How to clean shower curtain? This is a question that nearly everyone will ask at some point. The frequent use of a shower can cause the build-up of mildew over time. The sooner the shower curtain is cleaned the better. If soap scum is allowed to settle in the curtain for a long time, it can be hard to get off.
Contents
Necessary Supplies
Before getting started, organize all of the supplies that will be needed in order to get the job done. Gather several towels. Use white ones if possible. Check the washing machine to see if it is empty and ready for use. Get the cleaners together. This will include vinegar, bleach, baby oil, and laundry detergent.
Start Cleaning
If the shower curtains are made out of cloth, carefully follow the instructions on the label. It should explain what cycle and temperature to use.
For shower curtains that are made from vinyl or plastic, place them in the washing machine with two body sized towels or six wash cloths. Add the laundry detergent and then pour in a half of a cup of vinegar. If the shower curtains have mildew on them add bleach instead. Turn the washing machine on the cold water setting and gentle cycle. The towels will rub up against the curtains, during the washing process. This will help loosen and remove dirt.
Cleaning Stubborn Mildew
Shower curtains with old mold and mildew stains may still have spots on them after coming out of the washer. If this happens, they will have to soak for a while. Fill the bath tub up with water and pour in one cup of bleach. Put the shower curtains in the tub and let them soak for about a half hour. This should get rid of any stubborn stains.
Drying the Shower Curtains
Plastic and vinyl curtains have to hang out to dry. Don’t put them in the dryer because the heat may cause them to melt. Hang the shower curtains back up the way they were in the shower. Line the bottom portion of the curtains evenly over the tub. Turn on the fan in the bathroom to help the shower curtains dry faster. Don’t worry if the curtains have wrinkles. They will smooth out from the steam the next time the shower is used.
Keeping Shower Curtains Clean
Take some preventative measures so that the shower curtains will stay clean longer. Rub a little baby oil along the bottom of the curtains to prevent soap scum from building up. This will also help the curtains last longer because the baby oil will keep them soft, which will prevent them from becoming brittle and breaking.
Spray the newly cleaned shower curtains with a disinfectant to prevent a layer of mildew from forming. Another way to keep shower curtains clean is to use older shower curtains as a protective barrier. Hang the old and new shower curtains on the same hooks with the old ones on the inside. This way, the hot water and soap will only land on the old curtains.
