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How To Remove Yellow From Old Polyester Curtains

Sharon Sweeny

Old polyester tends to yellow with age and repeated laundering. There’s a simple way to remove the yellow from your old polyester curtains and it doesn’t involve any scrubbing or hard work. Follow the simple instructions below and your old yellowed curtains will soon look fresh and new.

  1. Fill a laundry tub or other container with about 4 to 5 gallons of hot water.

  2. Dissolve ½ cup of electric dish washing detergent into the hot water. Stir well until dissolved.

  3. Place curtains into the mixture, pushing down so that they are completely submerged. Allow them to soak for 8 to 24 hours, depending on how yellow they are.

  4. Remove the curtains to an empty bucket. It is not necessary to wring them out. Bring the bucket to the laundry room.

  5. Fill your washing machine with hot water, adding laundry detergent and chlorine bleach according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Add the curtains to the machine and launder as usual.

  6. Warning

    Do not use products containing ammonia with chlorine bleach; the combination produces a toxic gas that can cause permanent lung damage.