Much like how your towel gets damp after drying off, your curtain would absorb the spray bouncing off your body in the shower. If not dried properly, this can lead to mold or mildew. You also need a plastic liner to protect your decorative curtain from becoming dirty.
You will, most likely, only need a liner if you have a cotton shower curtain, as cotton absorbs moisture more than the other materials mentioned. Most liners are made out of vinyl which naturally repels water. Weighted liners are also good to have, as they stay in place more easily.
Shower Curtains & Shower Curtain Liners: Every 6 Months
If you have a plastic shower curtain liner, it's easy to see when mold, mildew, or other buildup has accumulated. You can wash it with a diluted bleach solution and a sponge, throw it in the washing machine (hang to dry), or just toss it and purchase a new one.
After showering make sure to keep the curtain liner closed. Meaning, keep is pulled out so no water can be trapped in the folds. Use a bathroom fan to help with the humidity. Also, if it is possible you can wash the liner in the washing machine. If it is a plastic liner just buy a new one every so often.
“And always use double hooks so that the liner can hang inside the tub while the decorative curtain stays on the outside,” Pulcine suggests.
Shower curtains typically hang outside of the bathtub and are used for privacy and style. They're often made of fabric that absorbs (rather than repels) water, meaning they're not waterproof and take longer to dry. Shower liners protect your bathroom and stop water in its tracks.
The decorative curtain should stay outside the tub while the liner hangs inside for the best moisture control. By allowing air to flow between the curtain and the liner, this arrangement improves the drying process for both materials. Between washings, mildew, and mold growth can be reduced with adequate ventilation.
That dirty or aging shower curtain and shower curtain liner do not always need to be thrown away and replaced. They can be easily cleaned and brought back to like-new condition, saving you both money and time during those occasional house cleaning projects.
Method 1: Ammonia and distilled water. Many hotels use ammonia-based cleaning solutions because ammonia readily cuts through dirt and soap scum.
As soon as you get out of the shower, wipe the floor and close the curtain so it can fully dry out. Shower curtains are prime targets for mildew. If you have a shower with a door, leave the door open to air out the inside of the shower.
According to Annie Chiu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute, there's a clear guidance on when to make the swap. “Generally, you should change your towels every three to four uses,” she says. “This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria and odors.”
You can opt for either an 8-gauge or 10-gauge liner. If you're looking for something that will really last, we recommend choosing the 10-gauge option, which is on the stiffer side but better suited for heavy use. In our testing, we also liked that it stayed in place nicely while we showered.
The pink tint on your shower curtain is often caused by a bacterium called Serratia marcescens. This bacterium thrives in moist environments and is commonly found in bathrooms. It produces a pinkish pigment, leading to the discoloration of various surfaces, including shower curtains.
PEVA & EVA Shower Liners
Chlorine is one of the main reasons why PVC liners emit such a terrible smell, so having a chlorine-free liner is certainly preferable for your health. You won't have to worry about any noxious fumes off-gassing from a PEVA or EVA liner.
If your curtains are made from very thick, woven wool then they may be heavy enough already. If you have chosen draperies that are sheer by design, like net curtains, then naturally you wouldn't want to line those. Thinner cotton or polyester curtains should be lined, however, to stop them looking washed out.
Penetrations in shower linings should be waterproofed with a proprietary system or sealant to prevent water damage.
Keep doors closed all the time.
After you shower, the interior space is at its wettest point. Try to keep the doors open for a half hour or so until the steam clears. If you have a fan in your bathroom, make sure to turn it on and let the air circulate.
You can also use Lysol® Disinfectant Spray to control and prevent the spread of mold and mildew, as well as its nasty odor.
Yet, hydrogen peroxide is one of the best shower cleaners used by professionals. All you need is a toothbrush and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Before using any chemicals, scrub the grout with water to dislodge loose debris. Rinse thoroughly, and then go in with the hydrogen peroxide.
Additionally, the liner is designed to act as a barrier that prevents soap scum, mold, and mildew from getting onto your more porous shower curtain – thus preserving the curtain's life. Without a liner, you would have to replace the shower curtain more often.
How often to wash a shower curtain? As a best practice, consider washing your shower curtains at least once a month. With daily usage in your home, shower curtains and liners can quickly become soiled, but by regularly hand washing or running through your washing machine can help keep them fresh and clean.
Because of their function, shower curtain liners are often wet—and where there's moisture, there's the inevitable mold, mildew and soap scum. Here's how to wash a shower curtain liner and keep it clean.
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.
The textured side should be facing out. If you look at the grommets, you can tell which way should be facing out - the smooth or front side of the grommet.
You simply put the liner on the inside part of the hooks and the curtain on the outside part. Hope this helps!