Sofia Martinez
Keeping your shower curtain clean is important to prevent the build-up of mould, mildew, and soap scum. While some people opt to hand wash their plastic shower curtains, machine washing is also an option. When machine washing a plastic shower curtain, it is important to use a gentle cycle with warm or cool water to avoid damaging the curtain. Additionally, adding a small amount of detergent or another cleaning agent, such as vinegar or baking soda, can help remove dirt and residue. After washing, the curtain should be hung up to air dry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Washer Settings | Delicate or handwash cycles with slow spin speeds, cool or <co: 0,1,2,4,8,11>warm water, high water level |
| Cleaning Agents | Bleach, detergent, vinegar, or baking soda |
| Drying | Air dry, do not tumble dry |
| Cleaning Frequency | Once a month or every 4-6 months |
| Other Tips | Wash with towels, pretreat with vinegar, check care label |
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What You'll Learn
Use a gentle cycle with warm water and a small amount of detergent
When machine washing a plastic shower curtain, it's important to use a gentle cycle with warm water and a small amount of detergent. Avoid hot water as it may damage the plastic. A delicate or handwash cycle with a slow spin speed is best for plastic curtains.
To start, pretreat your shower curtain by running it through the rinse cycle of your washing machine with a little bit of distilled white vinegar. This will help prevent the build-up of soap scum and mildew. Set the water to warm, and keep an eye on the temperature to ensure it doesn't get too hot.
After the pretreatment, you can proceed with the gentle cycle using warm water and a small amount of detergent. Choose a gentle or delicate cycle with a low temperature and slow spin speed. Add a couple of bath towels to the load. Towels help wipe off dirt and residue, balance the load, and provide agitation to help get your curtain crystal clean.
When the wash cycle is complete, remove the curtain from the machine and hang it back on the shower rod or outside to air dry. Plastic shower curtains should not be put in the dryer. Always refer to the care label of your shower curtain for specific washing and drying instructions.
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Bleach can be added to remove mould and mildew
Bleach can be added to the wash cycle to remove mould and mildew from a plastic shower curtain. It is recommended to use a 1:1 solution of bleach and water.
Firstly, spray any areas of the curtain that have visible mildew spots or pink mould with the bleach solution. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also pretreat any noticeably mildewed spots with a stain remover. Then, place the curtain in the washing machine with an old towel to balance out the load and passively scrub the curtain. Add laundry detergent for the smallest load—usually less than 1 tablespoon—and, optionally, 1 tablespoon of bleach, according to your washing machine’s directions.
It is important to note that hot water may cause plastic to melt or discolour, so warm or cool water is ideal. Wash on a gentle cycle with high water levels and a slow spin speed.
After the wash cycle, remove the curtain and hang it back up on the shower rod or outside to air dry.
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Avoid hot water to prevent damage
When machine washing a plastic shower curtain, it is important to avoid hot water to prevent damage. Warm or cool water is ideal as it helps prevent damage to the shower curtain or its liner. Setting the water temperature to warm, not hot, is crucial because you don't want a melted shower curtain inside your washer.
To wash a plastic shower curtain, use warm water combined with vinegar, baking soda, or gentle laundry detergent. You can also add a couple of bath towels, which will help wipe off dirt and residue and balance the load.
Delicate or handwash cycles with slow spin speeds are safest for plastic curtains. After the washing cycle is complete, remove the curtain and hang it back on the shower rod or outside to air dry.
If you are specifically looking to kill mold spores or remove mildew, use bleach as your washing product. Keep the washing machine on a cool setting to avoid warping or melting the plastic shower curtain.
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Wash with towels to balance the load
When it comes to washing a plastic shower curtain, it is recommended to wash it with towels to balance the load. This method is ideal for keeping your shower curtain free of mould, mildew and soap scum.
Firstly, remove the rings and toss the curtain into the washing machine with two to three white cotton towels. The towels will provide extra scrubbing for better cleaning and help balance the load.
Next, add a small amount of detergent and set the machine to a gentle cycle with warm or cool water. Avoid hot water as this may damage your shower curtain.
Once the cycle is complete, remove the curtain and hang it back on the shower rod or outside to air dry. Do not put your plastic curtain in the dryer.
By following these steps, you can effectively wash your plastic shower curtain and keep it looking fresh and clean.
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Air dry only
Air drying your plastic shower curtain is an essential step in the machine-washing process. Never put your plastic shower curtain in a dryer—always air dry it.
After washing your plastic shower curtain, remove it from the machine and hang it back on the shower rod or outside to air dry. You can also shake out the curtain before hanging it up to speed up the drying process.
It is important to avoid hot water when washing plastic shower curtains, as this can cause damage. Warm or cool water is ideal, and you should always ensure that you use a gentle cycle with a low temperature and slow spin speed.
If you are looking to kill mold spores or remove mildew, you can add 1/2 cup of bleach or color-safe bleach to your wash cycle. However, if you are air-drying your curtain, simply hanging it up after washing will allow it to dry and help prevent the build-up of mold or mildew.
To keep your plastic shower curtain cleaner for longer, you can apply a general shower cleaning spray after each use to prevent soap scum and other grime build-up.
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Frequently asked questions
Machine-washing a plastic shower curtain is a simple process. First, set your washing machine to a gentle cycle with warm or cool water and the highest water level. Then, add a small amount of detergent, vinegar, or baking soda, and a couple of towels to the load. Once the cycle is complete, remove the curtain and hang it up to air dry.
It is recommended that you machine wash your plastic shower curtain at least once a month to prevent the buildup of mildew and mould.
No, it is not recommended to machine wash a plastic shower curtain with other clothes. The plastic curtain can trap smaller items of clothing, preventing them from being properly cleaned or dried.
