Trained curtains are the quiet difference between a room that looks put-together and one that looks unfinished. If you've ever wondered why curtains in showrooms and styled homes hang so neatly, curtain training is the answer — and it takes less than 15 minutes to do yourself.
This guide walks you through exactly how to train curtains at home, whether you have pinch pleat, pencil pleat, or eyelet style. Before you start, make sure you have the right length sorted — not sure? Read our guide on whether curtains should touch the floor. Once you know your length, check our guide on how to measure for curtains before ordering.
What Does Curtain Training Mean?
Curtain training is the process of folding your curtains into neat, uniform pleats and holding them in position long enough for the fabric to remember the shape. Think of it like setting a crease in dress pants — once set, the fabric naturally falls back into the same line every time.
Untrained curtains tend to bunch randomly or fall unevenly. Trained curtains fall in clean, consistent folds from rod to floor, which gives any room a more polished and intentional look.
What You Need
- A handheld garment steamer
- Ribbon, soft string, or fabric ties (3 to 4 per panel)
- A stepladder
- 15 to 20 minutes per panel
A steamer works far better than an iron here because you can work on the curtains while they are hanging. Do not use an iron directly on hung curtains.
How to Train Curtains: 3 Steps
Step 1: Steam out the wrinkles
Start with your curtains fully hung and closed. Working from the bottom hem upward, run the steamer slowly along each fold. Keep the steamer head about 2 to 3cm from the fabric — close enough to penetrate the weave but not so close you risk watermarks.
Starting at the bottom is important. It lets gravity help the fabric settle naturally as you work your way up, rather than pushing wrinkles downward as you go.
Once the full panel is wrinkle-free, move on to step 2 without letting the curtains cool fully — warm fabric holds a new shape more easily.
Step 2: Arrange the pleats by hand
Using your hands, gather the fabric into neat, evenly spaced folds from the top of the rod down to the floor. Work section by section rather than trying to fold the entire panel at once.
For pinch pleat curtains, tuck any excess fabric neatly between each pinch. Space the pleats evenly and make sure they all face the same direction.
For eyelet curtains, form each fold into a tight U-shape between the eyelets. The rings should sit flush against the rod with no gaps between folds.
For pencil pleat curtains, gather the header cord evenly so the pleats are consistent in size across the full width of the panel before arranging the folds below.
Once the folds are arranged to your liking, run the steamer over them one more time from top to bottom to help set the creases in place.
Step 3: Tie the curtains in position
This is the step most people skip — and the reason their curtains never hold their shape. Using soft ribbon or fabric ties, loosely bind each panel into its folded position at three or four evenly spaced points down the length of the curtain.
The ties should be firm enough to hold the folds together but not so tight they leave marks in the fabric. Leave them in place for at least 5 to 7 days. During this time you can still open and close the curtains — just re-tie them each evening.
After a week, remove the ties. The fabric will have formed a memory of the fold and will naturally return to the same position each time you close the curtains.
How Long Does Curtain Training Last?
With most woven fabrics — linen, cotton, velvet — trained pleats hold well for several months under normal use. You will need to repeat the process after washing, as laundering relaxes the fibres back to their natural state.
Heavier fabrics like velvet and wool hold their training longer than lightweight sheers, which may need a quick re-steam every few months.
Tips for Different Curtain Fabrics
- Linen and linen look: Steam on a medium setting. Linen responds well to steam and holds pleats reliably once trained.
- Velvet: Always steam from the back of the fabric or use a pressing cloth to avoid crushing the pile.
- Semi sheer and light fabrics: Use a low steam setting and be patient — lightweight fabrics take longer to hold a crease but will train with a few extra days of tying.
- Cotton blend: Responds quickly to steam. Usually fully trained within 3 to 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to train curtains?
The hands-on process takes about 15 minutes per panel. The curtains then need to stay tied for 5 to 7 days to fully set the folds.
Do you need to train eyelet curtains?
Yes. Eyelet curtains benefit from training just as much as pleated styles. The goal is to get each fold between the eyelets sitting in a consistent U-shape so the panel hangs evenly along its full length.
Can you train curtains without a steamer?
A steamer gives the best results, but you can also hang your curtains in a steam-filled bathroom for 20 to 30 minutes to relax the fabric before arranging the folds. An iron on a low setting with a damp cloth can work on some fabrics but is harder to use on hung curtains.
How often should you re-train curtains?
Re-train after every wash. For curtains that are rarely removed, a quick re-steam and one or two days of re-tying once or twice a year is usually enough to keep them looking neat.
Ready to get the right curtains to train? Browse our range of custom made curtains or order free fabric swatches to find the right fabric for your home.