Over time, shower curtains become dirty due to mould, mildew and a build-up of soap scum. But when this occurs, it doesn’t always mean you have to throw it away and get a new one. Shower curtains can easily be washed and refreshed, and the majority of shower curtains and liners can be cleaned in a washing machine. Just ensure you check the care label first as it’ll depend on the material.
Follow these steps to clean your shower curtain and get it looking as good as new in no time.
Machine washing your shower curtain
You'll need to use a washing machine for this method
Step 1: Take down your shower curtain or liner and put it in the washing machine, removing any metal rings that may be attached.
Step 2: Add one or two bath towels to the machine. This will help to scrub the shower curtain and will also prevent it from wrinkling, sticking to itself and getting torn.
Step 3: Add the usual amount of laundry detergent and half a cup to one cup of baking soda.
Step 4: Put the machine on a gentle and warm setting.
Step 5: When the washing machine switches to the rinse cycle, pour in a half cup to one cup of distilled white vinegar.
Step 6: When the cycle is finished, hang your shower curtain or liner up to drip-dry.
Handwashing your shower curtain
You can leave the shower curtain hanging up while you handwash it.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 4: Dampen another clean cloth damp with warm, clean water, and use it to rinse the shower curtain again, taking care to remove all traces of baking soda.
Washing your shower curtain rings
Your shower curtain rings are exposed to lots of steam, dirt and soap scum, too, so give them a clean at the same time.
Step 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.
Step 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 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.
- Spraying down the shower curtain with a mixture of water and distilled white vinegar after each shower to help to 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 the more effective at keeping water inside the shower, they’re also easier to clean they’ll make your bathroom appear bigger and brighter.
Explore our full range of bath shower screens, or for more deep-cleaning tips, check out our guide to getting rid of watermarks.