Some people may think that having a clean bathroom is an art. Keeping a clean bathroom may be important to you as well but you might be forgetting one small thing to keep clean. Did you know that your plastic shower curtain builds up more mildew and soap scum than any other part of your house?
It may seem that the best option would be throwing away your shower liner and not dealing with the hassle, but that is not the case. We have a couple methods that will show you just how easy cleaning your shower liner really is, and a couple of methods to stop it from getting dirty in the first place.
The Different Methods in Cleaning a Plastic Shower Curtain
We’re here to show you that keeping your house sparkling clean is neither difficult nor expensive. Luckily, all of the tools needed to clean your shower curtain are common household items.
Washing machine
The first method is to throw it in the washing machine. There is hardly any hassle on your part and you can make it a part of your laundry routine.
You just have to add a few extra things in the machine when you put it in. The first thing you’ll need to add is a couple of extra towels in the washing machine with the curtain. This is gentler on the liner and it works by scrubbing along the liner and working away the grime.
Next, you’ll need to add your cleaning agent. The options you can use are either vinegar, bleach, baking soda, or laundry detergent. Just make sure you don’t all of these at the same time and choose one. If you have it on hand, you could also add a few drops of tea tree oil to help kill the mold and mildew.
One important tip is to use warm water and not hot. Hot water can potentially melt your shower curtain.
Wash by hand
If you don’t want to run an entire cycle of your washing machine or make a trip to your nearest laundry mat, there is still an option for you. Washing your shower liner by hand is just as effective.
For this method, start by laying out your shower curtain and sprinkle a light layer of baking soda across it. From there, all you need to do is gently scrub it with a damp micro-fiber cloth. After you’ve cleaned the entire curtain, rinse it with warm water and you can add more baking soda to any patches that are still dirty. Continue this routine until the entire curtain is as good as new.
With both of these methods be sure to hang up your shower liner to air dry. Do not put it in your dryer.
How Often Should They be Washed?
Most people have never washed their plastic shower curtains or even knew that they were supposed to. Now that you know how and why you should wash your curtain; how often does it need to be done?
Once a month will keep your shower liner mold and mildew free. When you think about how often the curtain is being used, it makes sense why it should be done so often. If you find that you can’t keep up with that schedule than once every three months will be enough to keep it clean.
How to Avoid Dirt on Shower Curtains?
It is even more effective to stop the dirt and grime from appearing before it gets to the point of needing a full cleaning. We have a few easy options for you.
Coating your shower curtain
One option is to coat your plastic shower curtain with something that will stop the mildew before it even begins to grow.
Spraying your shower curtain each day after your shower is one potential option for coating your curtain. All you have to do is mix equal parts water with vinegar in a spray bottle. Once the curtain is coated with the mixture, use your shower head with warm water to spray the vinegar away.
If you’re looking for an option that does not need to be reapplied daily, we have some options there as well. You can coat your shower curtain with something more resistant. Using car wax, baby oil, or furniture oil will stop the soap scum from sticking to the slick surface. It also is too smooth of a surface for mold to begin to form on.
If you do not feel like dealing with the hassle of coating your own shower curtain, it is an option to buy a pre-treated curtain. These have preventive chemicals that stop the mold and mildew from ever being able to grow. Make sure to check the package when purchasing for this option.
Aerate your shower curtain
If you don’t want to use any sprays or chemicals there are a few simple preventative methods to keep your curtain clean.
The first thing you need to remember is that mildew grows in damp dark spaces. Make sure you keep as much humidity out of your bathroom as possible. If you have windows in your bathroom keep them open as often as possible to let out some of the moist air. This will also let in natural light that naturally fights mildew and mold build-up.
Make sure to keep your bathroom fan on at all times when the shower is in use. This will also help to control the humidity in the room.
The simplest option of all is to close your shower curtain after each use. Not letting it bunch together can work wonders on keeping it clean. This lets the curtain aerate and doesn’t leave any dark folds for mold to begin to grow. You may also check the best shower curtain rod for tiles.
Conclusion
Your plastic shower curtain has the potential to be one of the dirtiest places in your house with the constant build-up of mold and mildew, but that does not mean that it has to be. With these tips, your bathroom can be just as clean as the rest of your house. Now you can think twice before throwing away your shower curtain, and instead, save yourself a few extra dollars. You may also visit our review on HotelSpa 3-way Luxury Shower Combo for having a spa experience.