Stepping into the bathtub and noticing that your shower curtain is dotted with mildew can make your skin crawl. But we have good news: “There’s no need to throw away your shower curtain once it’s dirty,” says Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. Depending on the material, use the following advice on how to clean a shower curtain.
Plastic or vinyl
Wash the curtain on the highest water level with detergent like Good Housekeeping Seal holder Gain Liquid Detergent Original ($6, amazon.com). Add two to three bath towels for extra cleaning agitation, then hang it to dry or put in the dryer on low heat or fluff only.
Fabric
This may include cotton, nylon, polyester or hemp materials. If your shower curtain is made of one of these fabrics, or is decorative, it’s best to wash it following the instructions on its care label.
Prevent mildew
To extend how frequently you have to clean your curtain, always open the bathroom door after showering to allow moisture out. Opening a window and turning on the exhaust fan while showering will also help moisture dissipate. And don’t forget to stretch the shower curtain open either. “A couple extra minutes of work can really minimize cleaning time in the long-run,” says Forte.
