How To Wash Plastic Shower Curtains At Home

Washing and reusing your plastic curtains is the best thing you can do for the planet. Throwing away your shower curtains, every time you find them dirty can be quite expensive. I discovered how easy it is to wash and clean your curtains and curtain accessories at home.

Cleaning your curtains regularly prevents the growth of bacteria, mildew, and mold. This also helps to keep your bathroom fresh and clean. In this blog, I have also shared how you can easily clean curtain rings and curtain liners at home.

How To Wash Plastic Shower Curtains At Home?

You do not have to be a laundry expert to wash your plastic curtains at home. With a few cleaning supplies, you can ensure spotless shower curtains in your bathroom. You can either hand wash or machine wash the curtains.

Supplies for Cleaning Shower Curtains

You need very few things to wash shower curtains at home. Below is the list of supplies you would need:

1. Mild soap or detergent
2. A scrub or sponge
3. Vinegar or baking soda depending on the kind of stains and spots
4. A machine to machine-wash your plastic curtains

Machine Wash Plastic Shower Curtains

Just throw the curtains in the washtub; it is as simple as that. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when machine-washing curtains at home. A front loader is better than a top loader when washing curtains as a front loader does not have any center agitator. But that does not mean that you cannot use a top loader to wash your plastic shower curtains. To wash your curtains in your top loader, place some white towels around the agitators to create a wall between the spindle-like devices and curtains.

Here are the steps you can follow to clean your shower curtains:

Step 1: Remove the curtains from the curtain rod and carefully remove all the rings.
Step 2: Place the curtains in the washing tub along with two or three white towels. These will help scrub the curtains clean.
Step 3: Add a mild soap or detergent. You can also add a few drops of any essential oil for a refreshing after smell.
Step 4: Use a cleaning agent like vinegar or baking soda to add to the tub along with the detergent. You can use baking soda for regular washing and vinegar to clean mold off the plastic shower curtain.
Step 5: Choose a gentle setting to wash the curtains. Just wash and rinse, do not dry.
Step 6: Air-dry the curtains once they are washed.

Hand Wash Plastic Shower Curtains

Handwashing the curtains sound unpleasant but it is a very effective method of cleaning the curtains.

Here is what you can follow:

1. Remove the curtains from the curtain rod and carefully remove all the rings.
2. Soak the curtain in warm water for 30 minutes.
3. Add a mild soap and a cleaning agent like vinegar or baking soda.
4. Scrub the grime and stains using a brush or sponge.
5. Wash the curtains using clean water and air dry the curtains. Remember not to wring them.

How To Clean Shower Curtain Liners At Home?

Have you been replacing the curtain liners every time they get dirty? I am sure after knowing how easy it is to clean the liners at home you would never change them frequently. To clean your curtain liners all you would need is a mild detergent and scrub.

You can hand wash or machine wash curtain liners along with shower curtains. While hand washing the liners is easy, machine washing might seem a little tricky. Fret not, follow these tips to successfully clean the curtain liners:

1. Use warm water and mild detergent.
2. Throw some towels along with liners in the washing tub. Towels will help scrub off any dirt or grime.
3. Keep the machine setting on gentle.
4. Do not use a dryer to dry your liners. Hang them in the air to air dry after they are washed.

Keep your liners clean to make them last longer and also to keep your bathroom mildew and mold-free.

How To Clean Shower Curtain Rings At Home?

Now that your curtains and curtain liners are all clean and shiny, do not forget to clean the curtain rings. It is important to clean the curtain rings as they are exposed to moisture, mold, and grime. When your curtains are in the wash, you can utilize that time to clean the shower curtain rings.

Take the rings out of the rod and soak them in warm water with a cup of vinegar. You can keep them soaked for at least 30 minutes. Use a scrub to brush the dirt and grime. After 30 minutes wash them with clean water and wipe them with a towel before hanging them back.

Protips When Cleaning Shower Curtains At Home

1. Remember to put on your gloves when cleaning curtains or curtain rings by hand. Also, use a mild detergent especially when cleaning with hands.
2. Take a sponge and clean the dirt or moss deposited on the curtain before throwing it in the washer.
3. After washing your curtains and curtain rod, use some daily shower spray to prevent any growth of mold.
4. Keep the curtains closed after taking a bath. This will help them dry faster.
5. Use a body wash to clean your curtains as most soaps leave soap scums.
6. Spray the bottom of your curtains and liners with a water and vinegar mix to prevent any mold buildup.
7. To remove the foul vinegar smell, mix a few drops of lemon oil in the water-vinegar solution.
8. Use warm water to wash off the grime. The use of cold water might make your plastic curtain brittle.
9. Avoid using a fabric softener when washing in a machine. Fabric softener creates a layer that attracts dirt and grime.
10. Maintain some gap between the curtain and the bathroom floor. You can trim the curtains in case the rod cannot go any higher.

FAQs – Cleaning Plastic Shower Curtains

1. Should I replace my shower curtain every time it gets dirty?
   You do not have to change shower curtains every time. Buy washable shower curtains and clean them at home whenever you find them dirty.
2. Can we wash curtains in the front-loading washing machine?
   Yes, you can wash plastic curtains in a front-loading machine. It does not have a center agitator, which prevents delicate linens from shredding.
3. How often should I wash shower curtains in the washing machine?
   You can machine wash your curtains once a month. However, it is good to spot clean curtains, rods, and curtain liners once every two weeks.
4. How can I reduce the growth of mold and mildew in my bathroom?
   Make sure you let the moisture in your bathroom dry after bathing. Also, make sure to clean curtain liner and rings, shower curtains, taps, rugs, and other bathroom accessories regularly.
5. Can I use heavy-duty detergent to clean my plastic shower curtains?
   It is better to use a mild detergent to clean your plastic shower curtains and liners.
6. Should I buy a curtain liner too?
   Although your water-resistant curtains would work well without any liner but having a liner would improve the setup. Curtain liners absorb any extra moisture and inhibit the growth of mold.
7. Are new shower curtains toxic?
   No. It is a myth that new curtains release toxins. Your plastic curtains might have a slight smell but that goes off in some time.
8. How to care for my shower curtains so that they last longer?
   Keep your curtains moisture free and keep cleaning them regularly to stop shower curtain mold. It is also important to understand that different materials need different wash care.
9. Are fabric shower curtains good?
   Fabric shower curtains need to be washed often. Regular washing wears them out faster and requires frequent changing. However, you can go for waterproof materials like polyester and vinyl.
10. What is the best way to wash the plastic shower curtains?
    Handwashing your curtains and liners will make them last longer. You can clean curtains by hand or spot clean more often. Use a machine-washing method to clean the curtains once a month only.