Shower Curtain Styles and Cleaning Tips

Your shower curtain is likely the largest item in your bathroom, so it’s in your own interest to put some thought into which one you want to hang up. These days, there are so many different options as to what your shower curtain can look and feel like, the experience of shopping for a shower curtain can be more like shopping for a beautiful tapestry than a useful bathroom tool.

That’s because shower curtains have taken that giant step from being only about function to becoming a beautiful form on their own. You may even end up decorating your entire bathroom based on which shower curtain you pick out.

There are shower curtains today that don’t just fit any tub, they fit any taste, too. Sports enthusiasts are sure to be able to find a basketball, football, or baseball shower curtain. There are also shower curtains with popular Disney characters or other themes. There are retro style curtains and clear curtains and opaque shower curtains. There are even curtains that have a clear window just for your face, and then a body painted on the rest to turn yourself into a caricature. And there are, of course, beautiful fabric shower curtains with beautiful designs that a even a queen would be pleased to own.

Most fabric shower curtains can be washed in a laundry machine or at least dry-cleaned. It may seem strange to have to wash your shower curtains. After all, when they are in use, it’s because you’re cleaning yourself, but that certainly doesn’t mean that they are getting clean, too. There are a few steps you can follow to take care of a plastic shower curtain:

1. Remove the shower curtain from its hooks.

2. Lay the curtain on a flat surface outside.

3. Rinse using a garden hose.

4. Scrub the curtain with a sponge and mixture of diluted bleach, using one quart of water for every cup of bleach.

5. Rinse thoroughly.

6. Repeat on other side.

7. Allow to dry.

Make sure that you do not wash your plastic or vinyl shower curtains in the washing machine on the hot setting, nor should you put one in the dryer – it could melt. Following these cleaning tips should really make your shower curtain fresh and clean.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on bathroom decor, please visit Shower Curtains.