try some calgon liquid water softener. Try a little on an inconspicuous place first.

The water softener should dissolve the calcium and lime that are making the rings

I have absolutely no idea whether this would work or not, but:

A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is in essence a micro-fine piece of sandpaper. If the residue is on the surface, and you rubbed verrry gently, maybe you could remove the residue without removing the color? Other than that, I have nothing - I've never found a fix for a water spot. Can you switch them left right and hide the spots in folds?

Thanks for both of your replies. I will try them both.

I don't know if the Calgon will work, because my main problem is that I can't rinse the curtains. Oh, I suppose I could throw buckets of distilled water at them, but that's not practical, really. And I could possibly electrocute myself, which wouldn't really be productive...

I will also try the magic eraser. Ya never know.

Thanks!

Sorry for the typo ("Hlelp") in the thread title.

No solution for that problem, either, I guess.

Try vacuuming the dry stains with the brush attachment first--maybe you can loosen and remove some of the deposits.
If you truly can't afford a cleaner (or a commercial laundry? professional drapery cleaner? try negotiating a price?) and the drapes won't be ruined by water, how about in your bathtub?

In my bathtub?

What a brilliant idea. But not practical at the moment... the show opens on Friday, and I would have no way of drying them. I live in Philadelphia and it's cold and wet outside.

If I lived in Miami... well, we can stop right there, because if I lived in Miami I would be out sitting on the beach, not lurking in the backstage shadows with a bottle of vinegar in my hand.

Thanks, though.

Anyone else?