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How to get mildew off shower curtain


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For a healthy bathroom environment, it’s vital to know how to get rid of shower curtain mold and mildew. The warm and humid atmosphere allows these nasties to thrive, and their spores can cause health problems. Of course, mold and mildew on a shower curtain is unsightly, too.

The good news is that getting rid of shower curtain mold and mildew is really easy to do and, perhaps surprisingly, doesn’t require store-bought cleaning products – you can get the job done with pantry ingredients it’s also worth finding space for as part of your laundry room ideas. 

We’ve got the lowdown on how to get rid of shower curtain mold and mildew, as well as a few handy tips on how to prevent it coming back, so that your shower curtain ideas can remain looking as good as new.

How to get rid of shower curtain mold and mildew 

It’s important to know how to clean a shower curtain and its liner, and it’s something you should do regularly. But if you spot mold and mildew, these should be tackled right away. 

While mold sprays are highly effective, it doesn’t always require store-bought cleaners; a couple of staple pantry ingredients is all it takes to keep it looking as good as new. Here’s how to get rid of shower curtain mold and mildew. 

Get rid of shower curtain mold and mildew with vinegar

‘Vinegar is made from acetic acid, making it a natural disinfectant – and cleaning with vinegar is something you can do around the home,’ says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief of Homes & Gardens. ‘And it’s a go-to when you want to get rid of shower curtain mold and mildew.’

Make up a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle – add in some essential oils to give it a nice scent – and spray your curtain regularly (some experts advise doing this every time you shower but at least once a week should be enough).  

Not rinsing every time allows the cleaning solution to do its job; it’ll just wash off next time you shower anyway, but at least once a week, rub it down with a gentle brush to get rid of any residual soap scum. 

Get rid of shower curtain mold and mildew with baking soda 

It may be humble, but this cleaning with baking soda can take on the toughest of tasks and is also an eco-friendly way to keep your shower curtain mold-free. 

Kerry Hale at Mira Showers explains how best to use it: ‘Sprinkle a layer of baking soda over a damp, clean microfiber cloth, then use it to scrub down the curtain, focusing on mold and mildew buildup. Leave the baking soda to soak into the stains, then after a couple of minutes use a warm damp cloth to scrub it all away. You may need to rinse and repeat a few times to ensure that no traces of baking soda remain.’

Get rid of shower curtain mold and mildew in the washing machine

Want to know how to get rid of shower curtain mold and mildew with the help of your washing machine? Most shower curtains are machine washable, even plastic ones. Depending on the material, different temperatures and cycle settings might be required, so you must check the laundry symbols on the care label beforehand. Add one or two bath towels to the load – these will help to scrub off the dirt and prevent the shower curtain from wrinkling and tearing. 

‘As well as adding the usual amount of laundry detergent, include one cup of baking soda to remove tough stains and wash on a warm, gentle setting,’ says Kerry Hale. ‘When the washing machine switches to the rinse cycle, pour in half to one cup of distilled white vinegar to ensure all the baking soda is removed.’

Skip the fabric softener as it can add a layer of film to your shower curtain that attracts dirt and grime. 

Dry the shower curtain thoroughly afterwards. As a rule experts advise against putting a shower curtain in the dryer as it can melt or distort the fabric. However, some fabric curtains can tolerate machine drying – again, check the care label. If there’s no temperature specified, opt for a low heat setting and hang immediately after the drying cycle ends to avoid creasing.  

Vinyl and plastic liners always require hang drying. Hang them back up on the shower rod and stretch out to their full length.  

How to prevent mold and mildew building up

There are a few routine things you can do so you don’t have to worry about getting rid of shower curtain mold and mildew so often. 

First of all, always close the curtain fully after your shower so it can air dry thoroughly and hang the bottom of the curtain over the side of the bath, so it’s not bunched up or sitting in water. 

‘To save yourself a bigger cleaning job further down the line, ensure the shower curtain is sprayed down on a regular basis with a mixture of water and distilled white vinegar and keep the bathroom well ventilated,’ says Kerry Hale. 

If the bottom of your shower curtain is particularly moldy, use a brush or scrubber sponge first to loosen the grime, then spray with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water and clean as you would the rest of the curtain. If stains remain, mix equal parts water and baking soda in a bowl to create a paste, and scrub the offending areas. Rinse away and repeat if necessary. 

How do you clean a moldy shower curtain?

