I used to hate washing my shower curtain. Undoing all those clips at the top, what a bore! One day, I took the entire curtain, clips and all, and threw it in the washing machine on delicate. What a time saver! No damage was done to the curtain and I saved so much time and aggravation.
By Jo from Riverside, RI
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How do I remove scum from clear plastic shower curtain? I was told to wash it in the washing machine with laundry soap and vinegar. I did and all I got was a torn ruined shower curtain.
I used to buy the heavy vinyl shower curtains and ran into the same problem of them tearing after a number of washings. So I finally bought a white polyester fabric shower curtain liner from Walmart which sits inside the bathtub. I having a matching shower curtain which stays outside my tub which matches my bathroom drapes.
So when the shower curtain liner needs washing, I take it down and pop it in my washing machine with some bleach and detergent. Once it's done washing, I hang it up damp and it dries very quickly on the shower curtain rings.
I had the same soap scum problem till I started drying the curtain off after every use with the towel. I just dried on and it cut the problem down to almost nothing.
Maybe the reason that the shower curtain got torn was that you didn't use the gentle cycle. I put a few towels & add 1/2 C of detergent, 1/2 C bleach & 1/2 C borax. I always make sure that I wash the curtain on a sunny day so that I can then line dry it outside.
I kept having the same problem so I got a fabric shower curtain liner. I'm not sure what it's made of--polyester maybe? But it keeps the water in the shower and not on the bathroom floor, it doesn't get scummy and it doesn't fall apart in the wash.
What about getting the rust stains from hard water off? We only use cold water to wash... everything else comes lovely clean. Just can't get the rust off.
When washing a vinyl shower curtain, it is important to use warm rather than cold water. Cold water makes vinyl stiffen up, so it cracks and tears more easily.
Throw it out and get a fabric curtain. I wash mine once a month in the washer and leave the rings on. It is simple. If you must use a plastic one, use liners instead of the heavy ones then throw them away when they are dirty. I will never own a plastic curtain again.
I have the plastic shower curtain liner in my bathroom. I put it in the washer with warm water,
gain and Clorox bleach and run it through the entire
I got tired of all the waxes in the soap building up on shower curtains and liners and the tub and tiles. I switched to water soluble castile soap and my skin is softer (no more soap residue on it) and my tub is much cleaner! I can also use the castile soap in laundry and to clean the house. The trick to getting rid of the buildup is to not get it! Good luck!
I soak my fabric shower curtain liner in white vinegar and water for a few hours to remove rust, then I wash it in cold with a natural soap and some bleach, on delicate, and hang it right back up like you. I also switched to water soluble castile soap and that helps to avoid buildup.
How do I clean a light plastic shower liner without putting it in the washer?
By orphenannie
I think they only cost a few dollars so just replace it. I used to replace them until I discovered the silky cloth ones. I have two. One as a liner and one for the outside of the tub. They are expensive but last forever and can be washed in the washer.
It's a lot easier to just put it in with a small load of laundry (cold water), take it out of the washer and then rehang immediately rather than trying to wash it by hand in a sink or bathtub. I've had the same plastic liner for over four years and it still looks like new. Put them in with items such as towels and shirts rather than heavier metal containing items such as jeans or slacks.
I have white tile in our bathroom and a beautiful new fabric shower curtain that was expensive. I just noticed that both have black mildew on them. I have told my husband to close the shower curtain after showering because leaving it pushed open and folded causes mildew.
How can I remove the mildew from both without using those horrible strong smelling sprays? The shower curtain is gold in color with a diamond pattern and piping around the edges. I can't use a product with bleach on it.
By Cisco's Mom
I have no issues with mine being I buy the good liners. I take both down and drop them in the washing machine. Remove them and hang them to dry.
I have an expensive clear shower curtain liner that is becoming cloudy looking. What can I use to make it clear again?
By Mari K.