Eco Curtains – Natural or Recycled

Finding eco friendly curtains and draperies can be a challenge when you are renovating with green choices in mind. Many fabrics are made with natural fibers; including linen, cotton, silk, hemp and wool. It may seem your options are limited, but it’s not impossible to find eco curtains. Just avoid anything that is blended with petroleum based fabrics such as polyester, rayon and nylon.

When people think of natural fibers the first to come to mind is usually cotton. You’ll be hard pressed to find all cotton curtains unless they’ve been made for organic or eco purposes. Even if the curtain says it’s 100% cotton, the dye in the fabric and even the flame retardant on the fabric is quite toxic.

Like cotton, linen is also a natural fiber. Linen is more durable than cotton, tends to look more luxurious, but is just as soft and even has a natural luster to it. Natural linen can be found in shades of ivory, ecru, grey or tan. If linen may not have been on your list of  curtain material – think again – linen curtains can be gorgeous window treatments.

Wool is a very interesting fabric with natural antibacterial qualities and is very resistant to flame and static electricity. As a drapery, it is quite durable and will last quite a long time. The quality of wool varies greatly, so if you choose wool as a drapery fabric, make sure to do your homework and inquire about the blends.

If you can’t find a natural fabric for your drapery needs, consider using a recycled material. There are many options for fabrics that are using reclaimed materials instead of new. Whether you go with pre made curtains or choose something more custom made – here’s a great video to help you choose the proper height for your window treatment.