like to think I'm pretty clean when it comes to my apartment. Putting the laundry away isn't a problem for me. I wipe counters like a demon, and I even
clean the kitchen likeI cook so there's no mess after I'm done eating (genius, I know). But in the bathroom one recent morning, I noticed a...funky scent. the shower, which is how I discovered that my A+ hygiene habits had overlooked an often overlooked part of the cleaning process. Oops. That smell? Yes, it was mold on my shower curtain.
Here's the thing about shower curtains: "It's less about cleaning and more about letting them dry properly," says Maeve Richmond, organizing expert and founder and coach of Maeve's Method. Stretching your shower curtain is one thing when I have new roommates and they always stretch it after showering. (Until this point I had left it on the side after turning off the taps.) However, Richmond helped me see the error of my ways.
"If you think about it, if a wet curtain gets crushed, then there's nothing but water all day," she explains. "So mold can grow." And like many people are allergic to mold and because of its potential impact on your breathing, it is essential to monitor the condition of your shower curtain. Below are four best practices to follow if you wish to avoid a smelly situation similar to that which I found myself faced with.
Keep things dry
The most important thing is to avoid moisture. Of course your shower curtain will get wet, it's its job to keep water out of your bathroom. But the key is to ensure it can dry on its own after that. "Think of the shower curtain as part of your morning experience," Richmond says. "They're designed to stay flared. When you're done showering, restore your shower curtain by opening it up and letting it dry properly." If you have a shower liner, she says to keep it inside the tub and the outer curtain outside, so air can circulate between the two. Windows can also help — “if a window is open nearby, fresh air and maybe a breeze will help speed up the drying process,” she says.
Choose the right material
The easiest material to work with is plastic. "It's the easiest to clean, it's durable and it doesn't wrinkle," says Richmond. But if you want a more eco-friendly product, you can opt for canvas. "The canvas does well around water and will hold its shape," she says. "It's not completely waterproof, so use a shower liner to keep it as dry as possible." linen can even be coated on the back to protect it from moisture. You'll also see silk or satin shower curtains on the shelves, but Richmond advises avoiding them. "They're glamorous but don't hold up to water, so stay away unless your curtain liner is strong and large," she says.
Clean it (it's possible)
When I wonder how to clean a shower curtain, my brain aches. It sounds difficult. But Richmond says all you have to do is spray it once in a while." Hit it with a store-bought cleaner or a homemade solution of baking soda, vinegar, and water,” she says, which can also take care of any mold that forms. stains or mildew are stubborn, remove the curtain and machine wash it (if you can) or simply soak the gross parts in a bucket or your sink in a cleaning solution of your choice." does not come out, go to the next step.
Replace!
When all else fails, replace it. a bad thing, think of it as the easiest way to spruce up your bathroom. "Shower curtains are fun and an easy and inexpensive way to change up the decor in your home," she says. It's a way to give your space a homey makeover." Maybe you'll finally find the opportunity to try the turmeric yellow home trend.
You can also spruce things up by trying the wabi-sabi home decluttering method. Or invest in a convertible dining table/bookcase. (Yes, there is.)
