Help, Need to Clean Shower Curtain

Updated on March 22, 2007
J.G. asks from Glendale Heights, IL
28 answers

I have a plastic shower curtain and the liner that we use inside the tub. I can't seem to get it clean no matter what I use on it. Someone told me you can wash it in the washing machine but i don't see how that could helpwithout ruining it. Any suggestions? Thanks!

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A.R.

answers from Chicago on

I wash mine with white towels and add a little bleach or some baking soda to the wash. If you do put it in the dryer, put it on LOW and keep an eye on it or FLUFF/AIR only. I've had them melt. Dry it with the towels in the dryer too.

Sometimes if it's a cheapy one the holes will tear some where you hang it up. Sometimes you can find clear plastic ones in the $1 store even!!

-Amanda

2 moms found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Chicago on

I've always washed mine in the washing machine with bleach. I I just hung it up in the shower to let it dry. I haven't ruined one yet. Good Luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.C.

answers from Chicago on

We bought a mildew resistent liner from Bed, Bath, & Beyond. It lasts a long time You are still supposed to wipe it down, but it is a lot better than the other ones we've used.

1 mom found this helpful

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

I just replace my shower curtain liner twice a year, since it only costs like $5-$10 for a good one at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

2 moms found this helpful
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D.K.

answers from Chicago on

I throw mine in the washing machine about one a month and it comes out fine, usually it is wrinkled but once it has been hung up for a day ro two they usually work themselves out.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I used to try to clean it, but after a few times, to me it just isn't worth it. It never comes all the way clean and its a pain. You can buy really cheap replacement plastic shower curtains for the inside of the tub, and still keep your nice curtain for the outside. I would just replace it!

S.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.

answers from Chicago on

i buy the mildew reistant ones at bed bath beyond and they wash awesome and in between i use the shower spray on them ofter showers or bathes

1 mom found this helpful
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C.G.

answers from Chicago on

I throw mine in the washing machine, gentle cycle. If you need a new one, they cost $2 at Ikea, but mine always comes out fine.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.

answers from Chicago on

Why not just buy a new one? They aren't that expensive at Wal-Mart,Target,Meijers,and Bed,Bath and Beyond. I replace mine every 6 months.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.R.

answers from Chicago on

You can wash it in the washing machine, but you have to make sure you put at least two towels in the washing machine with it. I usually wash mine in warm water on the delicate cycle. I also put it in the dryer for about 1-2 minutes to get the wrinkles out and then take it out and hang it up.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.

answers from Chicago on

I've put mine in the washer many times - it works great. Just hang dry it (hang it back up damp) instead of running it through the dryer, obviously.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.L.

answers from Chicago on

The best bathroom investment I've made has been a fabric shower liner like the ones many hotels use. If I remember right, it was $10-$15. Once a month, I throw it into the washer on hot with a bit of bleach and it comes out like new --no worries of the washer or dryer damaging it.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.N.

answers from Chicago on

I spray the liner down real good with Lysol, then rinse...it gets rid of mold and most of the soap scum, just be sure to open the bathroom window or you'll choke on the fumes!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Chicago on

I would just buy a new one. We buy a new liner every year, they are like $5 at Target.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Really, I find it such a PITA to keep them really clean that we just replace our liner every few months. You can get one for a few dollars at Target or Meijers.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.F.

answers from Chicago on

You should wash it on the gentle cycle in the washing machine. That's really the best way to clean it. It shouldn't get ruined.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I always have soaked my shower curtains n a tub of bleach water. It kills all the moldy bacteria that is not healthy for anyone to b around. If u don't like the smell of bleach, then I suggest u use something like Lysol which kills 99.9% of bacteria. Lysol comes in liquid form for that purpose. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.

answers from Chicago on

Hi,

I have put my shower curtain liner in the washing machine many times. I have a cloth shower curtain but the liner is plastic. I just put it for the shortest wash cycle and add some bleach to it while washing. It comes out spotless.

Another thing you can try, if you don't want to put it in the machine is, make a solution of bleach and water (if the curtain/liner is very dirty or moldy - use half bleach - half water, if not so dirty use less bleach) - put this mixture in a spray bottle and spray the liner. I have a cream colored liner but its never gotten bleach stains. Spray the liner and let it sit for some time. Make sure your exhaust is running and if you have a window, leave it open because of the bleach fumes.

Hope this helps.

Aarti.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.S.

answers from Chicago on

I am not sure if you need your liner or the shower curtain itself clean so if it is the liner you can buy a new one for like 3.00 at walmart. I have washed my shower curtain before I have the cloth kind and it worked just fine. I hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.

answers from Chicago on

We buy new ones, they are less than 8$ at Target or Walmart.
they are so cheap & with the chance of mold or anything like that I think it is well worth it. I change mine about every 6 months or so (husband is in construction and sometimes you just don't know what he is washing off of him)

1 mom found this helpful
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T.G.

answers from Chicago on

If its thick plastic you can wash it in the machine. I've done it and it works wonderfully! I was amazed and didn't think it would work....but it does! :)

1 mom found this helpful

N.P.

answers from Chicago on

You can put it in washing machine. Depending on the exact material.. quantity will give you an indication as to how many times you can do this. I would say for the really cheap shower liners (about 4 bucks), you could do it 3-4x max. For the more expensive liners (about 12-15) bucks I would say 6-8x max. Let it air dry. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

I put mine in the washer all the time with, a couple of towels.

A. Springsteen
Avon Representative
www.yourAvon.com/aspringsteen

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L.D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi.
I have washed mine in the past and it didn't ruin it at all but it didn't work as well as Lysol Mildew Remover with Bleach. All I do is spray it on and let it sit. Then rinse. It works awesome! There's another Lysol running around out there. I can't remember what the name is but it's close & not the same thing. Be sure to get Lysol Disinfectant MILDEW REMOVER with BLEACH. White bottle. Purple tiles on it. Mildew Remvoer is in red.
Hope that helps. Be sure to ventilate well- the fumes hurt.

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S.B.

answers from Chicago on

I put mine in the washing machine frequently and it does a great job of getting it clean, and has never damaged it.

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S.J.

answers from Chicago on

Please wash it the machine it really works my aunt told me the same story i was like what? But what do you have to lose they are very inexpensive.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Chicago on

You can wash it in the washer on gentle. I just hang it back in the shower to dry or on a nice day I hang it outside. Even the cheap ones do fine in the washer.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.

answers from Chicago on

Washing machines does work but if you don't want to do that. Put the curtain with hot water in a bucket and bleach, let it sit for an hour and rinse it well, and air dry. Should be good as new.

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