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If you use a shower curtain liner, sooner or later you will get some soap, lime, and mildew buildup. Luckily, getting rid of it is easy with a washing machine.
Steps
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Separate the shower curtain and the shower curtain liner. You can wash them both the same way, but, depending on what the actual shower curtain is, that could change. You might want to add something to the soap, or wash at a different temperature, for a cloth curtain as opposed to the plastic-y liners. It is ok, however, to wash them together if they are the same material. [1] X Research source -
Set your washing machine for a small to medium sized load with warm water. Place the liner in the wash, then set the machine to warm water. Liners made from plastic can become brittle when washed in cold water, while the warm water in your washing machine is no more damaging than the warm water coming out of your shower head. Fabric liners will also get cleaner if you use warm water. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Let the washer start filling up and pour in about a cup of vinegar. You can pour this right where the soap is supposed to go. [3] X Research source
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Add as much soap as you deem appropriate. A half-portion of your normal soap amount should be fine, as this is about half the size (or less) of a normal load of laundry. [4] X Research source
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Do not use fabric softener on your liner. The liner is not fabric -- it is plastic. The softener will do nothing but give a strange, chemically smell to your liner. [5] X Research source
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Choose a gentle, regular cycle. Because the liner is the only thing in the wash, you could choose a shortened cycle if you have the option. Otherwise, just let the washing machine do its job. [6] X Research source
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Once washed, hang it right back up to dry. You must, however, be prepared for the dripping water. Do not put the liner in the dryer to heat dry it. While you could stick it in the drier for a few minutes on cool to shake off excess water, be careful. Hot air can melt the liner and ruin both it and your dryer. [7] X Research source
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Remove the shower curtain liner and throw it in the wash to remove surface stains. Simply take it off, remove the big plastic cuffs, and put it in the washing machine. This method is more for surface stains, not removing mold.
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Add a towel to the load. This will be used to "scrub" your liner. Again, this method is more to wipe up surface stains than do a deep cleaning. [8] X Research source
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Run the wash, adding a little vinegar or soap to kill bacteria. You won't need nearly as much as needed for a full load. A cup of white vinegar or a 1/3 cup of detergent should do. [9] X Research source
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Hang back up on the shower rod to dry everything off. You can put it in the dryer, too, but only on cold and only for 4-5 minutes to get the big bits of water off. [10] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I hand wash my shower curtain liner?Community AnswerHand wash your liner if the care label does not recommend machine washing (or there is no care label). Take the curtain outside and scrub it with a solution of 10 parts water to one part chlorine bleach, using a plastic-bristled brush. Let it dry in the sun until any mold or discoloration has faded, then rinse.
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QuestionHow do you clean a shower curtain liner without taking it off the rod?Community AnswerThe only way to clean it effectively is to take it off the rod and wash it, in a washing machine or by hand.
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QuestionCan I put the shower liner in the dryer to dry?Community AnswerI wouldn't. A shower curtain liner can simply be hung back up on the shower curtain rod to dry.
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References
- ↑ https://lifehacker.com/you-can-clean-your-shower-curtain-liner-in-the-washing-1788564155
- ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/use-this-quick-tip-to-clean-your-shower-curtain-in-a-snap/
- ↑ https://www.merrymaids.com/cleaning-tips/quick-tips/can-you-wash-plastic-shower-curtains/
- ↑ https://www.merrymaids.com/cleaning-tips/quick-tips/can-you-wash-plastic-shower-curtains/
- ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/use-this-quick-tip-to-clean-your-shower-curtain-in-a-snap/
- ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/use-this-quick-tip-to-clean-your-shower-curtain-in-a-snap/
- ↑ https://www.mollymaid.com/cleaning-tips/bathrooms/shower-curtain-cleaning/
- ↑ https://www.mollymaid.com/cleaning-tips/bathrooms/shower-curtain-cleaning/
- ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/clean-a-plastic-shower-curtain-mat/
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you use a shower curtain liner, you’ll want to wash it when you get a buildup of soap, lime, and mildew. To use your washing machine, separate the liner from the curtain, put the liner in the wash, and set your machine for a small to medium-sized load with warm water. As the washer begins to fill, pour 1 cup of vinegar in where the soap usually goes. Then, add a half-portion of soap. Set your machine to a gentle, regular cycle. If you have the option, you can also pick a shortened cycle since the liner will be the only thing being washed. Once washed, hang your liner back up in the shower to air dry. To learn how to add a towel to your washing machine load to help scrub your shower curtain liner, keep reading!
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