How to fix it
Work through these in order, the most common causes come first.
Why Blackout Curtains Wrinkle More
Backing weight and stiffness.
A laminated or lined backing does not spring back from a fold the way a lightweight single-layer fabric does, so creases from packaging, shipping, or storage tend to be deeper and more visible.
Washing and drying habits.
Leaving a wet, folded curta in in the washer, or using a hot dryer cycle, sets creases into the fabric more permanently than air drying on the rod.
Tightly folding a spare panel into a small square for storage creates sharp creases that are harder to release than the loose curves from rolling or hanging.
The Right Order to Try Fixes
Start with hanging and time.
Many packaging wrinkles release substantially with in 2 to 3 days of simply hanging the curtain, no tools required.
A handheld steamer is generally the safest active method for a laminated or lined backing, since it doesn't apply the direct heat and pressure of an iron.
Use an iron only as a last resort, and only on a low setting.
Always use a pressing cloth and the lowest heat setting appropriate for synthetic fabric, since a hot iron can permanently damage a laminated backing.
Preventing Future Wrinkling
Wash cold, remove promptly from the washer, and hang to dry rather than using a hot dryer cycle.
For spare or seasonal panels not currently hung, roll rather than tightly fold them for storage.
Our picks
Products we recommend
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports.
Top pickEclipse
Thermaback backing is the most effective light and heat blocker in this list
- 52 x 84 inch single panel, grommet top
- Thermaback triple-weave blackout backing
- Blocks 98% to 99.9% of light
- Reduces energy loss through the window
- Machine washable
✓ Pros
- Thermaback backing is the most effective light and heat blocker in this list
- Noticeably reduces afternoon heat buildup in a west-facing room
- Available in dark colorways that maximize both light and heat blocking
✕ Cons
- Sold per panel, so a full pair costs roughly double the single-panel price
- Stiffer fabric hand-feel than a fabric-only curtain
Exclusive Home Curtains
Sheer overlay softens the look of the room during the day, useful for a nursery that doubles as a playroom
- 52 x 63 inch pair, hidden tab/rod pocket top
- Layered sheer overlay over a solid blackout lining
- Softer, more decorative look than a solid blackout panel
- Machine washable
- Available in multiple color combinations
✓ Pros
- Sheer overlay softens the look of the room during the day, useful for a nursery that doubles as a playroom
- Blackout lining still blocks most light once fully closed
- No cords, hangs from a rod pocket or hidden tabs
✕ Cons
- Layered construction blocks slightly less light than a solid single-layer blackout panel
- 63-inch length is short for taller nursery windows
Best overallEclipse
37-inch width is proportionally right for a narrow window, unlike bulkier 52-inch panels
- 37 x 84 inch single panel, rod pocket top
- Thermaback blackout backing
- Blocks over 99% of light
- Reduces noise and insulates against heat and cold
- Machine washable
✓ Pros
- 37-inch width is proportionally right for a narrow window, unlike bulkier 52-inch panels
- Blocks over 99% of light, matching the wider Eclipse Palisade panel
- Rod pocket top gives a traditional, gathered look that suits a small decorative window
✕ Cons
- Rod pocket top is slower to open and close than a grommet panel
- 84-inch length needs hemming for a shorter small window
FAQ
Common questions
Can I iron a blackout curta in like a regular curtain?
Only on a low heat setting, and ideally with a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric. Blackout curtains with a laminated backing (Thermaback and similar) can melt, bubble, or permanently damage the backing layer if ironed at a normal cotton or linen setting. Always check the care label first, and test a small hidden area if the label doesn't specify a temperature.
Why do blackout curtains wrinkle more than regular curtains after washing?
The added weight and stiffness from a laminated backing or sewn-in lining causes the fabric to fold and crease differently than a single-layer curta in fabric when machine washed and dried. The backing layer does not stretch back out on its own the way lighter fabrics do, which is why wrinkles from washing tend to be more visible and persistent on blackout curtains.
Does hanging a blackout curta in for a few days remove wrinkles on its own?
Often it helps significantly, especially for lighter creasing from packaging or folding, since the fabric's own weight gradually pulls out many wrinkles over several days of hanging. Deeper creases from tight folding, especially near the top or bottom hems, are less likely to fully release without steam or a low-heat iron.
Is a handheld steamer safer than an iron for blackout curtains?
Generally yes, for most blackout fabrics, since a steamer doesn't apply direct heat and pressure to the backing the way an iron does. Hold the steamer a few inches from the fabric and work in short passes rather than holding it in one spot, and always check the specific product's care instructions since laminated backings vary by brand in how much heat and moisture they tolerate.
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