Shower curtain clean

How to Clean a Shower Curtain and Liner

It's easier than you might think, especially when you have our DIY cleaning solution.

Plastic shower curtains and liners may be affordable and easy to replace when they get dirty, but the cost adds up over time. Instead of tossing them when they start to look a little worse for wear, try cleaning your shower curtains and liners—doing so is actually fairly simple and will save you time and money in the long run. "Cleaning your shower curtain can be a very quick and easy task, so it's a much more cost-effective choice than buying a new one every time any stain appears," says Lauren Bowen, director of franchise operations at Two Maids and a Mop. "Instead of spending money replacing the curtain every month, you can just spend a little extra time in your bathroom cleaning routine and, as a result, can extend the life of your curtain for months to years longer."

bathroom with light blue tile

Credit: Pieter Estersohn / Getty Images

How to Clean a Cloth Shower Curtain

Since your cloth shower curtain doesn't hang directly next to the water, says Bowen, it doesn't need a weekly clean. "Washing your curtain once every three months is usually enough to keep it in good shape." The simplest way to launder your shower curtain is in the washing machine, but check the tag to ensure this method is safe first. Take the shower curtain off the rings or hooks—this will be the most time-intensive part of the job—and set your washer to a gentle cycle, using warm water, the highest water setting and, "a couple of drops of detergent and a cup of white vinegar," says Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid. "Once the cycle is complete, hang your curtain back on the rod to air dry."

How to Clean a Plastic Shower Curtain or Liner

A plastic curtain or liner, which takes the brunt of the spray during your shower, should be cleaned more often: "The ideal frequency for your liner [to be cleaned] is once a month to stay ahead of any mold growth, as it is the closest to all of the moisture," says Bowen. "If your curtain is made of plastic, you can still use your washer, but switch up the settings to cool water, and add a bath towel or two in the load to prevent the curtains from wrinkling too much. "

As an extra mold- and mildew-fighting step, you can add detergent or a more powerful cleaner: Bowen recommends adding one-half cup of baking soda and one-quarter cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle, while Paterson typically adds bleach. "Make sure not to mix any of these cleaning items, as they could cause a reaction to each other," says Paterson. "If you are specifically looking to kill mold spores or remove mildew, we highly recommend bleach as your washing product choice. This method helps remove any built-up mold or mildew, which is very common on plastic shower curtains that are constantly exposed to moisture and warmth." After washing, remember to let your plastic curtain hang to dry, as it will melt in the dryer.

How to Make a DIY Cleaning Solution for Non-Machine Washable Shower Curtains and Liners

If you don't have access to a washing machine large enough for your curtain or liner, or if the material does not allow for machine washing, Bowen suggests a DIY option. "For a fast, easy fix, mix one-part vinegar to four parts water in a spray bottle," she says. "On the side that hangs in the tub, which will be especially prone to mold growth, spray the solution and saturate the curtain completely. The vinegar will help break down mold and soap scum that has gathered on the curtain." Do the same for any other parts of the curtain that look dirty, and then rinse with warm water. "For a more thorough, deeper clean, you can hand-wash the curtain in the tub," says Bowen. "Remove it from the rod and fill your tub or a large sink with water. Mix one-quarter cup of baking soda and a splash of laundry detergent into the water, and then hand wash your curtain. Air dry by hanging it back up on the rod."

How to Clean a Shower Curtain & Shower Curtain Liner

That dirty or aging shower curtain and shower curtain liner do not always need to be thrown away and replaced. They can be easily cleaned and brought back to like-new condition in no time, saving you both money and time during those occasional house cleaning projects. Just follow these shower curtain cleaning tips!

How to Clean a Shower Curtain

Cleaning a cloth shower curtain requires a little more care than cleaning a plastic curtain liner.

Remove your shower curtain from the rings.
Fill your washing machine with warm water on the largest load setting.
Add a couple of drops of detergent and a cup of white vinegar.
Toss in your cloth shower curtain on a gentle setting.
Once the cycle is complete, hang your curtain back on the rod to air dry.

Can You Wash a Plastic Shower Curtain?

