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.
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.
Do you want them to open at the same time or independently of each other? If together then sure you can hang them on the same hook if you want. If independent then not only do they need separate hooks but also a separate pole.
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.
A shower curtain can be made of regular cloth like a heavy draping materials, which means it will need a liner which is made of thin film of plastic or vinyl. The draping material stays outside the tub perimeter while the liner stays inside to prevent water drippings outside the tub..
Your shower liner should be cleaned once a month because it comes into direct contact with water. "The liners are more likely to accumulate bacteria and mold due to frequent use," says Katie Dills, the senior vice president of The Cleaning Authority. To prevent this buildup, monthly cleaning is a must.
Penetrations in shower linings should be waterproofed with a proprietary system or sealant to prevent water damage.
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.
Use Suction Cups
Attaching suction cups to the bottom of the shower curtain can offer a practical fix. These can be fastened to the wall or the edge of the bath, securing the curtain in place. This method is beneficial for both shower enclosures and baths with overhead showers.
Types of Shower Curtains and Their Benefits
Vinyl shower curtains: Available in various sizes, vinyl curtains are durable, water-resistant, and easy to maintain. They're a budget-friendly option and perform well in humid environments, making them a great fit for walk-in showers.
Because the double rod separates the curtain and liner, there is more space between the two, so drying is more efficient, reducing mold and mildew." From a design point of view, the double rods can also help brighten things up by allowing you to leave the decorative curtain open while bathing to bring in more light.
remember to leave the shower curtain open to dry so it doesn't get moldy!
Always protect your curtain with a liner. Choose a liner that is the same size or an inch or two smaller than your curtain. To hang the panel, we suggest using roller rings like this to ensure the curtain moves easily on the rod.
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.
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.
We recommend: Stay away from PVC or Vinyl shower curtain liners.
Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives to shower curtains, from glass shower enclosures to bath screens and shower blinds. Discover six of the best ideas here to find the right option for your bathroom.
It should be low enough that it overlaps the edge of the tub or shower to keep water from splashing out. The rod needs to be high enough to keep the shower curtain from dragging on the floor of the bathroom, which can cause mold or mildew to grow.
Protect Your Shower Curtain: These shower curtain magnets keep the curtain liner separated from the wall or the wet bathroom surface, which can help prevent foul odors or stains from forming and keep the curtain clean while speeding up drying.
“And always use double hooks so that the liner can hang inside the tub while the decorative curtain stays on the outside,” Pulcine suggests.
The coated side of both thermal coated and blackout coated linings must face the glass to maximize UV and mildew resistant properties. Thermal and blackout linings are not machine washable, they may be gently hand washed if necessary and drip dried with coated surfaces facing out.
Will I need a liner for my shower curtain? 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.
Let the liner hang inside the tub and the curtain hang outside the tub for better airflow between the two. To help keep mildew at bay between washings, spritz a vinyl liner with a daily shower cleaner.
Stone and porcelain tiles are the best for the shower floor. Avoid glazed ceramic tiles in this spot, as they tend to be slippery. Also, remember that non-vitreous tiles are not suitable for the shower floor. Only impervious or vitreous tiles should be used in the shower area, as they are relatively more waterproof.
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.