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Photo by Chuck Collier/Getty ImagesYour bathroom is arguably one of the most vital areas of the home to keep hygienic. It's a compact space frequently exposed to moisture, along with bacteria, dead skin cells, and various germs. Shower stalls, in particular, are breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and fungi, which often thrive on damp shower curtains. Regular care and maintenance of your shower curtain help prevent mildew buildup and keep those unwanted pink and black stains at bay. But how do you know when it's time to replace your curtain? Experts share their tips for replacing and cleaning shower curtains.
When to Replace Your Shower Curtain: A Guide
Some showers come with a single waterproof curtain, while others use both a curtain and a liner. Liners are designed to keep the water in the tub, protecting the curtain from getting wet. However, according to Danica Carson, co-founder of The Uncluttered Life blog, the fabric touching your tub has an expiration date. 'This may surprise people, but most manufacturers recommend replacing your shower liner every six months,' Carson explains. 'It's especially crucial to replace your shower curtain regularly if you have a chronic illness or autoimmune condition.' Carson references guidance from the Cleveland Clinic, which also suggests changing your shower curtain liner every six months to a year.
Things to Keep in Mind
How Often Should You Wash?
Even if you clean your shower curtain thoroughly, you'll need to replace it from time to time. However, washing it regularly can help extend its lifespan.
Ideally, you should clean your shower curtain liner on a regular basis,” Carson advises. “The general recommendation is to spray it down at least once a month, in addition to replacing it every six months.
Becky Rapinchuk of Clean Mama suggests tossing your shower curtain into the washing machine. 'A fabric liner can be washed as often as needed, while a plastic liner can be cleaned in the washing machine with a couple of towels to help scrub it clean,' Rapinchuk explains. 'Wash it on a warm or cool setting and hang it in the shower to dry.'
Allowing It to Fully Dry
Does your shower get frequent use every day? If your curtain doesn’t have enough time to dry fully—and if your bathroom tends to stay humid—mildew is more likely to develop.
'It depends on how often the shower is used and whether it has adequate time to dry between showers,' says Dulude. You might want to replace the curtain sooner than six months if the liner stays damp from regular use.
Signs of Build-Up
Mold can appear in a range of colors. If you notice large patches of pink, orange, red, or black near the bottom of your liner, it’s time to replace your shower curtain immediately.
To prevent residue buildup between washes, consider using a spray. Dr. Julie McKinney, global director of microbiology and virology at Reckitt, recommends Lysol’s Mold and Mildew Remover. This product helps control mold and mildew growth, eliminate stains, kill viruses and bacteria, and even combat soap scum and limescale.
If you’re particularly careful about keeping your shower curtain clean and disinfected, you might be able to replace it annually instead of every six months.
“It really depends on how often you clean it,” says Rapinchuk. “If it’s too dirty and grimy, throw it out!”
In fact, if you notice any new stains on the liner or curtain, it’s time to discard it. “You’ll know it’s time for a new liner when it gets really discolored or moldy,” says Dulude.
