Although your shower curtain does a valuable service, preventing water from dripping onto your bathroom floor, you have no doubt noticed a paradox: the more showers you take, the more disgusting the shower curtain becomes. replacing it, thinking the moldy, soapy plastic or fabric can't be salvaged, wait a minute. After all, you might be able to clean the shower curtain - quickly and easily - by tossing it through the washing machine The only trick is that when cleaning a shower curtain in the washer, it's best to beef up the detergent with a few pantry staples or, in extreme cases, bleach.
Method 1: baking soda and vinegar
Place the shower curtain in your washing machine and throw a few dirty towels in there. These create the agitation necessary to separate the mold from where it has lodged. Start the machine, and when the time comes To pour out the detergent, be sure to add half a cup of baking soda. At the beginning of the rinse cycle, follow up with half a cup of vinegar. If any mildew remains, you can expect vinegar kills it. (If there is a lot of mold, increase the dose of vinegar to a full cup.) Finally, before the spin cycle begins, remove the shower curtain and inspect its condition .If you agree, hang it in the bathroom. There is no need to put the curtain in the dryer.
Method 2: Bleach
If you're dealing with a lot of mold and soap scum, and your shower curtain is white or clear, grab a bottle of bleach. Place the curtain in the washing machine with towels (white towels, that is). Start the machine and, when the drum begins to fill with water, pour in half a cup of water from Bleach and a quarter cup of detergent. From there, let the washer do the work. Before the spin cycle begins, pull the curtain and check to see what it looks like. If it's cleaner but not satisfactorily, consider repeating the above process. Also note that at this point you may be able to finish by hand, using a mild soap in combination with a sponge or cloth.Additional Notes
Be proactive about keeping your shower curtain clean. The following tips can help prevent mildew from taking hold and proliferating in the future:
Most bar soaps generate soap scum. Body wash, on the other hand, rinses out without buildup. After bathing, spray the area with a homemade shower cleaner. The next time you shower, the water will wash away the cleanser, along with any built-up dirt. Use a scrub brush to remove mildew as you wipe down the curtain as part of your weekly bathroom cleaning routine.
