how do you clean a shower curtain?

United States
November 25, 2008 11:40pm CST
i have a vinyl one that is the inner curtain that get wet and its got mold on it and i was going to spray and scrub it down but i cant be around strong chemicals and i would have to stretch it out some where (which there is no room for) and then i was thinking about soaking it in the tub with bleach but i would still need to scrub it which means i would be getting my arm into bleach water which wont work.. you cant wash them can you?!?! its plasticy/vinyl so i figured it would break or not clean it good enough.. or should i just throw it away? im thinking about just replacing it with one that is Antimicrobial Shower Curtain that will resist mold etc to i dont have to deal with it but eh.. not like i wanna spend money on a shower curtain when there is so many other things ya know?? so any tips on how to clean it with out me having to inhale a crap load of fumes??
7 people like this
23 responses
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
26 Nov 08
Showers are refreshing - take nice relaxing shower.
I buy disposable shower curtains so when it gets to dirty I just through it away and buy another one, and there made of thick plastic so if your in to recycling you can recycle them there nice they look pretty too, they have really nice designs and patterns on them you can buy any style you want.
2 people like this
• United States
26 Nov 08
i didnt know u could recycle them! hmmm
• United States
26 Nov 08
guess i never thought about a shower curtain being recyclable which is sad since i recycle everything lol
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
26 Nov 08
Yes most plastics are recyclable.
1 person likes this
@walkthetalk (1307)
• United States
26 Nov 08
I would try putting it in the washer. If that doesn't work. Chuck it and buy a new one. That's what I'd do.
• United States
26 Nov 08
would i put laundry detergent or cleaner in the washer?? i would worry the cleaner would stay in the washer and discolor my next wash
1 person likes this
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
27 Nov 08
Use laundry detergent and a little bit of bleach. Then, hang it up to dry. I have used this method myself, and it has always worked quite well.
1 person likes this
@oldboy46 (2129)
• Australia
27 Nov 08
You can put it in the washing machine and to make sure that all the grot is cleaned off, out some "roughage" in at the same time. You can use towels or some similar type of material, i.e. something that is not light and flimsy as neither of these will do the job. Ordinary Laundry detergent will do the trick. Just make sure that you put the towels (or whatever) through a second wash tio make sure the moiuld spores are not on them. Another option is you are feeling really energetic is to put some vinegar in a spray bottle and use that to clean the shower curtain. You can either leave the shower curtain hanging up or else take it down and do it in the tub, whichever you prefer. You just spray the vinegar directly onto the shower curtain and then wait a few minutes and wipe it off. As I said though, you do need to be energetic if you use this method but on the positive side of things, there are no nasty fumes for you to inhale. Once the shower curtain has been washed and rinsed, so al the mould has gone, you simply hang it back up to dry. Just make sure that you spread it out across the rail so it doesn't cling as it dries because it will not dry properly and you wisk the mould returning. Good luck and there is no need to throw out a perfectly good shower curtain if you can remove the mould without any ill effects.
2 people like this
• United States
29 Nov 08
i tried washing it with towels and it shredded it but i think im going to do the spray vinegar from now on..
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
26 Nov 08
Try using vinegar then. They are pretty good at getting rid of mold. But if the mould is too stubborn, then you may not have a choice but to use bleach to get the job done. Of course, changing it will be the easiest of all. Look at your shower curtain and ask yourself this. Am I going to spend more than an hour to clean this mould out? If the answer is yes, change the darn thing out! Then use the vinegar to maintain the curtain so that it will not grow mold. Most important, ensure you rinse the scum you scrub out from your body that splattered all over the curtain at the end of each shower. This will go towards reducing the growth of mold. Saves you a bunch of time and effort to have to clean it only when the mould grows.
