Yikes! Your shower curtain liner is starting to look like a science experiment.How can something that gets sprayed with soap and water every day get so disgustingly dirty?Has soap scum, pink mold, and mildew developed into an unclean mess in your shower? Don’t panic.Keeping your shower curtain clean doesn’t have to be time consuming and difficult.

Soap Scum, Pink Mold, and Mildew…Oh My!

Shampoo, dirt, bath soap and body oils all contribute to soap scum, that filmy buildup caused when water interacts with soap and dirt and that accumulates if left unchecked in a shower and on the shower curtain.

The pink bacteria that builds up on shower curtain is known scientifically as Serratia marcescens, and it feeds on fatty substances such as soap scum. Pink mold can cause infections, so it's in your best interest to give your shower curtain a good cleaning as soon as you see it starting to form.Follow the step-by-step instructions below to learn how to remove pink mold from your shower curtain.

Mildew is a surface fungi that can easily be identified as a patch of gray or even white fungus that is lying on the surface of a moist area.Mildew loves to grow in shower curtain folds and at the bottom where the shower curtain sticks to the tub.

Can You Wash Shower Curtains?

Yes! Washing your shower curtain on a regular basis will keep the surface smooth and bacteria free.Shower curtains can be made of plastic or cloth.Choose the best cleaning process for your shower curtain material.

Steps To Clean A Plastic Shower Curtain In The Washer

1. Fill: For a top load washer, fill up your washer bowl with warm water. If your washer is a front load model, place all items into your machine prior to filling.
2. Load: Place your plastic shower curtain and 2 to 3 dirty towels into the washer bowl.The towels help scrub the shower curtain.Next, add the recommended amount ofdetergent for your washer and ½ cup baking soda.
3. Wash: Wash on a light cycle.
4. Rinse: Add ½ cup of vinegar to the first rinse cycle.
5. Dry: Carefully remove the shower curtain from the washer and hang to air dry. If you prefer, you can place your shower curtain liner andthe towels in your dryer on the low setting for 10 minutes.
6. Hang: Remove your shower curtain from the dryer and re-hang on the shower rod.

Steps To Clean A Cloth Shower Curtain In The Washer

Check the care instructions on your cloth shower curtain to make certain it can be machine washed.If your cloth shower curtain cannot be machine washed, it is advisable to have it professionally cleaned.If your cloth shower curtain can be machine washed, follow these easy steps:

1. Fill: For a top load washer, fill your washer with warm water.If your washer is a front load model, place all items into your machine prior to filling.
2. Load: Place your cloth shower curtain into the washer bowl.Add the recommended amount ofdetergent for your washer and add ½ cup Borax or vinegar.Let the machine run for about 1 minute to distribute the detergent and baking soda.
3. Wash: Wash on light cycle.
4. Rinse: Rinse as normal.
5. Dry: Remove the shower curtain from the washer and hang to dry. If you prefer, you can place your shower curtain in your dryer on the low setting until dry.
6. Hang: Remove your shower curtain from the dryer and re-hang on the shower curtain rod.

Keeping Your Shower Curtain Clean Between Washings

Use Vinegar and Water:

Mix a solution of half vinegar, half water in a spray bottle. Replace the lid tightly on the spray bottle and shake or swirl the bottle to combine ingredients.Step into the shower or tub and spray the inside of the shower curtain or liner with the vinegar solution while the curtain is stretched as straight as possible. This allows the spray to get into the folds where buildup often occurs.

Use Fabric Softener and Water:

Put a couple of teaspoons of fabric softener in a spray bottle and fill the bottle with warm water. Squirt the shower curtain all over with the solution and wipe.Fabric softener and water can be replaced by a damp dryer sheet.Simply moistened the sheet and wipe down your shower curtain.

The Best Advice On How To Keep Your Shower Curtain Clean

After you shower, leave your shower curtain open (not bunched up) so that it may dry without accumulating mold or mildew.