Yes, you can wash a plastic shower curtain in the washer. However, when you are washing it be sure to:

Keep it on a cool setting
Add a bath towel or two
Never put your plastic curtain in the dryer
Always air dry your shower curtain

How to Clean a Plastic Shower Curtain

Washing a plastic shower curtain requires you to add either a half cup of color-safe bleach, detergent, vinegar or baking soda to your washing cycle along with a few towels on a cool setting. Make sure not to mix any of these cleaning items, as they could cause a reaction to each other.

If you are specifically looking to kill mold spores or remove mildew, we highly recommend bleach as your washing product choice. After washing, simply hang your plastic curtain back up to dry.

How to Clean a Shower Curtain Liner

Simply take down the curtain and toss it in your washing machine.
Add a bath towel to help with scrubbing the shower liner.
Make sure you keep it on the gentle setting to avoid damaging the liner.
Hang the shower curtain liner to dry.

This method helps remove any built-up mold or mildew, which is very common on shower curtain liners that are constantly exposed to moisture and warmth. Following this suggestion is likely to save you approximately $20 – or the cost of a new shower curtain liner – and will help with the overall impression your shower makes.

How to Clean Shower Curtain Rings

While your shower curtain or curtain liner is in the wash, take this as an opportunity to clean your shower curtain rings. Your shower curtain rings are exposed to all sorts of steam, soap scum and dust – they can get pretty dirty.

We recommend filling your bathroom sink with hot water and a cup of white vinegar. Soak your rings while your curtain is in the wash. Drain the sink and rinse the rings in warm water, using your fingers to scrape off any limescale or soap scum that remains.

Professional Bathroom & House Cleaning Services

While Molly Maid doesn’t include shower curtain cleaning as part of our regular cleaning services, we do clean the bathroom from top to bottom. Your shower walls, the inside of your tub, the sink, mirror, countertops, tile floor and toilet – it’s all covered! Just call (800) 654-9647 to contact your local Molly Maid to get started today. Or request a free estimate online.

How to clean shower curtains

September 14 Advice

The action plan depends a lot on the material.

Determine what material the curtains are made of

Not every curtain can be washed and not ruined.

Polyethylene . These curtains do not tolerate cleaning well, they cannot be machine washed, and various detergents can easily discolor or destroy the print. Therefore, it is better not to wash heavily soiled polyethylene curtains, but to change them for new ones. nine0014
Vinyl (polyvinyl chloride). It is better to clean these curtains by hand - creases easily appear on the vinyl after the typewriter. In order not to be mistaken, it is worth checking the label. If the manufacturer allows automatic washing, everything is in order. But if it is prohibited or the label has not been preserved, it is not worth the risk.
Polyester. Fabric curtains are the most unpretentious. They can be machine-washed, hand-washed, or stain-removing.

It is also important to look at what the sewn-in rings are made of, with which the curtain is attached to the cornice. nine0003 Frame: Tips for the home / YouTube

If they are metal, they should not be in the water for a long time. So when soaking, make sure that the rings do not get wet. It is better not to wash curtains with metal elements in a typewriter.

Estimate the degree of soiling

If the curtain is generally clean and only a few yellowed or rusty areas bother you, you can try to get rid of only them.

But if there are a lot of stains and they are distributed over the entire surface of the curtain, you cannot do without a global wash. nine0003

Try removing stains

Select the appropriate method according to the type of dirt.

Rust and yellow stains

Orange stains are due to rust, but yellow stains are alkali deposits. And acidic solutions will cope with those and others. For example, regular food vinegar 9% or lemon juice.

Apply a teaspoon of the solution to the stain, let it sit for 10-15 minutes and rub it thoroughly with a sponge or brush. Then rinse the curtain with clean water using the shower head and let it dry naturally. nine0003

Mold stains

Alkaline solutions work well with them. For example, ordinary baking soda.

Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2-3 drops of ammonia and apply the paste to the stain. Wait 10-15 minutes, wipe thoroughly with a sponge or brush, rinse the curtain under running water and let dry.

You can also use commercial bleach, with or without chlorine, this is also an alkaline solution. Dilute it in water and soak the stain in it for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse and let dry. nine0003

If necessary, wash the whole curtain

This can be done in two ways: in the washing machine and by hand.

In the washing machine

If the curtain is seriously yellowed or too stained, soak it for 1-2 hours in a bleach solution before washing. It is better to do this in a bathtub or a basin of large diameter so that the curtain does not have to be wrinkled and twisted.

