Can You Put a Shower Curtain in the Washer? (Do It This Way)

We all know that shower curtains can get pretty dirty after a while. And if you have kids, then they probably get dirty even faster! But, can you put a shower curtain in the washer to clean it?

Most shower curtains and liners can be safely put in a washing machine. This is an effective way to get rid of mold, mildew, and other dirty stains that build up over time on your shower curtain. Likewise, using a handwash method is also a good option that can remove those stains.

The humidity that your shower curtain retains can cause it to grow harmful bacteria, so it’s important to know how to clean it properly.

So, in this article, we’ll discuss whether or not you can put your shower curtain in the washer, how to clean it properly and what you can do to keep them sanitary.

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Can a Washing Machine Damage Shower Curtains?

But first, let’s dig into whether or not a washing machine can harm your shower curtain and whether you should hand wash instead.

Can You Put a Shower Curtain in the Washing Machine?

Most shower curtains are safe to put inside the washing machine, but you must consider the type of fabric it’s made with to avoid ruining them. Use the proper detergents to wash your shower curtain, and wash them using a gentle cycle.

Usually, the shower curtain label indicates the proper way to wash it. Make sure to follow the proper cleaning guidelines. Otherwise, your curtain may be damaged during washing.

And, make sure that your curtain isn’t stained with anything flammable, as washing machines are sensitive to them. Ignoring this warning may result in a terrible accident.

Can You Put a Plastic Shower Curtain in the Washer and Dryer?

You can use a washer to clean the plastic shower curtain, but you can’t use a dryer to dry them. As the name states, plastic shower curtains are prone to melt inside the dryer, and therefore you should avoid using them as a drying method.

The correct way to dry a plastic shower curtain or liner is to hang them on a clothing line.

Of course, you should be able to hold the shower curtain up before removing it from the washer to get rid of the excess water they may have.

Can You Put a Moldy Shower Curtain in the Washing Machine?

Using a washing machine to get rid of mold is often the best solution. First, however, it would be best to learn how to get those stains out effectively. You might need to use your laundry detergent and vinegar or baking soda to ease the process.

So, if you want to use the washing machine to clean those filthy things, make sure you know how to clean them properly.

This way, you can get rid of that dirt without much effort at all!. 

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Can You Put a PEVA Shower Curtain in the Washing Machine?

PEVA stands for polyethylene vinyl and it is washing machine safe. It’s a much safer option when it comes to chemical-free bathroom products. They’re BPA-free and chlorine-free, so you won’t smell the typical plastic odor when you use them.

The best part about having a PEVA shower curtain is that they often remain clean for a long time, so you won’t have to wash them as often as a regular shower curtain.

And, they’re washing machine safe, so you can safely clean them using it.

What Is the Best Way to Clean a Shower Curtain?

The most effective method to clean a shower curtain is to use a washing machine. However, other handwashing methods are also effective and can satisfy those who prefer more control over the curtain’s cleaning process.

The best way to determine how to clean your shower curtain is by reading the manufacturing label.

Since shower curtains come with different fabrics, styles, and patterns, it’s best to know how to clean them because not doing so can harm your shower curtain. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNlUOrq9kIA

Where Do You Put Vinegar in a Washing Machine?

Modern washing machines come with a drawer or compartment meant for bleach or laundry detergent. You would want to put the vinegar in there or in the fabric softener dispenser. The latter can provide you with better cleaning results and softer fabric.

Depending on the type of cleaning you’re doing, you can also directly throw it in the washer basin.

However, you must dilute the vinegar with water. Otherwise, its acidic nature can stain your clothing or curtain and create a bigger mess.

How to Keep a Shower Curtain Clean

Now that you know that you can wash your curtain inside a washing machine, you need to understand the right way to keep them clean.

How Often Should I Wash My Shower Curtain?

You should wash your shower curtain at least once a month to avoid the accumulation of mold and other harmful bacteria. Keeping a solid cleaning plan can help you keep a more sanitary curtain while also helping you avoid the struggle of removing hard stains.

Most fabric shower curtain experts recommend that you wash your shower curtain at least once a month. If this doesn’t work for you, you can try cleaning it once every two to three months.

Often, people make sure to clean their shower curtains weekly or biweekly. The most important thing is to maintain consistency because not doing so can result in you having to get rid of mold.

In addition, not cleaning your shower curtain means it can harbor harmful bacteria that have the potential to trigger respiratory diseases. 

What Temperature Should I Wash My Shower Curtain?

The fabric used to make your shower curtain has a lot to do with the temperature you should wash it. Plastic curtains, for example, should only be washed in cold water. Hot water may harm them if you use the wrong setting.

You can wash many shower curtain fabrics with warm water, which is often recommended. But for plastic curtains, this is a total no-go. You don’t want plastic melting inside your washing machine.

How Do You Clean a Moldy Shower Curtain?

You have many options to clean a moldy shower curtain. Although using a washing machine is the easiest way, you can also wash it by hand. The latter may provide you with better results, but it all depends on your time and your preference.

To wash it by hand:

1. Spray the hydrogen peroxide on the shower curtain after laying it on a flat surface.
2. Let it stay for at least ten minutes.
3. Rinse, and later add a baking soda paste.
4. Scrub well, and then rinse again. If this process didn’t entirely eradicate the mold, you might want to repeat this process.

How Do You Dry a Shower Curtain After Washing?

The best way to dry a shower curtain after washing it is to hang it on the clothesline. Because the curtain itself is often made out of fabric materials, they are often permissible to dry in a drying machine. However, you should still check the label if this might be a mistake.

Because if you have a plastic shower curtain and decide to throw it on a drying machine, you risk melting them due to the regular nature of plastic.

Can You Wash a Shower Curtain With Magnets?