@oldboy46 (2129)
• Australia
27 Nov 08
We put vinegar in a spray bottle and use that for cleaning. It is quick and easy to use plus it is not as messy as trying to manage a bottle which does not have a spray nozzle. Vinegar is environmentally friendly, will get rid of all sorts of bugs and does not emit horrible fumes. I think it is much better for cleaning and us too, than the cleansers that you find on the supermarket shelves. We recycle our grey water onto our lawns to keep them green and the vinegar does not harm them at all. Also is does not leave any residue in the soil and we know that because our soil has been tested. We are organic farmers and every year the authority which is responsible for certifying us as organic takes several samples are taken of the soil. That is to make sure that we have not used any banned products which is something that we have never done and will not do. We do not have any input into the areas where the soil samples are taken from but a couple of years ago we did ask the person taking the samples to get one from the lawn area. Yes they test everywhere and not just where the fruit and vegetables are grown. The tests came back fine which was good.
2 people like this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
27 Nov 08
Straightening the curtain out could help too. Cos when it gets the chance to dry out, the mold would not be able to grow. Best is to rinse it after shower so that any splattered scum on it is rinsed off. Using vinegar to wash it will also keep the mold at bay.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Nov 08
well i think the problem is i wasnt straightening out the curtain after i get done showering so its making it easier to mold since its bunched up.. silly me didnt think about it till some up above said something lol.. but yeah vinegar would be a good alternative to me i think..
1 person likes this
@ch88ss (2271)
• United States
27 Nov 08
The use of chemicals and sprays will cost you more than a new curtain. so it is better to buy new ones, pls it will give your bathroom a new look I like to every once ina while get new looks in my bathroom.
2 people like this
• United States
29 Nov 08
i spent so much time decorating my bathroom i hate to change the look but i ended up at least getting a temporary one cheap for now since the washer shredded it
1 person likes this
@raven66 (335)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
scrub it with backing soda!
2 people like this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
26 Nov 08
My shower curtains like that I always washed in the washing machine and they came clean. You know what helped, we bought the scrubbing bubble auto shower cleaner thing for our shower. It is environmentally friendly, no toxic fumes or anything liek that. That stuff works wonders. Even if you just bought that and run it every day your curtain would clean itself.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 08
well i washed it and it shredded it .. i thought about getting one of those but i didnt want it to spray my soap that sits on one of the little ridges of the side of the tub and i also didnt think i could afford to constantly get the cleaner.. i loved my swiffer i had but when it ran out its like the stuff to replace it is like over 6 bucks and i never think to buy it and when i do im like ughhh no money
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
26 Nov 08
My shower curtian also gets some mold on it and I just toss it in the washer and wash along with the towels. I just use reagular laundry soap too and all the mold washes right off. I try to wash it on a regular basis. I have read that to keep it from getting moldy to put some baby oil on it I haven't tried that yet because I can't find my baby oil and keep forgetting to get some.
• United States
29 Nov 08
i would think baby oil would make it funky.. but who knows.. weirder things have been true lol
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
29 Nov 08
What causes it to get mold is if you don't extend the curtain back after taking a shower.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 08
it could be bad ventilation.. i know my bathroom doesnt get air well.. unless the ac is blowing it steams up badly when you take a shower and since i cant keep the door open due to my pets wanting in there (and wrecking the place) i close the door and it takes forever for the moisture and steam to go away.. i think if it was better i wouldnt be dealing with it as much.. but thats all i can think of
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
26 Nov 08
Don't put it in the washer because it's going to rip and shread and before you know it, you will be not only paying for a water bill but having to spend more on a new one. I would try using vinagar and lemom juice. If you don't have a lemon on hand or juice for that matter then I would just stick with vinagar. It is one of the best cleaning solutions out there and it's not a chemical that would bother you. The most that it may do is get your tastebuds going lol because of the tangy smell it gives. Otherwise I would just head to my nearest dollar store (if you have those) and buy one for $1.00. Have a great day
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 08
ugh too late i washed it and it shredded it.. i had a feeling but everyone seemed to have done it here to i figured what the heck.. ugh... well i got a cheap non matching one at walmart for now.. but yeah im going to just use something like lemon juice or some one said vinegar (although yuck on the smell) for now on..
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
29 Nov 08
Anytime i've cleaned mine I've taken it to the car wash and hung it on those clips to hang the car mats then used the pressure washer and the soaps they have there...then i wash my car at the same time. Otherwise i just buy the cheap 1 dollar curtains from the dollar store and replace them more often than if i bought a freakishly expensive one.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Nov 08
Usually you can just throw these in the regular washing machine with detergent. It works wonders and leaves them clear and looking new. I know this because our family has had the same shower curtain for years and repeated cycles through the machine still keeps it looking like the day it was bought. I don't know about the dryer though, as my mother has always done this. Good luck getting it clean!
