Step 2: Wash the shower curtain in the washer Add a couple of bath towels, which will help wipe off dirt and residue and to help balance the load.
Remove the rings, then toss the curtain and the liner in the washing machine along with a couple of white towels. The towels will provide extra scrubbing for better cleaning, as well as balancing the load. Add the regular amount of detergent and 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda.
Both fabric and decent plastic shower curtains can be laundered and reused. Just throw plastic curtains into the washer with a few towels. I wouldn't put a plastic shower curtain in a clothes dryer, I just rehang in the shower to dry.
Put whatever you can in the washing machine, if you have one. Check the tags for washing instructions. Most curtain liners can safely travel through the wash (yes, even plastic ones!). And if your bath mat doesn't have a rubber backing, it can probably be tossed in the machine, too.
Most fabric, plastic and vinyl shower curtains can be cleaned in the washing machine. Curtains with magnets in the bottom are also usually fine to toss in the washer. As with any item, check the care label first for specific instructions.
Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.
Never put it in the dryer, as this may cause the curtain to become misshapen or melted. Because mildew breeds in damp, warm areas, it's important to keep things dry. After showering, keep the shower liner inside the tub and the curtain outside of it so that air can move between the two.
Shower Curtains & Shower Curtain Liners: Every 6 Months
While your shower curtain doesn't need to be washed or replaced as often as the other items in your bathroom, you should clean it now and then. If you have a plastic shower curtain liner, it's easy to see when mold, mildew, or other buildup has accumulated.
While you should clean out your shower at least once a week, you only need to clean off your shower curtains every one to three months. Simply wipe down your shower curtain with a disinfecting agent and rinse it off afterward.
Method 1: Ammonia and distilled water. Many hotels use ammonia-based cleaning solutions because ammonia readily cuts through dirt and soap scum.
Allow curtain to dry completely between showers
Spread curtain open and hang it outside of the tub to dry after taking a shower. Reducing humidity in your bathroom by opening a window or running the overhead fan can also help with drying.
Fill a spray bottle with a 1:1 ratio of bleach and water, then spray any pink spots on your shower curtain and liner (if it's a colorful curtain, use a color-safe cleaner like OxiClean). Let sit for 10 minutes. Then remove both the curtain and the liner and run it through a cycle in the washing machine.
Mix a paste of baking soda and a small amount of water in a small bowl. Dip a soft-bristled brush in the paste and gently scrub the mold-stained areas of the curtain. Be sure to scrub both sides of the vinyl or fabric. Wash the curtain as usual and hang to air-dry.
Before you hang up a new shower curtain, you first need to buy a shower liner. Why? Because shower liners protect your shower curtain from getting wet and growing mold and mildew. A liner also keeps the water in the tub or shower.
Plastic shower curtains can usually be machine-washed. You may have concerns that the curtain might melt in the washing machine, however, a wash at a low temperature, on a gentle cycle will not risk damage to either the machine or the curtain: 30 or even 40 degrees is perfectly safe.
Over time, bath and shower curtains can become dirty due to mould, mildew and a build-up of soap scum. Shower curtains can easily be washed and refreshed, either by hand or in the washing machine.
As a general rule, it is recommended to replace your bath towels every two to three years, with five years the maximum. Over time, frequent laundering and normal wear and tear can cause towels to lose their absorbency and become less soft.
During high occupancy periods, each shower curtain and liner should be removed from the shower curtain rod for laundering. Every day, each room attendant should replace three shower curtain setups as part of her 16 guestroom-cleaning requirement.
First, mix one part white vinegar to four parts water in a spray bottle. Close the shower curtain so it extends the full length of the tub or stall, and, on the tub-side, spray with the vinegar and water solution. The vinegar will work to break down soap scum and mold.
"Select cold water and rinse for dark color curtains and cool/lukewarm water for light color curtains," suggests Adams. "Do not use hot water." Once you've run them through the washing machine, you can dry the curtains by hanging them on a clothesline or tumbling them in a dryer on the no-heat setting.
Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.
White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.
To use baking soda in laundry, simply add it to your washing machine tub. You can also dissolve it in water first to make a paste for targeted stain removal. Keep in mind that while baking soda is generally safe for most fabrics, you'll want to spot-test it on a small area first, especially on delicate fabrics.