Most magnet shower curtains are safe to use in a washing machine, but you must understand how to remove them from the rod correctly. They are different from standard curtains, so knowing this is essential to wash them properly.

And, you should keep in mind to check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to wash it correctly. Not doing so can harm the curtain, and you don’t want to do that.

How to Clean a Shower Curtain Liner

Now that you know some facts about shower curtains let’s discuss some facts about shower curtain liners and the best ways to keep them clean and mold-free.

How Do I Keep My Shower Curtain Liner Clean?

Many methods to keep your shower curtain liner clean include having a solid cleaning schedule and keeping your bathroom properly ventilated. In addition, mold and mildew grow in humid environments, so it’s best to avoid having excess moisture in your restroom. 

Some people use vinegar to spray it onto their curtain liner. This keeps the mold at bay, allowing the liner to remain clean for a longer time.

Often, moisture can hang onto the curtain. Using vinegar prevents this from happening.

Can You Put Plastic Shower Liner in Washer?

Just like a plastic shower curtain, a plastic shower liner is safe to use on a washing machine. Of course, you can also wash it manually, as it may be an effective method. Yet, washing machines are quicker and often more effective for people with little time. 

Make sure to use the right cleaning products to wash your shower liner. If you don’t feel secure about this, you should consider washing it manually.

There are multiple methods that can help you, and they’re not hard to do.

Can You Put Shower Liner in Dryer?

Most shower liners are made out of plastics like PVC or PEVA. For this reason, it’s highly discouraged to use them in a drying machine. They are prone to melt quickly, thus ruining the liner and the machine altogether. 

So, you should opt for a more traditional method of drying your shower liner: hanging it on the clothing line. This way, you will prevent plastic from melting inside the dryer.

How Do I Stop My Shower Curtain Liner From Creating Mildew?

To stop your shower curtain liner from creating mildew, you should keep your bathroom ventilated and moisture-free. To do this, make sure to have your bathroom window open and use the vent fan every time you shower.

The trick is to make sure your bathroom is ventilated at all times. Ventilating your bathroom prevents humidity from staying inside the shower, so mold and mildew don’t grow inside.

This way, you won’t need to take a whole day to remove mold stains or mildew from your curtain.

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How Often Should You Change Your Shower Curtain Liner?

You may need to change your shower curtain liner every six months. How often you will need to do so largely depends on the overall environment of your bathroom and the weather of the place where you live, especially if you live in a place where there’s constant humidity.

A good plan you can consider is to change your current shower liner, wash it using the washing machine, and replace it with a new one.

After washing the liner and letting it dry, you can fold it and put it away in a drawer or shelf. 

Doing this could help you extend the durability of shower liners. Yet, it would be best if you considered keeping a regular cleaning schedule to avoid it staining too quickly.

How Do You Clean a Vinyl Shower Curtain Liner?

Cleaning a vinyl or plastic shower curtain liner is not a hard task, and you can easily do it with a washing machine. You just need to add two-part baking soda and two-part laundry detergent to wash it efficiently.

You can also choose to clean your vinyl shower curtain by hand, using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. But, again, make sure that you understand how to do it correctly.

Otherwise, you’ll struggle to get rid of the stains.

Can I Put a Shower Curtain Liner With Magnets in the Washer?

Magnet shower curtain liners are safe to use in the washing machine, so the possibility of it suffering harm is nothing to be concerned about. If you want to make sure that they wash safely, use a gentle cycle and the proper cleaning products.

Magnet shower liners are the latest things for decorating your bathroom. You can find the proper guidelines for washing them by checking their label or the manufacturer’s instructions.

This can give you a better idea of what to do and how to do it.

How Often Should You Change Plastic Shower Liner?

Many people recommend that you change your plastic shower liner weekly. This is because the liner is more susceptible to getting mold, mildew, and other types of dirt, unlike the shower curtain itself, which needs to be changed every one to three months. 

The fabric shower curtain isn’t as exposed to humidity as the liner, hence the difference. You should keep them both clean, regardless, since it’ll help maintain a healthier environment for you and your household.

Can You Clean a Shower Curtain Liner by Hand?

Hand-cleaning a shower curtain liner is doable, and there are several options to choose from. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are required to fulfill this task. To get the most out of your liner, it’s important to understand how to clean them appropriately.

Also, using them will require you to scrub. You can wash the curtain inside or outside your house using these products.

However, you can also use other products to clean them if you don’t want to apply harsh chemicals to them, like tea tree oil or citrus seed extract.

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Related Questions

How Do You Clean a Shower Curtain Without a Washing Machine?

Cleaning a shower curtain without using a washing machine can seem hard, but the truth is that it isn’t. You just need baking soda and old clothing rags to help you do it. It’s a smooth and easy process that won’t take much time.

You need to submerge an old cloth rag in water and add baking soda to mix it in. After, scrape the shower curtain to clean it thoroughly.

Then, use another rag dampened in water to rinse it properly.

Is It Better to Leave Shower Curtain Open or Closed?

There has been an ongoing debate on whether or not should a shower curtain remain closed or open. The truth is that, after every shower, you should make sure to close your shower curtain because it needs to be able to dry and breathe. 

Not doing so can promote mold, mildew, and bacteria growth.

Logically, a non-dry environment will harbor a lot of humidity, which can be a perfect growing spot for tedious-to-remove shower curtain stains.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning a shower curtain with a washing machine is simple, but you must be careful with different fabrics.

Some fabrics tolerate some detergents better than others, so it’s best to consider this before using a washing machine.

You can also handwash them with ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, tea tree oil, and citrus seed extract.

The best way to maintain a clean shower curtain is by keeping an overall safe environment in your bathroom.

Make sure that your bathroom’s air stays refreshed. Otherwise, it will harbor humidity and cause your shower curtain to stain.