As part of keeping their bathroom clean, many people forget about the shower curtains. Because it is made of plastic, they often assume it will clean by itself, or they will do so if they remember. Actually, we all need to know how to clean shower curtain, instead of removing any when they look dirty.
To wash shower curtain is actually not that difficult. Here are some of the tips that can help you:
1. The Pre-treatment
This should actually be done from the first time you get a new plastic shower curtain. Cleaning shower curtain should start with running it through the washing machine’s rinse cycle, plus a few drops of distilled white vinegar.
Since the curtain is made of plastic, be careful not to set the water too hot. You do not want the curtain to melt. Check the curtain in a few minutes to make sure the temperature is just right.
The Methods in Washing Plastic Shower Curtains
When it comes to plastic shower curtains, there are two (2) methods in washing them. No worries, they are not as difficult as you may think:
- By washing machine
As mentioned earlier, you need warm water in the machine, mixed with some vinegar, baking soda, or soft laundry detergent. Remember, only choose one of the three options mentioned. For example: choose vinegar or baking soda.
If you choose two or three altogether, you will definitely ruin your fabric shower curtains.
Once you are done washing your plastic shower curtains, then you can hang them to dry back to their rods.
- By handwashing
Is this method more exhausting? Yes, it is. On the bright side, you are 100% certain whether the curtains will be completely clean or not. Do not forget to use baking soda and a microfiber cloth.
You can start by dampening the cloth and sprinkling some baking soda on the curtain. Then scrub the whole shower curtain before rinsing it with warm water and revisiting any soap scum patches or water stains. If there is still some, rinse again until it is completely clean.
The best thing about this method is the fresh, afterwash scent in the bathroom.
3. The Frequency of Washing Your Plastic Shower Curtains
So, how often do you have to wash your plastic shower curtains, especially the shower curtain liner?
The answer is: as often as you may. If you are busy, then make time at least once a month. It is not a difficult process. Soap scum is easy to remove, but mildew or mold is a different story. It gives you another reason to clean your shower curtains more regularly.
4. The Trouble With The Mildew
Whether it is made of plastic or a vinyl shower curtain, having some mildew on it is annoying. Besides baking soda and vinegar, you can also use bleach to get rid of mildew.
To prevent the crinkling plastic, use a couple of bath towels when washing the plastic shower curtain. Wash it with warm water, mixed with half a cup of chlorine bleach and a quarter cup of laundry detergent. Wait for the washer to run for two minutes before loading the curtain.
After that, drop the shower curtain and the towels into the dryer. Set the lowest temperature for them. Leave them for ten minutes before you hang them dry.
The method above also works wonders if you want to wash your shower curtain liner.
5. Other Fabrics Besides Plastic and Vinyl
Most shower curtains are made of plastic or vinyl. However, there are other materials some people may use for their shower curtains.
Some people prefer materials like cotton, polyester, nylon, or hemp for shower curtains. Since this is not so common (or mostly for decoration), you cannot just wash it the same way you do plastic or vinyl materials.
Check the instructions on the care label before you wash any of it. If the shower curtain is secondhand and there is no label, you can always Google it. Make sure you read everything right, just to be on the safe side.
6. The Bonus Tips (especially to get rid of mold on shower curtain)
Just like bathroom floors and walls, what happens if you do not properly wash your shower curtains? You have mold in it. Eww.
So, this is how you do it so you will not have mold in shower curtains again:
- Dry the shower cubicle or bathtub zone after you are done
Especially on the weekends, do not just leave the bathroom once you are done showering. Spray the whole area to dry and ventilate the room. (This works wonders if your bathroom has a window you can open to let the air out.)
- Position your shower curtain right
Peel the shower mat up after you finish showering. Keep the shower curtain closed, so it can stay dry. When it is dry, it also prevents mold or mildew from staying put.
- Clean your shower caps and sponges too…and other accessories
Perhaps when you shower, you do not want your hair wet, so you put the cap on. Other times you prefer using a sponge to soap you up and clean yourself too.
For the shower cap, it is usually made of plastic, right? Some other caps may be made of fiber nets. Still, it needs to be cleaned properly and more regularly too. So does the sponge you often leave wet in the bathroom.
In general, knowing how to clean shower curtain is more than just waiting for it to dry by itself. From using the right weapons and doing it correctly, do not forget another basic thing to consider:
Why do you need a shower curtain in the first place?
If you live alone and your bathroom is small, you probably should not install any. Not only it will trip you over by accident, you have extra work of cleaning the shower curtain up.
However, if you need some privacy or just love having one, you know the consequences. Wash shower curtain regularly. That will definitely keep the mildew and mold away.
I put mine in the washing machine and let it dry outside.