To clean a plastic shower curtain that’s moldy, bleach could be the best solution. ‘If you are specifically looking to kill mold spores or remove mildew, we highly recommend using bleach as your washing product choice,’ says Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid , a Neighborly company. ‘After washing, simply hang your plastic curtain back up to dry.’

Always be mindful that mold or mildew can grow on shower curtain liners because of the humidity and warmth of a bathroom, and dealing with it is crucial to avoid health issues.

For 10 years, Tara King worked as a Content Editor in the magazine industry, before leaving to become freelance, covering interior design, wellbeing, craft and homemaking. As well as writing for Ideal Home, Style at Home, Country Homes & Interiors, Tara’s keen eye for styling combined with a passion for creating a happy – and functional – family home has led to a series of organization and cleaning features for H&G.  

Mildew go away. Cleaning Mildew From Shower Curtains

Tidy Home

What’s gross and smelly and makes your shower curtain look disgusting? Mildew, of course.

No one likes seeing mildew on the shower curtain. Unfortunately, it’s going to grow there at some point. The shower is hot and humid and this is exactly the climate in which mildew thrives.

However, the fact that mildew is going to grow on your shower curtain doesn’t mean you’re powerless against it. You can—and should—fight back. After all, if mildew is left unchecked, it can become hazardous to your health. We don’t want that to happen, so read on to learn how to get the mildew off and out of your shower curtains.
 

How to Remove Mildew from Plastic Shower Curtains

There are a lot of mildew-resistant plastic shower curtains on the market. However, you should take the claim of mildew resistance with a grain of salt. You’ll most likely still have to deal with mildew every now and again. And when you do, here are the steps you’ll need to remove mildew from your plastic shower curtain:
 
  1. Remove your shower curtain and fill your tub with warm water.
  2. Add a little bleach to the warm water and soak your shower curtain in this mixture.
  3. After your shower curtain has soaked for a while, run it through your washing machine on the rinse cycle. You’ll want to use warm—not hot—water. You may want to check on the curtain after a few minutes to make sure the water isn’t too hot. Nobody wants to deal with a melted shower curtain in the washing machine.
  4. While the curtain is washing, thoroughly rinse the bleach from your tub with warm water.
  5. After the rinse cycle has finished, hang your shower curtain back on the shower curtain rod.
 

How to Remove Mildew from Cloth Shower Curtains

As with plastic shower curtains, there are many mildew-resistant cloth shower curtains out there. Again, be wary of these claims. Mildew has a way of creeping up. When it does, you can fight back by doing the following:
 
  1. Pretreat any noticeably mildewed spots with a stain remover. Follow the instructions provided on the stain remover package.
  2. Check the tag on your shower curtain to see what material it’s made from. Wash it according to the cleaning instructions for that fabric. If your curtain is lined with plastic, however, you’ll want to avoid washing it in hot water, as the plastic can melt in your washing machine.
  3. After the curtain has been washed, you can place it in the dryer on low heat unless the cleaning instructions state otherwise. Cloth curtains with attached plastic lining will need to be air dried, preferably outside.
  4. If you have a separate plastic shower curtain liner, you can treat it for mildew using the above instructions on cleaning plastic shower curtains.
 

How Often Should I Treat Shower Curtains for Mildew?

To keep mildew from taking over your shower curtains, you should aim to clean them every one to three months. Cleaning them monthly would be ideal, but you can push it to three months if you just don’t have the time. The exception, however, is people who live in hot or humid climates. You’ll probably want stick to monthly cleanings to keep mildew in check.

So if you see mildew creeping its way up your shower curtain—and you will at some point—get rid of it quick so you don’t have to deal with the smell or potential health hazards.

Looking for more advice on bathroom cleaning? Look no further. We’ve got the tips you need to keep the bathroom and shower sparkling.

And if you ever find yourself needing extra help keeping your bathroom clean, then contact Merry Maids today to get an estimate on our house cleaning and maid services!

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How to wash a bathroom curtain from mold

How to remove mold from a bathroom curtain , plaque and rust with your own hands

its color, and also plaque, fungi and even rust appear on it. For each of the described contaminants, there are certain cleaning methods, and when cleaning, the material from which the product is made will play an important role. Let's look at how to wash the curtain in the bathroom from mold, rust and white plaque.

