I have been looking for some not too expensive curtains...casual clip type to cover a patio doorwall...2 panels...I have seen hemp ones but they all say dry clean only....anyone found a good solution that is durable and washable? THANKS!

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Hi GreenAlice,

I am new at the Green business. I can't answer the patio door wall question. I assume that you mean an outdoor curtain.

I am interested in this thread area since it is current and trendy.

I will brag that I bought my first grocery bags to carry back and forth to the store. They will help me to carry groceries up the steps from my garage also. Sheesh I do need some energy conservation for my body too. I don't like the trudge up the steps after after each trip to the grocery store. The long handles on the energy smart bags make the lugging easier.

We have the energy efficient light bulbs now. I try to turn lights off more frequently now. We have been guilty of leaving too many lights on. Good Luck on the Curtains. There is a new fabric being used in shower curtain fabric now that does not mildew but I'm not sure if it is adaptable to your purpose. It's supposed to be better than vinyl.

Oh no I mean indoor curtain panels to close in the wee morning hours and at night so as to not be a fishbowl to my backyard neighbors....

Currently I have ancient awful vertical blinds that are half broken and cannot wait to evict them but DH will unless I find a replacement before I rip out....

Thinking I would like an organic cotton blend..but do not want a big investment as I plan to update that space next year. Just curious if someone had found a site or store carrying some they bought....

Alice...if you sew you could buy some bamboo sheets and make some curtains from those. Or find an organic cotton sheet and use them. sheets have to be washable. And I would imagine that the hemp stuff probably is but the manufacturer is covering their b*tt by telling you to dry clean.

Thanks Debi...I do sew but no machine... Grand idea though...I did pull up one site that had hemp and said washable but hang to dry...I have a handwash cycle on my washer that I use for many things supposedly NOT washable... Have not used a dry cleaner in about 7 years or more....don't ever plan to again...

BTW I like your siggy....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GreenAlice,

There is this stuff out that is an iron on fusing (one brand is stitch witchery) that you could use for hemming but I don't know how well it stands up to washing. I think it would be OK if you don't plan to wash your curtains a whole lot. But maybe you have a friend or family member you can borrow a machine from. Or you could use the extra length folded over at the top as a valance which I have done because I was too lazy to drag out the machine and do all the cutting and measuring. You would just add the clips at the fold.

Hi Green Alice,

I was thinking cotton also. What's your color scheme? It's amazing what can be found at garage sales. Some women who decorate a lot put out nice material but that kind of search might be hit and miss. I've noticed a lot of gargage sales in the paper recently. Who knows what you might find. Estate sales are productive. I know a designer of clothing who makes women's clothing with recycled fabric. If your patio door is a standard size you might have an easy time finding something. The stitch witchery should easily last a year or longer until you remodel. Just a thought. Best Wishes.

Bed sheets make pretty curtains and can be washed with no problem. If you use some kind of bonding product for the hem, it might wash out enough for the sheets to return to their original purpose later.
Elaine

Elaine, my mom has sewn the pretty curtains out of bed sheets just for the reason you suggested. She would wash them, iron them, and rehang them. Now, with the new curtain clips THIS could make the job MUCH easier.

Thanks for all of the suggestions....organic cotton bedsheets may just do the trick...even thinking for now I may just do one big panel as the door opens to the left...to sweep it all to the side as needed....now to measure and see if a twin vs. full is in order....and could reuse that sheet for other purpose in the future....

I have made curtains out of sheets before, they work well.