How To Pack Curtains for Moving

Curtains might seem easy to move because they’re just fabric, right? But some are surprisingly bulky, delicate, or even sentimental. Whether they’re velvet drapes or custom sheers, it’s worth learning how to pack them properly so they arrive wrinkle- and damage-free.

Learning how to pack curtains for a move helps ensure your favorite drapes arrive intact and unscathed. In just a few simple steps, you can wrap and roll everything successfully and maybe even save yourself some time with the ironing board.

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What Supplies Do You Need to Pack Curtains Safely?

To properly pack curtains, you’ll need to gather the essential supplies. Many of these items are probably already in your home, while others may require a trip to your local big box store or a chat with your chosen moving company.

• Cleaning supplies: Cleaning your curtains before you pack them saves time when you’re ready to start decorating your new home. Read the laundry guidelines on your curtains before proceeding. Some only allow spot cleaning, while others can be laundered at home or dry cleaned. At the very least, use a lint brush or vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove dust and debris.
• Wardrobe boxes or cardboard tubes: Be sure to get your boxes or tubes ahead of time so everything’s ready when you start packing. If you opt to use a wardrobe box, you’ll also need padded hangers and pins to help secure the fabric. Tubes come in different sizes, so choose a length that matches the full or folded length of your curtains.
• Acid-free paper: This specially crafted paper can be used to wrap your curtains before you pack them. Acid-free construction safeguards fabric from color transfer, staining, and other types of damage.
• Packing tape: You’ll rely on the packing tape to close your boxes and tubes. Label the outside of your boxes and tubes with what’s inside and which room the curtains should go in at your destination.

The packaging materials and process you use will likely depend on the type of curtains you have. For example, you may use wardrobe boxes for less flexible fabrics and acid paper and tubes for lacy curtains that need extra protection.

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Your Step-By-Step Guide for Packing Curtains

Tossing your curtains into a box may seem like the easiest way to pack them. But with wrinkles, damage, and dust just waiting to pounce, it’s best to take a more organized and intentional approach. Follow these packing tips for curtains to keep the fabric safe as you travel to your new home.

Step 1. Clean Your Curtains

The first step in packing curtains for a move is to remove them from their perch and clean them up. This might mean running a few loads of laundry or heading to the dry cleaners.

 

“Fragile curtains should be rolled or hung carefully to avoid snags and tangling, while oversized curtains are best stored in a wardrobe box.”

 

You may also be able to spot clean with mild soap and a lint-free cloth. Ensure curtains are thoroughly dry before folding and packing.

Step 2. Iron Your Curtains

Many people prefer to iron their curtains before packing to minimize creases and keep things looking tidy on arrival. Others wait until after the move to avoid re-ironing in case wrinkles set in during transit. Here are the benefits and disadvantages to ironing beforehand:

• Pros: Saves time on unpacking day and keeps delicate fabrics looking fresh.
• Cons: Curtains may wrinkle in the box anyway, especially if not packed flat or rolled.

Choose the approach that best fits your fabric type and moving timeline.

Step 3. Take Inventory

This step runs concurrently with steps 1 and 2. As you take down, clean, and iron your curtains, note which room they come from. Unless you already know that your current curtains perfectly fit your future home, you may want to record measurements as well. A simple notecard that lists each curtain along with its height and width will help you streamline the hanging process after your move.

Step 4. Start Folding, Rolling, and Packing

If you’re using wardrobe boxes:

• Line the bottom of the box with acid-free paper to keep the bottom of your curtains clean.
• Fold each curtain in half lengthwise and lay it evenly over a padded hanger. You may need to fold longer curtains two or three times to prevent gathering or dragging.
• Hang curtains across the horizontal bar that came with your wardrobe box.
• Use fabric clips to pinch curtains closed near the bar to keep curtains secure.
• Add only as many curtains/hangers as comfortably fit in each box without causing the curtains to bunch together and wrinkle, and keep other linens in wardrobe boxes that aren’t full, so there’s less room for hangers to shift. Use tape or twist ties to secure acid-free paper between each fabric panel.
• Close, tape, and label each wardrobe box.

If you’re using cardboard tubes:

• Match your curtains’ width to a cardboard tube of a similar length. You may need to fold the curtain in half vertically.
• Lay each curtain on a flat, clean surface. Roll tightly — but not too tightly — until you have a long-shaped package that’s just a bit smaller than your packing tube.
• Wrap your bundle in acid-free paper, and then slide the entire roll into the cardboard tube.
• Seal the tube with the included stopper and, if needed, packing tape. Label each tube and the boxes you put them in.

Pro Tip: Curtains are often packed last, so you’re not left with bare windows before moving day. In the weeks leading up to your move, you may want to clean curtains room by room and rehang the ones that are essential.

Leave curtains up in sensitive areas, like bedrooms and bathrooms, as long as possible. You can organize your move by choosing boxes and tubes and distributing them to each room ahead of time.

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How to Unpack and Rehang Your Curtains

Unpacking your curtains is equally as important as the initial packing process. Start by taking your curtains out of their wardrobe box or tube one by one. Inspect each panel for damage and assess whether you need to clean and iron them.

 

“[Iornining curtains before a move s]aves time on unpacking day and keeps delicate fabrics looking fresh, [but] curtains may wrinkle in the box anyway, especially if not packed flat or rolled.” 

 

Match curtains to their target location, and double-check measurements before hanging. After they’re hung, steam clean the curtains to remove the last few wrinkles.

Learn more on our How to Pack Hub.

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FAQs About Moving Curtains

What if my curtains are fragile or oversized?

Fragile curtains should be rolled or hung carefully to avoid snags and tangling, while oversized curtains are best stored in a wardrobe box. For fragile curtains, lay the curtain flat and cover it with a sheet of acid-free paper before rolling to prevent runs or snags. For oversized curtains, fold along natural pleats when possible and drape them directly over the wardrobe bar (without a hanger) to save space.

Can I move the curtains myself, or should I hire a professional?

Yes, most curtains can be moved without professional help, especially simple styles that slide off a standard rod. Consult a professional if you have motorized curtains or especially long panels that require expert installation and management.