Causes of various pollutions

To begin with, it is worth considering what pollution the curtain in your bathroom is prone to, we will also find out the causes of formation,

so that in the future you can prevent the appearance of unwanted pollution:

  1. Yellowness. It usually appears at the bottom of the curtain, due to contact with foam or soapy water. In order to prevent the appearance of an ugly yellow tint, after taking a bath or shower, rinse the curtain with clean water and then dry it well.
  2. White stains (plaque). Due to the fact that there is a lot of magnesium and calcium salts in the water, it becomes hard. This is the reason why white marks appear after the water dries on the curtain.
  3. Rust. Although it seems strange that rust does not appear on the metal, but on the shower curtain, this does happen. Red spots are very difficult to remove, and it is possible to get rid of them if they are not old. Most often, such spots appear from below on the curtain, because it is this fragment that is constantly in contact with water.
  4. Mould. Very favorable conditions for its appearance and reproduction are an increased level of humidity and heat in the environment that exists in the bathroom. Also, most often the fungus can be seen in the folds of the shower curtain. Removing moisture from the surface of the curtain and a good ventilation system that will function at all times will help prevent mold stains from forming on the surface.

Now that we have dealt with the causes of pollution, it is worth knowing what products can and should be used to wash the curtains.

How to clean a curtain

What products can be used for washing and cleaning

To remove different types of stains, you should use special solutions that were created specifically for this purpose:

Which type of product to use will depend on what material the curtain is made from. When choosing curtains for bathrooms, you should remember that they differ not only in design and size, but also in the material of manufacture. Shower curtains can be both plastic and textile. Below are the main varieties that will help you figure out how to wash the curtain in the bathroom from mold.

  1. Plastic. This type of material is quite thin, which is why it is short-lived. It is usually not washed. Since such curtains made from ordinary film are replaced with new ones every 6 months, it does not need to be washed, moreover, the products are not very expensive. But if you still really need it, you can very gently and gently clean the surface with a dishwashing sponge and a non-aggressive chemical agent. You can use dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent.
  2. Polyester. This is the most popular, as well as the most practical material that can be washed both by hand and in a washing machine, but the temperature should not exceed 40 degrees. When washing, the use of washing powder, bleach, soda, vinegar and citric acid is allowed.
  3. Textile curtains. Fabric curtains are usually made from a mixture of natural and synthetic material, which during manufacture is impregnated with a special composition that can repel water. The fabric requires scrupulous attention when choosing. Usually, all care information is on the product label. You can wash such curtains even in a washing machine, but only on a delicate mode and at a temperature not higher than 30 degrees. If the fabric is linen or cotton, then it is possible to boil it in water, where boric acid will be added. When machine and hand wash, it is better to use washing powder / gel and fabric softener to eliminate the remnants of an unpleasant odor.
  4. PVC. Vinyl products are attractive because they are inexpensive and easy to care for. They are generally not able to absorb moisture, it will be enough after bathing or taking a shower to wipe the curtain with a dry cloth. To remove stains from such a curtain, use baking soda, scouring powders (any kind), bleach, and lemon juice.

Let's look at three ways to clean the curtain.

TOP 3 effective ways to clean curtains

Spot cleaning

It is not necessary to wash the entire curtain, especially if the dirt is on the bottom of the curtain. You can remove stains with a regular brush and a detergent suitable for your type of curtain. If, for some reason, the stains are not washed off, then take a handful of baking soda, apply it to a dishwashing sponge (rough side) and rub the product thoroughly. Then it remains only to rinse everything with clean water and wipe (or hang to dry).

Hand wash

baking soda and ½ tsp. citric acid, and then soak everything for 1 hour. Agree, nothing complicated. When the allotted time is up, wash everything with your hands and rinse well in clean water. If the curtain was heavily soiled, then you should repeat the soaking procedure, but now in a new solution and reheated water, then rub all the dirty places with a brush, and only after that you can start rinsing and drying again. For delicate hand washing, it is acceptable to use baby bleach and a little essential oil for a pleasant smell that will kill moldy aromas. This method will help to gently remove stains, disinfect the product and leave only cleanliness and a pleasant aroma.

Please note that it is strictly forbidden to wash shower curtains in the bathroom from mold and other contaminants in hot water, as the curtains may begin to deform due to exposure to high water temperature.

Machine wash

To wash your bathroom curtains to remove mold, mildew and rust, follow these guidelines:

Important! Bath curtains should never be wrung out as they may become wrinkled and creased. Also, in no case do you need to iron the product with an iron, even if it is textiles.

How to wash a curtain from yellowness

In order to rid a curtain of ugly yellowness, every home has improvised means, and you probably have them too.

