Bathrooms are one of the areas of the house that need most attention when it comes to cleaning. There is bacteria, mould and soap scum/hard water stains that accumulate all over your bathroom. Cleaning your bathroom regularly and thoroughly will ensure that the area is clean, disinfected and mould and bacteria free.

Same as all other areas in the bathroom, shower curtains need regular cleaning in order to prevent dirt and mould from building up. It may be tempting to simply replace your shower curtain whenever it gets dirty. However, if you want to spare yourself the money or if you have a nice, more expensive shower curtain, keep reading to find out how to properly clean it. In this article we will share how to get it looking good as new.

How to clean a shower curtain – It is always best to wash fabric shower curtains in the washing machine. Make sure you pay attention to the fabric and fibres they are made of. You don’t want to damage them by using the wrong cycle or detergent.

Take the shower curtains down from the hooks. You can do this while they are still wet.

Always check the fabric care label for special requirements when it comes to temperature, cycle or products to be used with the particular fabric.
Put the shower curtain in the washing machine and select the hottest cycle recommended for the particular type of fabric.
Use a biological cleaning detergent. Make sure it has degreasing or disinfecting properties. This will help remove any grease, body oils and fluids, as well as mildew build up.
For extra hygiene or for heavier mildew buildup, use some laundry sanitiser. It will help prevent it for the future and ensure that they are properly cleaned.
When the washing machine cycle is done, take your shower curtains out and hang them back on the curtain hooks. Pull them out fully and make sure you spread them as much as possible. Allow them to air dry. It is best if you can open your window or leave your bathroom fan on. A well ventilated room will help speed up the drying process.

How to clean plastic shower curtains

Take them down from the curtain hooks.
Always check the fabric label to see what temperature, products or cleaning methods are recommended.
You can wash them in the washing machine. However, it is recommended that you use a cool cycle for plastic curtains.
Add a couple of bath towels to the washing machine. That will help clean your shower curtains better as it agitates more effectively in the washing machine.
Use a bio washing detergent – It will help remove body fluids, grease, mould and mildew buildup.
You can add some colour safe bleach to the wash cycle. Always follow the instructions on the package. The bleach will help remove mould and mildew.
Let the shower curtains air dry. It is best to leave your bathroom fan on, or open your windows in order to ventilate the room and improve air flow. That will help speed up the drying process.

When washing your shower curtains, you may as well take care of the curtain rings or give the curtain rail a wipe down as well. You can soak the rings in hot soapy water for 15-20 minutes, then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth and let them air dry.

In order to prevent mould and mildew growth:

Wash regularly – Weekly maintenance is certainly the best way in which you can keep your curtains clean and mould-free. If you don’t have the time to properly wash them, simply give them a spritz of vinegar water and a quick wipe down once a week.
Always open the bathroom windows and put the extractor fan on. Ventilate the bathroom after you are done showering. This will help get rid of steam and dampness and prevent bacteria, mould and mildew growth.
Pull the curtains out wide to dry – Additional to the ventilation of your bathroom, make sure you always spread your curtains. That will help them dry faster and maintain them mould, bacteria and dirt free.
Replace your shower curtains – While you can help your shower curtains stay clean and in good condition for longer by cleaning them regularly, they also need to be replaced once in a while. Curtains that are heavily stained or covered in mould need to be replaced. Do not ignore that issue since they may cause more mould to grow everywhere in your bathroom.