The Unknown Dangers of Dirty Curtains - Part 1
Curtains are a great way to really complete the look of a room in your home. They can add a sense of personality and lift up the atmosphere of your home without spending a fortune on redecorating. Most people tend to forget about their curtains when cleaning other home interior accessories, such as carpets. Little did you know, curtains can cause serious harm to your health if left unattended for long periods of time.
Over a few days we'll take a look at the 4 hidden dangers of having dirty curtains and why you should take time to have your curtains cleaned every few years.
REASON 1: Curtains accumulate allergens and dust mites
Many people overlook curtains when it comes to cleaning. Curtains withstand heat, cold, dirt, direct sunlight and act as a shield for your house. Curtain fabrics can often attract a lot of allergens and dust. These are the two main causes of allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing or runny noses.
Due to their small size, dust particles are easily carried by wind and accumulate on curtains after some time, especially curtains that are made from cotton. Some curtains are worse offenders when it comes to dust accumulation, particularly those made from thicker fabrics and have multiple curtain layers in one.
Allergens and dust mites are trapped between the layers and thus increase the chances of you getting allergy symptoms.
In a casual survey taken by HealthyWomen, 67 percent reported taking medication to help control allergy symptoms. Removing the allergens hidden in your curtains can already help relieve your allergy symptoms a lot without the help of meds.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.2% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.1% Critical thinking
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29.9% Resilience and adaptability
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2.8% Other - I will share below!
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