Whiteness

So, for machine washing, add whiteness to the powder receiver (about 100 ml), and then set the long wash mode with pre-soaking. If the manufacturer of the product indicated on the label that under no circumstances should bleaches containing chlorine be used, then there is an alternative - oxygen bleaching agents. These include the popular Vanish tool, which should also be added to the powder receiver in the amount recommended in the product instructions. If the contamination is severe, leave the product overnight in a basin with a diluted bleach composition.

Folk ways to fight

The familiar folk way to eliminate yellow plaque consists of the following steps:

  • Next, dip the composition into a solution containing 200 ml of vinegar for every ½ liter of heated water.
  • Finally rinse the curtain in cold water.

    • An equally effective way to fight mold on a bathroom curtain is to use ammonia and table salt. The ammonia will neutralize the magnesium salts that make shower products yellow. To do this, you need to take 250 ml of water, 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. ammonia, and then mix everything until the salt is completely dissolved. The dirty part of the curtain should be lowered into the liquid and left for about 1 hour. After that, wash the curtain as usual and rinse by hand. And the last popular way is to add 2 tablespoons of boric acid to warm water. Leave the curtain to soak for 5-6 hours, and then you need to wash the curtain in any way convenient for you.

    Rust stain removal

    Recipe #1

    with a brush, leave for a couple of minutes, and then rub well. If it is not possible to remove rust, then you should take a cotton pad, moisten it in a solution and apply it to the stain, and then leave it for 15-20 minutes. Next, wash the curtain by hand.

    Recipe #2

    There is a second way to fight rust, and for it you should take 1 tsp. acetic acid, and then add to a glass of water. Next, the liquid must be heated, but not brought to a boil, removed from heat and add a little ammonia and ½ tsp. baking soda. Dip the part of the curtain that is affected by rust into this mixture. If the destruction of the red spot did not work the first time, then repeat the procedure. To remove rust, use chemicals such as Sanita or Adrilan. Treat the stains with the substance and leave for a couple of minutes, and then remove everything with wet wipes. Please note that it is best to use rubber gloves when removing chemical stains.

    How to clean the curtain from fungus and mold

    Fungi are very susceptible to alkaline and acidic environments, so it is better to use soda and vinegar, as well as lemon juice or acid, to kill it.

    To remove mold from a bathroom screen, use the following method:

    • Place the curtain in a basin and rinse in warm water.
    • Next, on the spots where there is a fungus, you need to pour baking soda and rub it all with a brush or sponge for washing dishes.
    • When all dirt has been removed, rinse the curtain in plenty of warm water, in which a sachet of citric acid has been previously dissolved.

    There is also another effective method for removing fungus from curtains. To implement, add 100 grams of soda and 100 ml of vinegar to the washing machine drum, do not forget to additionally turn on the prewash mode. Another way is bleach, which will be added to a basin of water (1-2 caps). In such a solution, the product should lie down for at least 1 hour, and then rub the stains with a brush, rinse in plenty of water and dry.

    Limescale remover

    When dealing with limescale deposits, bleach containing chlorine is ideal. The curtain should be soaked in warm water, and pour 50 ml of bleach into it and leave for half an hour. Next, you should wash everything, you can either manually or in a washing machine. When rinsing, be sure to add fabric softener to remove odor and soften the water.

    Features of cleaning polyvinyl chloride (PVC) curtains

    Vinyl curtains are easy to care for. There is only one feature in the care of such products - they cannot be washed either by hand or in a typewriter. Such curtains can only be washed, and for this, use a dishwashing sponge that will be dipped in soapy water. If there are white spots, mold or rust on the curtains, then use bleach, scouring powders like Comet, or gel products like Sif to remove them. The agent must be applied to the product with a sponge and left for 5-7 minutes so that it has time to act, and then thoroughly rinse everything with water and wipe it with a dry cloth. From folk methods for caring for vinyl curtains, use ammonia, baking soda and citric acid.

    How to dry a bathroom curtain

    Do not dry or wring the curtain in a washing machine, as this may affect the appearance of the product. It will be much better if you wring it out a little with your hands and let the rest of the water drain over the tub. Next, we hang the product so that there are no wrinkles in the fresh air (street or balcony with open shutters) until it dries completely. If it is not possible to dry the curtain on the balcony, hang it on the ledge, and then wipe it with a dry cloth and leave the door to the bathroom open so that there is air access.

    Please note, that drying curtains near heaters sometimes causes yellow spots.

