Download Article
Download Article
Shower curtains and liners become dirty and unsanitary over time due to mold, mildew, and soap scum build up. The majority of shower curtains can be cleaned in a washing machine. However, if your shower curtain is hand wash only, you can scrub it down yourself with baking soda and warm water.
Steps
-
Place the shower curtain or liner into your washing machine. To start, remove the shower curtain from the wall in your bathroom. Then, place it in your washing machine. [1] X Research source
- Make sure you remove any metal hooks that may be on the shower curtain before placing it in your washing machine.
-
Place one or two towels into the washing machine. This helps prevent the shower curtain or liner from wrinkling, sticking to itself, and being torn apart in the machine. The towels also scrub the shower curtain while the washing machine is going. Take one to two white towels and throw them into the washing machine. The towels you use should be clean. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
-
Add baking soda and detergent. Add the normal amount of laundry detergent you would use for a load of laundry. From there, add half a cup to a cup of baking soda. Bigger shower curtains will require more baking soda. [3] X Research source
-
Start the machine. Turn on your washing machine. Select the highest cleaning level. Wash your shower curtain in warm water. [4] X Research source
-
Use bleach for built-up stains. For mildly dirty shower curtains, you do not need anything other than baking soda and detergent. However, if there is a lot of mildew and other stains on your curtain, add bleach. After adding your baking soda and detergent, turn the machine on. Pour in half a cup of bleach as the washer fills with water. [5] X Research source
- Only add bleach if your shower curtain is white or transparent.
-
Add vinegar during the rinse cycle. When the washing machine switches to the rinse cycle, open the machine. Pour in a half cup to a cup of the distilled vinegar. Restart the machine and allow it finish the cycle. [6] X Research source
-
Hang the shower curtain or liner to drip-dry. Never dry a shower curtain. Instead, hang it back up in the shower after it's done in the washing machine. It should drip dry on its own from there. [7] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Add baking soda to a dampened cloth. Get a clean microfiber cloth slightly damp. Then, sprinkle baking soda over the cloth so the cloth is coated in a light layer of baking soda. [8] X Research source
-
Scrub down the entire shower curtain. Use your cloth to scrub down the curtain. Give the curtain a light scrub at first, leaving set-in stains alone for now. Focus on removing basic grime and dirt only. [9] X Research source
-
Rinse with warm water. Take a new cloth and get it damp with warm water. Swipe it over the shower curtain to remove all of the baking soda and water. Make sure to scrub the curtain until all traces of baking soda are gone. Add more water to the cloth as necessary. [10] X Research source
-
Clean any remaining stains. After giving the shower curtain a general cleaning, get your cloth damp again and sprinkle it with baking soda. Scrub out any set in soap stains or mildew this time around. Focus on areas you glossed over during the first round of cleaning. [11] X Research source
-
Rinse the curtain again. Get another clean cloth damp with warm, clean water. Rub down the shower curtain again to remove any baking soda residue. [12] X Research source
- Do not leave any lingering baking soda on the shower curtain. Make sure you keep rinsing the shower curtain until your cloth runs clean.
Advertisement
-
Spot test any cleaner first. Before applying detergents, cleaners, or bleach to a shower curtain, test out the cleaners on a small portion of the curtain. Make sure they do not cause discoloration or damage. If you notice any damage, opt for a different cleaner.
-
Read the care label. Before washing a shower curtain, give the care label a close read. Most shower curtains can be washed in the washing machine with detergent or bleach, but some are hand wash only. Others may require specific types of cleaning. Always read the care label over carefully before washing your curtain. [13] X Research source
-
Maintain a clean shower curtain. After cleaning your shower curtain, take steps to make sure mold and mildew do not build up in the future . Spray down the shower curtain with a mixture of half water and half vinegar each day. Wash the bottom of the shower curtain with vinegar and water each week to remove any soap scum and mildew building up on the bottom of the curtain. [14] X Research source
- Go for body wash over bar soaps, as bar soaps can cause scum.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
References
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-shower-curtain/#.WQE227vytPM
- ↑ http://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-shower-curtain-right-way-t73991
- ↑ http://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-shower-curtain-right-way-t73991
- ↑ http://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-shower-curtain-right-way-t73991
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-shower-curtain/#.WQE227vytPM
- ↑ http://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-shower-curtain-right-way-t73991
- ↑ http://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-shower-curtain-right-way-t73991
- ↑ https://www.merrymaids.com/blog/quick-tips/can-you-wash-plastic-shower-curtains
- ↑ https://www.merrymaids.com/blog/quick-tips/can-you-wash-plastic-shower-curtains
- ↑ https://www.merrymaids.com/blog/quick-tips/can-you-wash-plastic-shower-curtains
- ↑ https://www.merrymaids.com/blog/quick-tips/can-you-wash-plastic-shower-curtains
- ↑ https://www.merrymaids.com/blog/quick-tips/can-you-wash-plastic-shower-curtains
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a22024/heloise-spring-cleaning-eliminate-mildew/
- ↑ http://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-shower-curtain-right-way-t73991
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To clean a shower curtain, start by sprinkling a light layer of baking soda over a damp microfiber cloth. Next, use the cloth to lightly scrub the curtain to remove the dirt and grime. Then, use a new cloth to wipe down the shower curtain with warm water. If there are still stubborn stains, scrub them again with the damp cloth and baking soda. Finally, use a new damp cloth to wipe down the shower curtain and remove all the baking soda before letting it air dry. For advice on how to wash your shower curtain in the washing machine, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 158,859 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Followed instructions for cleaning the curtain in the washer, modified slightly. Based on past experience, used hot water (not warm), load set to small, 3 towels +curtain, 1 cup baking soda, and 1 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Perfect results!" ..." more
Advertisement
"Followed instructions for cleaning the curtain in the washer, modified slightly. Based on past experience, used hot water (not warm), load set to small, 3 towels +curtain, 1 cup baking soda, and 1 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Perfect results!"
..."
more
"We have hard water, often causing soap scum and stains on our shower curtains. I was glad to hear that I can use natural products to clean my shower curtain: baking soda with laundry soap in the wash cycle and vinegar in the rinse cycle! "
..."
more
"Awesome stuff! My shower curtain now looks sparkly clean. I was going to chuck it out, but no need to do that now!"
