How to clean a shower curtain and liner (and the mildew on it)

Step by step

1. 1

   Read the care label

   Check whether the curtain or liner is machine washable or wipe-clean only, and whether bleach is allowed. Fabric curtains are usually polyester or cotton; liners are vinyl or PEVA plastic.

   Why: The label decides the method. Chlorine bleach can remove color from fabric that isn't bleach-safe. Our laundry symbols guide explains the codes.

2. 2

   Machine-wash if the label allows

   Wash the curtain or liner with detergent on the cycle and temperature the label gives. For mildew on a white plastic liner or bleach-safe white fabric, add liquid household bleach with the detergent as the bleach label directs.

   Why: Detergent removes soap scum and body soil, which is what mildew feeds on. The American Cleaning Institute recommends household bleach or bleach cleaners for mildew.

3. 3

   Or scrub a non-washable liner by hand

   Lay the liner in the tub, scrub mildewed areas with detergent and water, and rinse. Then, wearing gloves with the fan on, apply a solution of 1/4 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water and keep the surface wet for 10 to 15 minutes.

   Why: Detergent removes the growth and the film it lives on. On nonporous plastic, the bleach solution then kills what's left (North Dakota State Extension's method).

4. 4

   Hang it to dry fully

   Hang the curtain or liner spread out on the rod or a line and let it dry completely before you bunch it back up. Don't put plastic liners in a hot dryer.

   Why: Damp folds regrow mildew, and hot dryers stiffen and distort plastic liners.

5. 5

   Spread it out after every shower

   After each shower, pull the curtain closed along the whole rod so it isn't bunched, and run the exhaust fan.

   Why: Air circulation and lower humidity let it dry before mildew can grow. Bathrooms are prone to mold when fans aren't used.

Why shower curtains get black and pink spots

A shower curtain stays wet for hours, and its lower edge collects soap scum and body soil. That combination of moisture and food is exactly what mold and mildew need. Black, gray or green spots are mold and mildew. Pink or orange film at the bottom of a liner is handled the same way: remove the film, kill what's left, dry it out.

The material shapes the method. Plastic liners are nonporous, so a bleach solution works well on them, but they stiffen in hot water and dryers. Fabric curtains wash like other laundry, and bleach is fine only on white, bleach-safe fabric. For mildew on other fabrics, see mildew stains.

How often: sources don't give a fixed schedule. Wash whenever mildew spots or soap film appear, and spread the curtain out to dry after every shower. If mildew comes back heavily and quickly, North Dakota State Extension notes that points to a ventilation or leak problem, not a cleaning problem.

By situation

Plastic shower curtain liner

Machine-wash it if the label allows, or scrub it in the tub and use the 1/4-cup-per-gallon bleach solution. Hang it to dry instead of using the dryer.

Fabric shower curtain

Wash it like laundry per the care label. Use chlorine bleach only on white fabric whose label allows it; for colors, wash with detergent and treat mildew spots as a fabric mildew stain.

Pink slime at the bottom of the liner

Scrub it off with detergent and water, apply the bleach solution, rinse and dry. Running the fan and spreading the liner out after showers slows its return.

The liner is badly mildewed and cheap

Replacing an inexpensive liner is an option instead of fighting heavy, deep-set mildew. Either way, fix the ventilation, or a new liner will go the same way.

A musty smell in the bathroom

A mildewed curtain is a common source. Wash or replace it, run the fan during and after showers, and see mildew smell in the house if the smell persists.

What not to do

• Don't mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other cleaners. Bleach with ammonia or acids releases toxic gas. See what never to mix.
• Don't use chlorine bleach on colored fabric curtains unless the label allows it. It can remove the color.
• Don't leave the curtain bunched up after showering. The folds stay wet and grow mildew.
• Don't put a plastic liner in a hot dryer. Heat stiffens and warps plastic.

Other methods that work

Bleach-containing bathroom cleaner

The American Cleaning Institute lists cleaners with bleach, as well as liquid household bleach, for mildew in bathrooms. Spray, leave as directed, rinse and dry.

Caution: Ventilate, wear gloves and keep it off colored fabric.

Replace the liner

For an inexpensive liner with heavy, recurring mildew, replacing it can be simpler than repeated bleach treatments.

Caution: Fix airflow or leaks first, or the new one will mildew too.

Stain still there?

Mildew spots remain after washing

On white plastic, apply the bleach solution directly and keep it wet 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse. On colored fabric, faint mildew stains may be permanent.

Mildew comes back within a week or two

The bathroom is staying too humid. Run the exhaust fan during and after showers, spread the curtain out, and check for leaks.

Safety

• Wear rubber gloves and run the fan or open a window when using bleach.
• Use bleach only with plain water.

Never mix cleaning products; see chemicals you must never combine.

Questions

More guides for this room

• How to clean a bathtub and get stains out of it
• How to clean glass shower doors (soap scum and hard water)
• How to remove hard water stains from any surface
• How to remove rust stains from a toilet, tub, sink or concrete
• How to clean a shower head and remove calcium buildup from faucets
• How to clean tile grout, including mold in shower grout
• How to clean a toilet bowl and remove rings and stains