    Preventive measures

    Special products are simply needed to prevent stains on the shower screen. For example, products with water repellency will help to avoid the appearance of limescale, and an anti-germ spray will prevent the appearance of fungal spores. After you finish showering or bathing, wipe dry the curtain so that no moisture remains even in the folds. Leave the bathroom to ventilate. For weekly care, it will be correct to use a spray bottle and a special solution. To prepare it, you will need 200 ml of water, 5 drops of essential oil with your favorite scent and 50 ml of table vinegar. Spray the composition on the curtain and wipe with a sponge. Once a month, the curtain needs to be washed by hand (it can also be done in a typewriter). The main condition is the proper care of the product, and in this case it will retain its original appearance for a long time.

    How to remove mold from a bathroom curtain: tips for care and washing -

    Due to the almost constant humidity, many microorganisms develop in the bathroom. They cover all surfaces, from tiles to waterproof curtains. If you do not wash it regularly, then a fungus can develop in the folds of the curtain, which is already fraught with health problems for households. How to remove mold from this accessory, tell Joinfo.com.

    How to get rid of mold on the curtain in the bathroom?

    Alcohol

    Alcohol is a well-known disinfectant that most people probably have at home. In order to clean the curtain in the bathroom, it is necessary to moisten a sponge or cloth with ethanol and rub it into the curtain in a circular motion. Pay special attention to areas that are most contaminated with mold. After processing, it is not necessary to rinse with running water, as the alcohol will evaporate on its own.

    Vinegar

    Vinegar is an excellent natural cleanser due to its high acid content. It does not have pronounced disinfectant properties, but it copes well with dirt and grease that accumulate on the surface of the curtain as a result of constant contact with soaps, shampoos and conditioners.

    Pour warm water into a deep basin and add two cups of apple cider vinegar. Leave the curtain in the solution until the vinegar takes effect, about 20 minutes. Then just rinse it under running water - and the curtain will look like new.

    Toothpaste

    Not many people realize that toothpaste can also be used for other than its intended purpose. To clean bathroom curtains, soak a sponge in warm water and then apply a large amount of toothpaste to it.

    Use it to wipe heavily soiled areas, rinse and your curtains will be cleaner than ever.

    Baking soda

    If you decide to use the cleaning or disinfecting properties of baking soda, soak the curtains in a wide bowl of water with sodium bicarbonate dissolved in it. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. You can also place a curtain in the washing machine and add baking soda to the powder drawer or directly to the drum.

    Tea tree solution

    To prepare this cleanser, you will need one glass of water, a quarter glass of alcohol, one teaspoon of tea tree oil and a spray bottle. Put all the ingredients in a bottle, mix thoroughly and spray onto the curtain. Then wipe with a regular sponge and rinse with running water.

    Washing your bathroom curtains step by step

    If you prefer to wash your bathroom curtains by hand, we recommend that you follow the steps below to optimize the process:

    1. Remove the rings so as not to damage the fabric of the curtain.

    2. Lower the curtains into a large bowl of water and liquid soap. Coarse salt can be used instead of detergent.

    3. Leave to act for at least two hours.

    4. Use a stiff bristled brush to remove the most stubborn mold stains. If you notice that they don't disappear, try adding a small amount of baking soda to the rags.

    5. Rinse the curtain thoroughly to remove the soap layer. If desired, you can add a little vinegar to the last rinse to remove the unpleasant smell of mold.

    6. Hang to dry completely in a well ventilated area.

    If you decide to machine wash your bath screens, follow these tips:

    1. First of all, make sure your bath screens are machine washable.

    2. Select a wash cycle that does not exceed 30 degrees Celsius.

    3. Put the baking soda into the detergent drawer along with the detergent.

    4. Remember to add some clean towels to the drum along with the curtains to protect them from damage and turn off the spin cycle.

    How to regularly clean your bathroom curtains

    After you have washed your shower curtain and removed mold stains, it is recommended that you follow these guidelines to keep your shower curtain clean for as long as possible: Thanks to this, soap residues will not accumulate on the material. Try to hang the curtain as wide as possible, and do not leave it folded.

  • Be sure to ventilate the bathroom after a shower. Do not leave the door tightly closed. If there is a window, open it too: this will improve air circulation.
  • Wash the curtain more often to remove stains more easily.

    • Additional Recommendations

    Using baking soda in hand or machine wash improves shower curtain cleaning.

    Learn more