How to Care for Your Shower Curtain

The way you will care for your shower curtain is largely dependant on what type of material the curtain is made out of.

Is caring for your shower curtain any different than caring for regular clothing? In some ways, yes, in other ways, no. The way you will care for your shower curtain is largely dependant on what type of material the curtain is made out of.

For care as they hang, shower curtains need to be dried out after each shower or bath that is taken in the bathroom. Whether you have a vinyl liner or not, your shower curtain will be damp from the moisture in the bathroom. In order to keep them long lasting and in good shape, and to keep mildew from growing on your shower curtain, close the curtain after each shower to allow it to air dry. You can also spray your shower curtain with a mildew inhibitor, which will stop mildew from growing and keep your shower curtain smelling fresh and clean.

When it is time to wash your shower curtain, again, it will depend largely on the type of material your curtain is made of. For example, if the material is delicate, such as lace, then you will need to wash them as you would delicate clothing—usually by hand using a gentle detergent, or in the delicate cycle on your washing machine.

If the material is heavier, then you can wash your shower curtain in the washing machine on a regular cycle. It is important to remember to take the shower curtain rings off the shower curtain before placing them in the washer or dryer. Plastic shower curtain rings can melt in the heat of a dryer.

You can either tumble dry or hang dry your shower curtains. Some shower curtains can be ironed, but not if they are vinyl lined. Vinyl lined shower curtains will melt under the heat of a iron.

Your vinyl shower curtain liner can be sprayed clean with mildew cleaner or bathroom cleaner, or it can be washed in hot water in the washing machine on a delicate cycle. You can add bleach to the water for the liner as well to help kill any mildew and wash off hard-water spots on the liner.

If your shower curtains are store bought, refer to the tag to see how they can be washed, and follow those directions.

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