Then put the curtain in the tank of the machine along with a couple of terry towels - they will act as soft cleaning brushes. Add laundry detergent. nine0003

Wash the curtain on a delicate cycle, at a water temperature of 40 degrees or below. Be sure to turn off the spin cycle so as not to wrinkle the fabric.

After washing, unfold the curtain in the tub to drain the water. And then hang it on a ledge and let it dry.

Manual

Lay the curtain in a large diameter tub or basin. Add 50 g of laundry soap, a measuring spoon of powder and, if there is a lot of dirt, a teaspoon of any store-bought stain remover.

Fill the curtain with warm water - no more than 40 degrees. nine0003 Stills: Home Tips / YouTube

Leave to soak for 1-2 hours. Then, using a soft-bristled brush or dishwashing sponge dipped in detergent solution, go over the entire surface of the curtain. Pay special attention to areas with streaks.

In difficult cases, sprinkle a little kitchen cleaner on the stain and scrub thoroughly with a brush or sponge.

Footage: Tips for the home / YouTube

Rinse the curtain in clean water. Wait for it to drain, and then hang the curtain on the curtain rod and let it dry without wringing. nine0003

Keep your curtain clean

Follow these simple tips:

Rinse your curtain with water after every bath. When you wash, drops of shampoo, shower gel, conditioners and hair balms get on the curtain. If they are not washed off in time, they will turn into untidy gray or yellowish spots.
Keep the curtain dry . Constant high humidity is the main reason why mold and rust stains appear on the curtains. If the bathroom is poorly ventilated and even an open door does not help, at least from time to time try to wipe the curtain dry with a towel. nine0014
Do not twist the curtain on the eaves and do not place the bottom of the curtain on the bathtub . In this position, water stagnates in the bends of the curtain, which can lead to the growth of mold or other stains.
Light cleaning every 3-4 weeks. Dampen a cloth or sponge with a cleaning solution (e.g. 1 tablespoon of dishwashing detergent per liter of water) and wipe at least the lower half of the curtain. Then rinse with water and let dry.

Bathroom screen. Care instructions

When you take a shower, it protects the bathroom from splashes. Choose a curtain that matches the style of the interior or interesting colors, then it can be supported by a suitable rug and the effect of updating the room will be comparable to a redecoration.

The curtain gets dirty quickly, as it comes into contact with water, shampoos and shower gels. What to do if you do not want to quickly part with her? How to take care of it in order to prolong its service life? nine0003

Just rinsing the curtain with clean water after taking a shower is good, but not enough. It can and should be washed regularly, to deal with possible stains and prevent mold. Care will largely depend on the material from which the product is made.

Water-repellent cotton

In the photo: Objects bathroom screen from the Cuts&Pieces collection

If this is a Tkano brand curtain, then it is washed at temperatures up to 30º C. A cotton product can be carefully ironed from the wrong side at temperatures up to 110º C. It is better to dry in a straightened state, tumble drying is prohibited. Avoid bleaching and dry cleaning, they will damage the appearance and quality characteristics. nine0003

Remove the curtain from the rings and place it in the tub or shower tray. Using a sponge or soft brush, dampen the stains you want to remove and wipe them with soapy water. Then you can wash it in the washing machine on a delicate cycle with a minimum spin.

Water repellent coated polyester

In the photo: bathroom curtain in dark blue with Sun Spots print from the Wild collection, Mint bathroom curtain with Sun Spots print from the Wild collection.

This Tkano brand polyester curtain can also be washed in a delicate wash at a low temperature to avoid deformation, a maximum of 30º C. Tumble drying and ironing are unacceptable, so it must be dried in a straightened state. Due to the color print, bleaching and dry cleaning are also prohibited.

Remove the curtain from the rings, place it in the tub or shower tray and dampen with water. Then wipe it in those places where there are stains, with a soft brush or sponge dipped in soapy water. Then place in the drum of the washing machine and run the "delicate wash" program with or without a minimum spin. nine0003

Mold prevention

Mold growth is easier to prevent than to deal with it later. To protect the curtain from mold, leave it as wide as possible so that water does not linger in the folds, and ventilate the bathroom.

In the photo: bathroom curtain with forest lace print from the Russian North collection

Some useful tips

- If you use liquid shower gel instead of soap, there will be less residue on the curtain.