removed, and mention the rods and cords. Roller and pleated blinds are usually spot cleaned or cleaned by specialists. Ask the curtain cleaner which items they can take.

19Made-to-measure and expensive curtains

Made-to-measure curtains, especially interlined or silk ones, are a significant investment and deserve extra care when they are cleaned. Before measuring, find any paperwork from the maker: it often lists the fabric, lining, interlining, heading and exact finished sizes. Share this with the cleaner. Photograph the curtains thoroughly, including the hems, which on handmade curtains are often weighted at the corners. Mention the weights so they are not lost or damaged. For very valuable or delicate curtains, ask the cleaner how they would handle them and what risks there are, especially shrinkage of different layers at different rates.

20More worked examples

These examples show how area adds up for different rooms. The figures are illustrative.

21A simple recording sheet

Keep a sheet like this for each window.

Keep the sheet with your photos. Next time the curtains are cleaned, you will not need to measure again unless they have been changed.

22Quick conversions

If you measured in inches or feet, these figures help convert to metres.

To convert square feet to square metres, divide by about 10.76. For example, 70 square feet is about 6.5 square metres.

23Using the original packet or receipt

If you still have the packaging or receipt from ready-made or made-to-measure curtains, it often gives the exact flat width and drop of each curtain, along with the fabric and lining. That can save measuring altogether, as long as the curtains have not been altered or shrunk since. It is still worth checking one panel with a tape measure to be sure.

24Measuring before and after

Curtains can shrink slightly when cleaned, especially natural fabrics and those with linings that shrink at a different rate. Measuring before cleaning gives you a record to compare with afterwards.

When the curtains come back, measure them again in the same way. Small changes are normal and often relax after rehanging. If a curtain is noticeably shorter or the lining has pulled up, raise it with the cleaner promptly, with your before and after measurements.

25What else affects the price

Area is the main factor, but some details can change the price per square metre.

• Lining type: blackout, thermal and interlined curtains take more care.
• Fabric: silk, velvet and delicate fabrics may need a different process.
• Condition: heavy staining or mould may need extra treatment.
• Extras: valances, pelmets and tie-backs.
• Services: some cleaners also offer taking down and rehanging.

A good cleaner will ask about these when quoting, which is why noting them when you measure saves time.

26Getting a quote

Once you have measured, contact the cleaner with:

• The total area and the area for each curtain or window.
• The lining type for each.
• The fabric, if known.
• Heading types and whether hooks are in or out.
• Any stains, fading, mould or damage, with photos.
• Any extras such as valances and tie-backs.

A clear set of measurements and photos lets the cleaner give an accurate quote before collection, so there are no surprises later.

27Safety when measuring hanging curtains

Measuring curtains still on the pole, or taking them down to measure, often involves a ladder.

• Use a sturdy step ladder on a level floor, never a chair or a stool.
• Do not overreach; move the ladder instead.
• Have a helper hold the ladder and take the weight of heavy curtains.
• Take care near windows, especially upstairs and in tall rooms.
• Keep children and pets out of the way.
• If curtains are very heavy or very high, consider asking for help from someone experienced.