There’s more to maintaining a fresh and clean bathroom than just wiping down surfaces and scrubbing tiles. Shower curtains are one item that is frequently forgotten, but over time they can develop stains, mildew, and soap scum. Thankfully, you don’t have to throw it away or scrub it by hand for hours on end.
The good news is that you can wash your shower curtain in a washing machine if you’ve ever wondered if you could. This easy-to-use technique prolongs the life of your curtain and saves time while maintaining a clean, fresh-smelling bathroom.
We’ll guide you through the process of using your washing machine to safely and effectively clean your shower curtain in this article. These pointers will help you achieve the best results with the least amount of work, regardless of the material of your curtain—fabric or plastic.
- Let"s use an automatic machine
- Traditional washing
- Tips from professionals
- Video on the topic
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Let"s use an automatic machine
Shower curtains can be washed in an automatic washer, but there are restrictions. Before filling the drum, first remove any mold and any embedded dirt from the film. Removing from the rod, unhooking the rings, and leaving in a warm foam solution is quick and easy. After a few hours, use a gentle brush to clean the soiled areas.
Now that the curtain is ready, you can start the actual washing. Place the curtain into the drum, then fill the tank with two to three more towels to start the cycle:
- temperature – 40 degrees (sometimes 60 is allowed, as indicated by the corresponding icon on the label);
- program – "Delicate" or "Manual";
- spin – to minimum or turn off;
- automatic drying – turn off.
Since the material is distorted by high temperatures and intense drum rotation, spinning and drying are not permitted. Furthermore, you can hang the curtain after shaking the fabric and draining the water; this is not necessary.
It is advised to wipe and wash the shower curtain once a week.
There won’t be any detergent issues because "home" cleaners and regular powder with gel can both be washed. As a result, soda will rapidly remove the fabric; add roughly 250 g. To disinfect the curtain and get rid of any remaining fungus on the surface, it is even better to add 250 ml of vinegar to the machine during the rinsing step.
We would like to remind you once more that it is preferable to remove the curtain’s rings before washing. When placing the product in the drum, it is best to use a special mesh bag if they are not removable. In this manner, you can guard against damage to the machine and stop the unfastened fastener from entering the drain or tank.
Manufacturers typically advise cleaning the curtain on a regular basis, once a month at the latest. However, intermediate care, such as weekly wet "cleaning," is also necessary for textile, polyester, and polyvinyl chloride products. Making sure there is enough ventilation is crucial to preventing mold.
Traditional washing
You will have to wash the curtain by hand if there is no way for it to be done in the machine. How contaminated the fabric is will determine how long hand washing will take. It’s not essential to take the film off the rod and do an express cleaning if there aren’t many stains and streaks. The steps are as follows:
- wet the curtain on both sides from a watering can or with a spray bottle;
- apply any product (liquid soap, dishwashing gel, diluted powder or shower gel) to a soft brush or dish sponge;
- foam the detergent;
- thoroughly wipe the curtain, holding it with your palm on the opposite side (pay special attention to dirty areas and the bottom of the curtain);
- leave the soaped fabric for 2-5 minutes;
- wash off the foam with warm water;
- evaluate the cleaning result, if necessary, repeat the treatment, cleaning out the remaining dirty spots;
- leave the curtains until completely dry.
A thorough cleaning process is required if the curtains have not been cleaned in an extended period of time, resulting in stains and possibly mold growth. One of three washing options is chosen based on the level of contamination and the resources available.
- Soak in "lemon". First, remove the curtain from the rings, place it on the bottom of the bathtub, moisten it with warm water, and sprinkle the dirty areas with soda. Then wet the canvas again from the watering can, making a gruel from the powder, and go over the stains with a brush. Next, move on to soaking: install the stopper, pour 10-12 liters and dissolve 3 packets of citric acid. Rinse and hang to dry.
- Use bleach. In advanced cases, it is better to give preference to professional cleaning products. But before use, it is recommended to study the label and check whether the manufacturer allows bleaching. The cleaner is diluted strictly according to the instructions, on average, 1-2 caps are required for a standard basin. Soak the canvas in the solution for an hour, then wash with a brush and rinse under the tap.
- Soak and treat with Vanish. Another option is to soak the curtain for 1-2 hours in a soap solution, and then use Vanish according to the instructions. On the "finish" we hung up and hang.
Reading the label is advised before making any changes. Certain materials, like polyester, can be easily cleaned and erased without any issues, but other materials can be very finicky and have strict cleaning requirements.
An easy and quick way to keep a shower curtain clean and free of soap scum, mold, and mildew is to wash it in a washing machine. This will prolong the curtain’s life and keep the bathroom fresh. This post will walk you through the procedures and advice needed to safely machine-wash various kinds of shower curtains so they look brand new when they’re done.
Tips from professionals
To avoid unpleasant surprises when washing, it is advised to familiarize yourself with practical advice from experts. Understanding a few tricks and subtleties makes it simple to expedite the cleaning procedure and reduce the possibility of material damage. We are discussing the following guidelines:
- Do not wash the curtain, like an ordinary thing, do not rub the fabric on the fabric (otherwise the fibers will be spoiled and deformed);
- For cleaning the canvas, a sponge made of foam, an old toothbrush, a soft rag;
- ironing the shower film is prohibited – it does not withstand high temperatures;
- the curtain dries vertically naturally (without ultraviolet light or heating devices).
There’s another tip that will help prolong the cleaning of the curtain. Therefore, if you give the curtain one last rinse in salted water, a film that keeps dust and dirt from settling will form on the material’s surface.
Shower Curtain Material | Washing Instructions |
Plastic or Vinyl | Use cold water and gentle cycle. Add mild detergent. Avoid spin cycle. |
Fabric | Wash with warm water on a normal cycle. Use a mild detergent. Tumble dry on low heat. |
Heavy-Duty | Wash in warm water with regular detergent. Use a normal or heavy-duty cycle. Hang to dry or tumble dry on low heat. |
It may surprise you to learn how simple it is to maintain a clean shower curtain. You can keep mold and mildew from growing by regularly washing it in the washing machine, keeping your bathroom clean and fresh.
Simple actions, such as selecting the appropriate detergent and tossing in a few towels, can have a significant impact. With minimal work, your shower curtain will appear nearly as good as new.
Therefore, don’t be afraid to throw your shower curtain in the washing machine the next time you see it starting to look a little dingy. It’s a simple and efficient way to maintain the best-looking bathroom.