Keeping some small curtains clean & perky ...

I have some curtains in need of a bath. (never washed) The curtains still have the "sizing" in them and have a shape. Without spraying them with starch & ironing them, is there any other way to improve their looks? I seem to remember (about 40 years ago or so) that there was a product that you could use in the wash water that would "duplicate" the stiff look. What would you do to solve this problem?

Karin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~