Shower curtains at some point do get dirty and need to be washed. But it all depends on what material the shower curtain is made of, whether or not it’s machine washable, and how often you use the shower curtain. In this article, we are going to answer whether or not can you wash shower curtains, read on.
Common Material used in Shower Curtains
The most common materials that shower curtains are made out of are vinyl or fabric. If your shower curtain is vinyl then it can be washed with soap and water in a washing machine, the same goes for the fabric variety. Your shower curtain isn’t the only thing that should be washed through.
Because of the moisture and soap scum in the bathroom, it can get onto your shower curtain. Make sure to wash other things in your bathroom and pay special attention to things like doorknobs, faucets, sinks, and toilets because they are places where dirt builds up quickly.
Shower curtains with fabric on them tend to get more dirty than vinyl ones because of their porous nature. the fabric can absorb and give off water, which makes it get dirty faster.
Can I wash shower curtains
In short, it depends on what material the shower curtain is made of and whether or not it is washable. If your shower curtain is vinyl or plastic, then you can wash it with soap and water in a washing machine.
However, if your shower curtain is made of fabric, then you cannot wash it because the fabric would absorb water, which would cause it to get dirty fast. Some shower curtains have a label of machine washable, which means you can safely wash them in the washing machine without ruining them.
Can I wash my shower curtain in the washing machine?
Yes, you can wash your shower curtain in the washing machine. An alternative would be to check out the label on the shower curtain itself. Some showers curtains are labeled machine washable.
If you can’t find a label, then you can trust that your shower curtain is machine washable. Simply vacuum off dirt and debris from the shower curtain first (using a crevice tool, if necessary to get in-between the folds/behind the curtain) and then wash it alone in the washing machine using cold water on a gentle cycle. If your cycle has an extra rinse or spin, add that too.
How often should you wash your shower curtain?
Ideally, you should be washing it once a month. At the very least, however, you should aim to clean your plastic shower curtain once every 1-2 months. When you think about it, four to 12 times a year isn’t really that often and the process shouldn’t take long at all now that you know how to wash a shower curtain.
How to wash shower curtains:
Shower curtains are usually made of vinyl or plastic, so you can wash them by hand with a mild detergent in warm water. If your curtain is machine washable, put it in the washing machine.
For vinyl and plastic shower curtains, use a sponge to scrub away mineral and soap buildup. Do not use scented or color-safe detergents, which can affect the color of your curtain. Rinse well with clean water and hang to dry or tumble dry on low heat with clean tennis balls. This will help keep the curtain soft and last longer. You may want to consider washing your curtain in a washing machine gentle with cold water and air drying, as this will help you prolong the life of your curtain.
The fabric shower curtains have to be washed by hand. If you can’t find out whether or not they are machine washable, then hand wash them. Use warm soapy water and rinse well with clean water. Do not bleach your shower curtain, as the chlorine in the bleach can cause it to break down over time.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, now you know how to wash your shower curtain whether or not they are machine washable and at what temperature they can be washed. The next time you are in the bathroom, pause to think about all of the things that your clean shower curtain has protected you from while keeping everything else in the room looking great and clean.
If you wash your shower curtain, your bathroom will be kept healthier and even more clean-looking than before. If you were not aware of how to wash your shower curtain or if you did not know whether or how often to wash your shower curtain, then hopefully now you do.
As the resident shower expert at ShowerJournal.com, Wayne Lee loves to share the helpful tips and tricks he’s picked up over the years during his job as a handyman.
