Plastic shower curtains and liners may be affordable and easy to replace when they get dirty, but the cost adds up over time (and it's not great for the environment). Rather than tossing them when they look worse for wear, cleaning your shower curtain and liner will make them look good as new.
Your shower curtain liner is not indestructible. Replace your shower curtain liner every six months if your bathroom is stuffy and/or you live in a humid climate. Between replacing the curtains, you'll want to wash the liner on a regular basis. It should be replaced every 7 months.
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.
Your shower curtain liner is not indestructible. Replace your shower curtain liner every six months if your bathroom is stuffy and/or you live in a humid climate. Between replacing the curtains, you'll want to wash the liner on a regular basis. It should be replaced every 7 months.
Shower curtain liners are fairly cheap. They can be washed and last quite a while before needing to be replaced. When ready to replace it, you can look into buying a cloth/fabric curtain that repels water and eliminate the need for a vinyl liner. You can reuse your old liner, too.
Tile showers will usually need to be replaced every 40 to 50 years, and they will also typically need to be re-grouted and resealed every few years. They could theoretically last for far longer than this, but the issue is that the shower pan liner will typically have an average life span of around 45 years.
The frequency of replacing a shower liner depends on its quality, the amount of use, and how well it's maintained. Generally, a shower liner can last anywhere from 6 months to a year. However, if you notice signs of mold, mildew, or the liner is ripped, it's time to replace it.
But if it's your first fabric liner, you will notice an upgrade in how it hangs (more naturally) and feels (softer!). And washing it really is as easy as tossing it in the wash with a few bath towels to prevent the liner from getting crinkly.
This common issue is primarily caused by convection. The hot air rises as you shower, drawing in cooler air from below. This creates a pressure imbalance that causes the shower curtain to billow inward, disrupting your shower experience and potentially allowing water to escape onto the bathroom floor.
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.”
"Regular washing, or about once every one to two weeks, is recommended to maintain cleanliness and a healthy sleep environment," says Harris. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet. Once a month if you do. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet.
Can you clean your shower curtain/liner in the washing machine? Yes. You should plan to machine-wash your shower curtain about once a month to keep it mildew-free. Be sure to double check the care tag on your curtain to make sure you clean it properly.
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.
How Long Does a Shower Head Usually Last? Changing shower heads every six to eight months is often recommended, but many people are unaware.
Why Does My Shower Curtain Liner Get So Dirty? Even the most water-repellent shower curtain liners can become stained because of the accumulation of soap scum and hard water. The consistent interaction of soap and the minerals form precipitate, or soap scum, that can stain shower curtain liners.
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.
When shopping for a shower curtain liner, you should start by determining what material you want. Vinyl liners are durable, waterproof, and resistant to mold and mildew, while fabric liners are lighter and options like our best washable pick can even be machine washed right along with the rest of your laundry.
If your bathroom is stuffy and/or you live in a humid state, you need to replace your shower curtain liner every six months — but at least once a year even for the most well-ventilated bathrooms. Furthermore, the cleaning pros at Merry Maids say you should be washing the liner monthly between replacements.
You can wash the shower curtain or liner with either laundry detergent or substitute the detergent with ¼ cup of white vinegar, same as you'd use to pretreat the shower curtain. Vinegar will cut the soap scum buildup, oils and mildew.
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.
"If you allow mold to grow uncontrolled, it can become embedded in the curtain, which makes it impossible to eradicate." Consider purchasing a liner to help prolong the life of your shower curtain. Replace it every six to 12 months, and do the same for curtains you can't wash.
We recommend: Stay away from PVC or Vinyl shower curtain liners.