How to Clean Bathroom Curtain?

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Bathroom curtains collect a lot of soap scum and mildew over time. In that case, it may feel tempting to throw the curtain out and replace it.

Don’t resort to that just yet. Deep cleaning the bathroom curtain can bring it back to excellent condition—like it were new.

The process is not long or arduous. So, you’ll actually save time cleaning it instead of purchasing a new one.

Moreover, you’ll save money cleaning than purchasing replacements frequently. So, here’s a guide on how to clean a bathroom curtain.

Steps on How to Clean a Bathroom Curtain with Your Hands

There are two ways you can clean your bathroom curtain.

You can clean it with your hands or with the washing machine.

Using your hands is a better option because it ensures more attention and care.

Therefore, it’s recommended you clean the shower curtain with your hands.

Know the Difference Between a Bathroom Curtain and Curtain Liner

Before you begin cleaning your bathroom curtain, you must understand that there’s a difference between the bathroom curtain and the curtain liner.

The shower curtain (same as the bathroom curtain) is on the outside of your bathtub.

On the other hand, the curtain liner is on the inside, facing the bathtub. Curtain liners are made of plastic, and some bathroom curtains are too.

It’s important to know this distinction because the curtain is a little more challenging to clean. You will have to take care not to damage the bathroom curtain during the cleaning process.

With that said, here are the steps you must follow when cleaning a shower curtain with your hands.

Step 1. Remove the Bathroom Curtain from the Rings

You will need to remove the bathroom curtain from the rings to clean it.

You cannot clean it while it’s still hanging. Doing so may compromise the integrity of the rod.

Step 2. Gather the Necessary Cleaning Supplies

You will require a few cleaning supplies to ensure you clean the bathroom curtain effectively.

All of the supplies are common household items, so you most likely won’t have to purchase anything separately.

The cleaning supplies you need include:

  • A microfiber cloth (this material is ideal for picking up soap scum, and it’s soft, so it won’t scratch or damage the plastic curtain)
  • Baking soda

Step 3. Sprinkle Baking Soda onto the Bathroom Curtain

You will need to make the bathroom curtain damp. After that, sprinkle some baking soda onto the damp curtain.

The water and baking soda will mix to make a paste-like cleaning agent.

It should effectively remove soap scum and mildew that may have clung to the bathroom curtain.

Step 4. Scrub the Bathroom Curtain

Place a portion of the bathroom curtain against your hand.

Start from one corner of the curtain and keep moving gradually to the opposite corner.

Next, use the microfiber cloth to scrub that part of the curtain.

Using your palm as support instead of a hard surface is better because it reduces the chances of damaging the curtain.

Make sure to scrub the bathroom in a circular motion to clean it effectively.

You won’t need to spend more than a few seconds cleaning one portion of the bathroom curtain.  

When scrubbing, move horizontally and then vertically so that you clean the entire surface of the bathroom curtain.

Clean the other side after you’re done with the first.

Step 5. Rinse the Bathroom Curtain with Warm Water

Rinse the bathroom curtain with warm water after scrubbing it.

Make sure that there are no traces of baking soda left on the curtain.

Step 6. Inspect the Bathroom Curtain for Some Stains You May Have Missed

Often, you’ll find that some hard water stains or traces of soap scum are harder to remove than others.

Therefore, you must inspect the bathroom curtain once to look for any pesky stains.

Clean the stains with baking soda and water again, but don’t apply much force when you’re scrubbing.

Rinse the curtain once again with warm water until it’s completely clean. 

Step 7. Let the Bathroom Curtain Air Dry

Install the bathroom curtain back onto rings and hang it on the rod in the bathroom.

Doing so will allow the curtain to air dry.

Steps on How to Clean a Bathroom Curtain with a Washing Machine

Cleaning the bathroom curtain with the washing machine is an excellent choice when you’re short on time.

It also won’t damage your plastic bathroom curtain if you use the correct settings on the washing machine.

The first step from the previous process, i.e., removing the curtain from the rings, is the same.

Take a look at the following steps for cleaning fabric bathroom curtains in the washing machine.

These steps are applicable for fabrics such as polyester, cotton blend, vinyl, or microfiber.

Step 1. Fill the Washing Machine with Water

You should put your washing machine on the largest load setting and fill it with warm water.

Step 2. Add the Cleaning Agents to the Washing Machine

Add about two drops of a soft detergent. Next, add a cup of white vinegar into the warm water.

Let the three ingredients mix well.

Don’t add more detergent because it may react badly with the vinegar, potentially spoiling the curtain in the process.

Step 3. Toss the Bathroom Curtain in the Washing Machine

Toss the fabric bathroom curtain into your washing machine.

Next, start the cycle at a gentle setting.

Step 4. Put the Fabric Bathroom Curtain Back

The fabric bathroom curtain should be clean after the cycle. Remove it from the washing machine and install it onto the shower curtain rod to let it air dry. Do not put the curtain into the dryer.

What You Must Do to Clean a Plastic Bathroom Curtain

You can also wash a plastic bathroom curtain in a washing machine.

It won’t get damaged as long as you wash it along with a few other clothes. Keep the following in mind.

Use the Cold Setting

The cold setting is best for cleaning a plastic bathroom curtain because cold water is more gentle than warmer water.

In addition to that, you should use half a cup of any of the following cleaning agents:

  • baking soda
  • color-safe bleach
  • vinegar
  • detergent

Make sure to use any one of these cleaning agents—do not mix them.

Mixing them could cause a chemical reaction that could ruin the curtain.

Moreover, you should consider using bleach as the cleaning agent when the curtain has mildew or mold spores.

Wash the Curtain with Other Clothes

You should toss in two bath towels when washing a plastic bathroom curtain.

As a result, the bath towels will provide the curtain a bit of protection during the cycle. Plastic curtains can tear easily.

In addition to keeping the curtain safe, the towels will act as a scrub for the plastic bathroom curtain. Therefore, you can expect it to be clean even if it is particularly dirty.

Always Air Dry a Plastic Bathroom Curtain

Like fabric bathroom curtains, you should also air dry plastic ones. That said, plastic curtains are more susceptible to damage, so putting them into the dryer will most likely damage them.

You can clean plastic shower curtain liners in the same way.

Because they are of the same material as the curtains in question, there are no specific changes needed in the cleaning method.

Tips to Make Cleaning the Bathroom Curtain Easier

You can make the process of cleaning your bathroom curtain easier and quicker by following tips.

Clean Your Bathroom Curtain Often

The buildup of soap scum and mildew on the bathroom curtain will increase when you leave it unclean.

Therefore, you should aim to clean the bathroom curtain once a month. This way, you won’t have to spend much time scrubbing the curtain to remove some pesky stains.

Cleaning the bathroom curtain once a month can also remove odors from the bathroom and keep sickness away.

Wash Your Bathroom Curtain Rings When Cleaning the Curtain

It’s always best to wash the curtain liner when washing the curtain. At the same time, you could also clean the curtains while the curtain and the liner are in the wash.

Like the curtain and curtain liner, the rings also gather soap scum and mildew. So, you can clean it by filling hot water in the bathroom sink.

Next, add a cup of white vinegar to the sink.

Soak the curtain rings in the sink when the curtain is being washed. When the wash cycle is complete, the rings should also be clean.

Drain the sink and use your fingers to remove any soap scum or limescale that may be present. Rinse the rings with water to finish the process.

Last Few Words

Cleaning your bathroom curtain is a straightforward and quick process. It will also save you from spending money on replacements.

Take out some time on one weekend in the month and clean all the parts of the bathroom curtain.

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