Trading up for some schmutz blocking drapes

Swamping curtains in my quest to dirt-proof my apartment

Having read the New York Times article “Soil in the City” on the current state of the city’s dirt factor, I quickly decided to chuck my haven’t-been-washed-since-I-bought-them curtains for the sake of my allergies. Seeing that $400 to shampoo my sofa, chairs, and rugs is something I have in my “probably should but won’t” to-do list, I decided to go the cheaper route and give another soot proofing technique some thought. I decided to take some advice on switching out your dusty, old curtains from interior designer Jayne Michaels who has to contend with dirt wafting into her East 57^th Street apartment. It’s so bad that her bath water turned black the last time she had to rinse and soak her curtains.

Naturally I first headed over to IKEA and spotted these sheer panel curtains in a muted black and white bamboo print (Anno Unni, $29.99) in polyester.

Michaels mentioned that she swapped linen drapes for ones made of “wash and wear” polyester but seeing as finding cute polyester curtains was a rare feat I also looked at some cotton ones. For $20, I spotted these two pretty blossom prints at Urban Outfitters.

The Blossom Tree curtains sported larger burgundy, pink, and green blooms whilst the semi-sheer Asian Blossom curtains were in a tiny pink and lavender print against a turquoise background.

Though for a bit more you can get the graphic Botanist curtain peppered with lemon, lime, and cherry swirls of blooms and leaves ($48). Just know, whatever you pick… your sinuses will thank you.

-Wendy