How to turn darkening curtains from stiff to flexible?

You May be able to wash them, and not dry them. Check the tag to see. That worked wonders for ours.

I understsnd that soaking hard blue jeans in salt water softens them so perhaps it woyld work on stiff curtains as well.

Hi Tonya!

I just did the same exact thing last year and no matter what I did to them they stayed as stiff as they were when I bought them. I

bought these and I'm in love with them! You'd never know they were blackout curtains but they truly are and their soft and pretty. I'm posting the link just in case nothing works on the stiff ones you bought and you want to change them out!

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Darkening-Blackout-Curtain-Backs/dp/B06Y33ZJDX?th=1

Recently I bought room darkening curtains and they were too stiff too. I first washed them with a little detergent and some fabric softener but they still felt too stiff. I left them in the machine and started the "Rinse & Spin" cycle but when it stopped filling with water I opened the lid and added 1 cup of softener and let them soak overnight. It seems to help make them less stiff. I am happier with them now. I probably could of made them even less stiff if I had added either more softener or repeated it again. Good Luck!

Here are a few suggestions for how to make stiff darkening curtains more flexible:

1. Wash the curtains: Sometimes, washing curtains can help to soften and relax the fabric, making them more flexible. Use a mild detergent and a cool or lukewarm water setting on your washing machine.
2. Dry the curtains on a low heat setting: After washing, tumble dry the curtains on a low heat setting to help soften the fabric. Avoid using a high heat setting, as this can cause the curtains to become stiffer.
3. Use a fabric softener: Add a fabric softener to the rinse cycle of the washing machine or use a fabric softener spray on the curtains after washing. This can help to make the fabric softer and more flexible.
4. Iron the curtains: If the curtains are still stiff after washing and drying, you can try ironing them on a low heat setting to help relax the fabric.
5. Hang the curtains up: If the curtains are still stiff, try hanging them up for a few days before using them. The weight of the curtains may help to soften and relax the fabric, making them more flexible.

Please remember to follow the care instructions on the curtains to ensure that you don't damage the fabric.

I had some cheap walmart curtains that were so stiff they looked bad hanging up. I washed them and put a lot of fabric softener into the washer. It did the job. Adding vinegar is supposed to help also but the fabric softener really helped.