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 1. Home
 2. Healthy Home
 3. Your Shower Curtain Is Even Grosser Than Your Toilet Seat—Here's What to Do
    About It


YOUR SHOWER CURTAIN IS EVEN GROSSER THAN YOUR TOILET SEAT—HERE'S WHAT TO DO
ABOUT IT



Your shower curtain is actually the dirtiest spot in your bathroom.

By Stacey Leasca Updated January 30, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our
editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn
commission.
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shower-curtain

Credit: Getty Images

Even if you think your home is the cleanest on the block, there’s likely one
place you’re forgetting to scrub: the shower curtain and liner.

We get why you probably never wash this shower accessory—shower curtains and
liners can be a real pain to keep tidy. But it’s imperative you start cleaning
them, because they're indeed disgusting. As a study by Safe Home found, your
shower curtain actually harbors 60 times more bacteria than your toilet seat. In
fact, the study reveals that shower curtains and liners are the dirtiest spots
in the bathroom by leaps and bounds.





RELATED: These 5 Bathroom Habits Could Be Making You Sick

Thankfully, there are a few easy tips for cleaning and replacing your shower
curtain that will not only save you time, but could also save you money—while
keeping your bathroom sanitized and spotless. “I used to replace my [shower
curtain and liner] every six months or so,” says Jeneva Aaron, a
Sacramento–based home decor blogger. But what a waste of money and materials,
right? “If you’re trying to save money, you can keep your shower curtain until
washing it doesn’t work anymore,” Aaron adds. Here’s how to clean your shower
curtain to ensure it doesn't end up in the trash too early.




HOW TO CLEAN YOUR SHOWER CURTAIN IN THE WASHING MACHINE

Aaron keeps her cleaning routine simple by taking her shower curtain off its
rings and popping it in the washing machine on a regular laundry cycle once a
month.

“Throw it in the machine with a half-cup of baking soda and a towel or two,” she
says. “The baking soda will break down the grime, and the towels will wipe it
off as it spins.” The towel trick will also work wonders on a plastic liner
because it’ll help keep it from getting wrinkled in the machine. But to be safe,
wash other laundry in a separate load. And while plastic shower liners can go in
the washing machine, make sure it never gets tossed into the dryer.





Once the washer hits the rinse cycle, Aaron suggests adding a half-cup
of vinegar to break down any leftover dirt. When the cycle is finished, take the
shower curtain out and hang it up to dry.

RELATED: The 5 Dirtiest Things You Touch Every Day


HOW TO CLEAN YOUR SHOWER CURTAIN WITHOUT A WASHING MACHINE

Georgia Dixon and Angela Bell of Grove Collaborative's Grove Guides recommend
using a daily shower spray to help maintain your liner and curtain for
longer. “Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the spray bottle for extra
antibacterial and antifungal properties,” they suggest.



If your curtain or liner is showing signs of a buildup, especially around the
bottom, use an enzyme stain spray, or soak it in an oxygen whitener, and scrub
with a soft scrub brush before laundering. This will help remove all that grime
and get it like new again. They also recommend Aaron’s favorite trick, even if
you don't use a machine: “You can soak a plastic liner in a baking soda and
vinegar solution to remove soap residue.”



RELATED: If Your Home Smells Funny, Check These 8 Problem Areas


PURCHASE A SECOND LINER FOR ROTATION

Bell and Dixon suggest buying two of the same liner and curtain so you can
rotate them out and make them both last just a bit longer. Genius, right?

If you prefer a plastic liner, Dixon and Bell say it’s best to look for PVC-free
shower curtain liner as it will likely be toxin-free as well. Still, a fabric
liner can work wonders and may be a better choice for cleanliness and the
environment. “A fabric liner can work great in a well-ventilated bathroom,” they
say. “Fabric liners can be cold-water washed regularly if you’re looking for a
more sustainable option to plastic.”



RELATED: These Are the 8 Germiest Things in Your Kitchen


HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR SHOWER CURTAIN AND LINER?

Your shower curtain and liner should get a shower themselves about once a month.
“Washing the curtain and liner can be added to your monthly task-list,” Dixon
and Bell say. “Keeping the curtains mildew-free can really prolong their
lifespan, as mold and mildew can break down the fabric.”


HOW TO KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO TOSS YOUR CURTAIN

It’s time to invest in a new curtain/liner when “visible mold stays after
laundering,” Bell and Dixon say. If you see any signs of “light brown stains
still on it” after a cycle in the wash, Aaron says, “that’s when you should
throw it away.”



Ready for an upgrade in your bathroom? Check out these five shower curtains that
can totally transform your bathroom (just don’t forget to wash them).


HAVE A SHOWER DOOR INSTEAD OF A CURTAIN?

That’s quick and easy to clean too, but it requires a little elbow grease.
Here’s how to de-grime the shower door: Add a few drops of distilled white
vinegar to one cup of baking soda, and stir to make a thick paste. Apply it to
the door and let it sit for an hour. Then use a microfiber cloth to rub it in.
After rinsing off the paste, buff the door dry using a fresh microfiber cloth.

To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living
newsletter

This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com



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Your Shower Curtain Is Even Grosser Than Your Toilet Seat—Here's What to Do
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