How to clean your shower curtain

How to clean a shower curtain in the washing machine

The thought of hand-washing a shower curtain is enough to send a shiver down anyone’s spine. After all, it's like boxing with shadows! The good news is, most shower curtains are machine washable! (To be sure, refer to the label).

What you’ll need

• 1 tablespoon of laundry washing powder
• 3 tablespoons of white vinegar
• 10-15 drops of tea tree oil
• 2 old bath towels
• Access to a washing machine

Step by step

1. Remove your shower curtain. Take it off the rail and make sure to remove all the rings and/or hooks that are used to hold it up. (This is to avoid damaging your washing machine).

2. Washing machine time. Head over to your washing machine and throw in the shower curtain along with the 2 towels before adding washing powder and a loaded cup of white vinegar.

3. Pick your cycle. Set the washing machine to the most delicate cycle available with a maximum temperature of 30°C (for 100% cotton, you can increase the temperature up to 60°C). If your washing machine allows you to select only the type of fabric, we recommend setting it to "delicate" with a cycle of at least one and a half hours.

4. Remove it from the machine. Take your shower curtain out once the cycle has finished and hang it up in a place that will allow it to dry out completely. Once dry, hang it back up in your bathroom and you’re good to go!

How to clean a shower curtain without a washing machine

If it just so happens that you do not currently have access to a washing machine, we’ve got you covered! Discover how to hand wash your shower curtain step by step.

Step by step

1. Mix together water and baking soda and wet your sponge with the mixture.

2. Give your shower liner a thorough scrub to remove the built-up grime and limescale.

3. Rinse off the shower curtain by wiping it down with a wet microfiber cloth or rag, or alternately using the shower head.

4. If some stains or mildew resist, cover them with baking soda. After 15 minutes, rub them with a sponge.

5. Thoroughly rinse off your shower curtain one last time before hanging it up to dry completely, and you’re done!

Tips for keeping a shower curtain clean

So, now you’ve got yourself a nice clean shower curtain, but how long will it stay clean, you ask? A shower curtain can quickly become the perfect place for mildew and limescale from getting wet every day. With the right reflexes, you'll be able to keep your shower curtain clean for longer!

Cut your shower curtain to size

Most shower curtains come in a one-size-fits-all size. This means that there is a good chance that yours is actually too wide for the space it needs to cover. Consider cutting it down in width to decrease the number of times it needs to fold over itself when pushed back, which in turn will allow it to dry more easily and give mould less surface to grow on!

Dry your shower curtain properly after each use

To avoid trapping moisture, remember to draw open your shower curtain after each use and air the room until it is dry, remembering to turn off the heater.

Spray your shower curtain regularly with white vinegar

Given that shower curtains get wet every day and are rarely hung out to dry properly, they become the perfect place for bacteria and mould to grow.

The best way to counteract this build-up is to treat yours as often as possible with a deterrent. Now, you might be thinking that this will involve some sort of special chemical spray, but you would be wrong!

We have found the best substance you can spray onto your shower curtains to keep mould at bay is household white vinegar! It’s natural, non-damaging to your shower drains, and it does wonders to kill off any lingering mildew that might be starting to build up. Give it a quick spray once a week and you’ll be surprised at just how well it is able to fight away the grime!

So now you’re fully prepared to tackle that shower curtain and know how to keep it clean! If you have any tricks of your own that you would like us to add in, make sure to let us know!

More cleaning tips for you

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• How to clean your drains