By Kerry Hale

How To Clean a Shower Curtain

  • Thursday 3 October 2024
  • 4 minute read

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.

Keep your shower and bath curtains looking as good as new with our tips for cleaning. From a deep clean in the washing machine to quick fixes, discover our guide to cleaning your shower curtain.

How to machine wash your shower curtain

Most shower curtains are machine washable, but we have some steps to help you get the best results when you wash your shower curtain:

  1. Take down your shower curtain or liner and put it in the washing machine, removing any metal rings that may be attached. Check the label on your shower curtain to make sure you wash it at the right temperature.

  2. Add one or two bath towels to the machine. This will help scrub the shower curtain and prevent it from wrinkling, sticking to itself and getting torn.

  3. Add the usual amount of laundry detergent and half a cup to one cup of baking soda.

  4. Put the machine on a gentle and warm setting.

  5. When the washing machine switches to the rinse cycle, pour in a half cup to one cup of distilled white vinegar.

  6. When the cycle is finished, hang your shower curtain or liner up to drip-dry.

How to handwash your shower curtain

If your shower curtain isn’t machine washable or you want to spot clean a few areas that need some TLC, you can handwash it. Follow our steps for removing mould from your shower curtain without washing:

  1. Dampen a clean microfibre cloth and sprinkle a layer of baking soda over it. Use the cloth to scrub down the entire curtain, focusing on removing basic grime and dirt, and leaving set-in stains for later.

  2. Take a new cloth and dampen it with warm water. Use it to scrub away all of the baking soda and water. You may need to rinse the cloth and repeat to ensure that no traces of baking soda remain.

  3. Now’s the time to turn your attention to the tougher stains. Get your cloth damp again and sprinkle it with baking soda, then focus on scrubbing out any set-in stains or mildew.

  4. Dampen another clean cloth with warm, clean water, and use it to rinse the shower curtain again, taking care to remove all traces of baking soda.

How to clean your shower curtain rings

Your shower curtain rings are also exposed to lots of steam, dirt and soap scum, so give them a clean at the same time. To clean your shower curtain rings, follow these steps:

  1. Fill your bathroom sink with hot water and a cup of distilled white vinegar. Soak your rings for the approximate time it takes to wash your shower curtain.

  2. Rinse the rings in warm water, using your fingers to remove any remaining limescale or soap scum.

How to keep your shower curtain clean

After cleaning your shower curtain, it’s worth taking some precautionary measures between washes to prevent it from getting as dirty or mouldy in the future.

  • Keep your bathroom well-ventilated so that it’s less of a breeding ground for mould and mildew.

  • Spray down the shower curtain with a mixture of water and distilled white vinegar after each shower to help prevent the build-up of mould and mildew.

  • Wash the bottom of the shower curtain with a mixture of water and distilled white vinegar each week to regularly remove soap scum and mildew, preventing a more serious build-up.

Consider a bath shower screen

For a lower-maintenance alternative, consider a bath shower screen instead. Not only are they more effective at keeping water inside the shower, but they’re also easier to clean and will make your bathroom appear bigger and brighter. Wondering whether a shower screen is right for you? Check out our guide to deciding between a shower curtain or screen to make the right choice for your shower and shower enclosure.

Explore our full range of bath shower screens and shower curtain alternatives that can transform the look of your bathroom and are easy to keep clean. For more deep-cleaning tips, check out our guide to cleaning your bathroom, which includes advice on cleaning shower screens.

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