Your fabric shower curtain may have a beautiful pattern that complements your bathroom decor, but when you look at it from behind, its beauty is diminished by ugly mildew stains. Poor air circulation and temperatures humid conditions found in bathrooms are breeding grounds for mold growth. Check the care instructions on the curtain label first, then use simple home remedy solutions to rid the fabric of mold.
Baking soda and vinegar
Wash your fabric shower curtain in a washing machine. Add two terry cloth towels to the load to aid in the cleaning action. Set the dial to gentle, the water temperature to warm, and pour in your detergent as you go. and as the tub fills.
Measure out ½ cup of baking soda and add it during the wash cycle. Pay attention to the cycles and when it reaches rinse action, measure out ½ cup of white vinegar and pour it into the tub.
Shake the curtain out at the end of the cycle and check the back for mold remnants. Make a paste of baking soda and water, rub it into the remaining mold and repeat the first two steps. Hang the fabric curtain in your shower to dry it or in the sun, if possible. Iron it, if necessary, when the fabric is completely dry.
Oxygen bleach
Remove the fabric curtain and fold it inward to prevent mold spores from spreading. Also remove the curtain rings if mold has collected around them. Step outside, lay the curtain on the floor and remove as much mold as possible.
Fill a bathtub with 2 liters of warm water. Add 4 tablespoons of non-chlorine bleach and the shower curtain. Soak for an hour. Put the curtain rings and the brush in the bathtub to kill the spores mold they were able to pick up.
Remove the curtain from the tub, fold it and gently press the bleach-infused water. Shake and rinse in a tub of cool, lukewarm water. twist to ring it as the fabric will wrinkle. Hang out in the sun, if possible, or turn it inside out in your shower to hang dry.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Borax
Remove the curtain by folding it inward. Bring it outside and lay it flat, mold side up. In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup of water .Spray liberally and let curtain sit for 30 minutes.
Scrub fabric with a soft brush to remove mildew. Work gently to avoid damaging fabric. Rinse with warm water and check for mildew.
Make a paste of equal parts borax and water if stain persists. Apply to mold and gently scrub with brush. Rinse and let dry. Wash brush with warm water to kill mold spores.
Lemon and Salt
Lay the curtain flat. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice. Add salt until it has the consistency of a paste.
Rub the paste into the stains. Let sit for 30 minutes. The acid in the lemon works to kill mildew.
Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth. Repeat if stains persist. Wash the curtain in warm water, using the gentle cycle and laundry detergent. Hang to dry, preferably in the sun.
Once your fabric shower curtain is mildew-free, hang it with a liner. Look for liners made from mildew-resistant fabric.
Help keep the hem of your fabric shower curtain mildew-free by separating it from the side of the shower or tub when you're done showering. This allows air to circulate, preventing mold growth .
