How do I remove scum from clear plastic shower curtain? I was told to wash it in the washing machine with laundry soap and vinegar. I did and all I got was a torn ruined shower curtain.
"Shower Curtain Cleaning" GROSS; Clean It Up Easy And Learn Tips To Prevent Mildew. There isn't much grosser than the shower curtain that has been hanging in your shower for too long. Most people think of shower curtains as disposable, but they don't have to be. Cleaning a shower curtain is a simple procedure. Just put it in the washing machine on warm with some laundry soap and a little bit of bleach. (Do not put it in the dryer, it will melt.) If you want to dry it with a towel, you can, but it is not necessary.
You will be amazed at the results. An almost brand new shower curtain. It will be a little wrinkled when you pull it out of the washing machine, but they will go away shortly after you hang it. You can help prevent shower curtain mildew by spraying a mixture of vinegar and water on the shower curtain once you have hung it back up. It is best to spray on the inside. Especially on the bottom and on the bottom of the outside also, as it seems to grow their too.
If your children take baths, make sure to pull the shower curtain out of the tub to help prevent more mold and mildew. If you think about the ring you get in your tub from baths, you don't want that same ring on your shower curtain. http://www.savetimeandmoneyathome.com/cleaning.html
When washing a vinyl shower curtain, it is important to use warm rather than cold water. Cold water makes vinyl stiffen up, so it cracks and tears more easily. Warm water keeps it soft. When I started using warm water, my vinyl shower curtains came out whole, rather than torn to shreds!
What about getting the rust stains from hard water off? We only use cold water to wash... everything else comes lovely clean. Just can't get the rust off.
I kept having the same problem so I got a fabric shower curtain liner. I'm not sure what it's made of--polyester maybe? But it keeps the water in the shower and not on the bathroom floor, it doesn't get scummy and it doesn't fall apart in the wash.
Maybe the reason that the shower curtain got torn was that you didn't use the gentle cycle. I put a few towels & add 1/2 C of detergent, 1/2 C bleach & 1/2 C borax. I always make sure that I wash the curtain on a sunny day so that I can then line dry it outside. Have been doing this for over 40 years & have always had great results. Good luck.
I had the same soap scum problem till I started drying the curtain off after every use with the towel. I just dried on and it cut the problem down to almost nothing.
I used to buy the heavy vinyl shower curtains and ran into the same problem of them tearing after a number of washings. So I finally bought a white polyester fabric shower curtain liner from Walmart which sits inside the bathtub. I having a matching shower curtain which stays outside my tub which matches my bathroom drapes.
So when the shower curtain liner needs washing, I take it down and pop it in my washing machine with some bleach and detergent. Once it's done washing, I hang it up damp and it dries very quickly on the shower curtain rings.
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Archives:
Tip: Cleaning a Shower Curtain
Archived on 03/12/2008
Place vinyl shower curtain in washing machine with two large towels, add regular detergent. At the beginning of rinse cycle add 1 cup white vinegar. When cycle is finished, hang to dry. Your shower curtain will come out like new!
By Marilyn from Colfax, LA
Answers:
RE: Cleaning a Shower Curtain
If you clean it it the bathtub you can use a long handled back brush. The bristles are soft enough not to damage it in the hot water but will remove all gunk from the curtain. I also use a back brush for wicker furniture. (01/10/2008)
I clean my plastic shower curtain in the washer on hot with bleach, plus a few old towels or rags that can be bleached. They add "scrubbing" action. I run it through the whole cycle, spin and all. In the summer I hang it outside to dry but if it's too cold I run it in the dryer on No Heat just to get some of the water off. Thanks for the tip Tracy about leaving the rings on! I too have a spring-action rod and can slide the curtain off - never thought to leave the rings on! Simple yet brilliant! (01/10/2008)
By Christine
RE: Cleaning a Shower Curtain
I used to wash my vinyl shower curtain until it would eventually rip and then I'd replace it. Then I wondered why I just didn't buy one of those fabric shower curtain liners that I could wash for years before it fell apart. Less plastic in the landfills! (01/11/2008)
Any easy to wash your shower curtain is in your washing machine. Put your shower curtain in the washer along with a couple towels, then add 1/2 cup of each detergent and baking soda. Then add 1 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Take the shower curtain out of the washer before the spin cycle and hang it to dry.
Answers:
How To Clean Your Shower Curtain
I slide the curtain off the rod leaving the hooks on the curtains. Throw them in the washer with your bath rugs, add your detergent, lysol, etc. then wash them on GENTLE cycle leaving the hooks hanging out of the washer with the lid down. Works great! When the washer has finished slide hooks back on rod and let curtain or curtains drip dry by hanging them inside of the tub or shower!
By Tracy
Editor's Note: This is not mentioned in the tip but I would imagine you want to remove the curtain from the washer before it starts the spin cycle. (02/02/2005)
RE: Cleaning Your Shower Curtain
Before you hang the shower curtain, cut the "sewing" off the bottom. That is where the mold will start to collect. (02/03/2005)
By Sandy
RE: Cleaning Your Shower Curtain
Vinegar and hot soapy water in your washing machine. mix with either towels or your bath rugs for scrubbing action. (02/15/2005)
By Tara
RE: Cleaning Your Shower Curtain
I just throw mine in the washing machine -- by itself, and wash it in cold water on the delicate cycle. I use Amway SA-8, and a box of that laundry soap used to last me a year, but that was before I was married and had the luxury of being able to do laundry whenever I wanted. (03/18/2005)
I also saw on "How Clean is your House" they just put it in the bath tub with hot water and some laundry soap let it soak for a while and I am not sure if they scrubbed it or not. Question? using the washer, your talking the plastic curtains right? (01/03/2007)