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 08
well the washer shredded mine but even if it came out ok i think the dryer would have been too hot and it would do better drip drying it in the shower.. but i didnt get to try that out lol
@moonight (249)
• United States
27 Nov 08
for me i wash my curtain by dropping it into washer, or liek my friend, she wash it by placing it on her deck, then use a thick hard brush and with water to clean it. it works for her so you can try that with soup. hm but i think you tried a lot of ways, maybe you can go to a wash store and ask for advice? but best just to get a new nice cheap one that you can drop into machine
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 08
i wish i had a desk to stretch it out on.. i used to have room to deal with it but this house i dont
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
27 Nov 08
Like they say, put it in the washing machine, plastic or cloth it does not matter. Trying to wipe it down by hand with vinegar or bleach is too tedious. If you are worried about it tearing put it on a gentle cycle. Do not put in the dryer, just hang it up wet and let it dry naturally. I buy my plastic shower curtains at the dollar store too. You can usually get different colours but I prefer the clear one, it goes with everything and it lets light into the shower too so it is not as dark in there. When you are finished your shower pull the curtain drawn so it is not bunched up and the curtain will dry. If you have folds near the bottom that is where the mold will form.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 08
my washer killed it but i was happy to at least get a clearer/white type this next time that isnt suppose to have a problem with mold and etc.. we shall see lol
• United States
26 Nov 08
you definately shoud replace your vinal shower curtains every few months. They are so cheap and they get gross after awhile... if it's not mold then its water stains that make it look spotty.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Nov 08
i have no money or else i would have.. i have to get one to match the outside decorated one other wise i would just pick up a crappy one when i got some extra money
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
26 Nov 08
Having worked in hotels I've dealt with shower curtains. As someone else said, they work fine in a washing machine and hang to dry. After showers leave them closed to dry. Also check periodically to see if it is dirty by rubbing it against itself. You'll be able to tell.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Nov 08
yeah i think that was my biggest mistake was not closing it every time after a shower since my bathroom doesnt ventilate great after a steamy shower so if i had remembered to do that then i should be able to avoid some of it in the future
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
26 Nov 08
Hi, If it is a good one you could put in the washer or something . or if it is a cheap one like i have you could just buy another one and when you do just wipe it down with a scrubbing wipe as often as you think about it . they have those in most $ stores . i always wanted a real nice set ya know , but my bathroom needs so much work so i go cheap now LOL.
• United States
26 Nov 08
yeah i had redid my bathroom when i moved here to where EVERYTHING they matched and had a theme so thats why i cant just go and pick any old thing to replace it with because i want it to match.. it should be good enough quality to be able to wash.. i got it in the washer so we shall see lol
@philjas (1134)
• United States
26 Nov 08
I always buy fabric shower curtains because you can put them in the washing machine. They cost a little more but it's worth it.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Nov 08
this came as a set with a material one other wise i would have gotten one that wouldnt be such a pain
• United Kingdom
26 Nov 08
I really don't bother nowadays! They are so cheap to replace that I just buy a new one after so many months. They really are hard to clean and so I don't waste the energy. When you buy a new shower curtain it looks so nice and it's so regrettable that it ends up being all grimy and dirty! Andrew
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Nov 08
yeah well money is non existent right now other wise i would have
• United States
26 Nov 08
Wash it in the washing machine. That is how I always washed mine and it works really good. It is to big of a pain to take it down and do it by hand. Mine is not vinal, it is cloth. But I have washed vinal ones in the machine before and it works real good. Put in a little bleach (not much) and it will get rid of mildew and germs and stuff.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Nov 08
yeah some one above said to put towels in with it to help it not get beat up and etc so i didnt use bleach but just my regular laundry detergent.. i havent pulled it out yet to know if i am gonna have to rewash the towels or not.. i guess i should.. the laundry detergent might not have been enough to really clean that.. ugh.. they are dark towels though so i cant use bleach