How to Clean Shower Curtain and Liner

Shower curtains and liners accumulate soap scum, mold, mildew, and hard water deposits with every use. A dirty curtain or liner is not just unsightly — it's a source of mold spores and bacteria that affect your bathroom's air quality. The good news: most shower curtains and liners can be cleaned in the washing machine in minutes.

Types of Shower Curtains and Liners

Fabric curtains (cotton, polyester, nylon) – machine washable
Plastic/vinyl liners (PEVA, EVA, PVC) – machine washable on gentle cycle
Fabric liners (polyester) – machine washable

Check the care label before washing. Most curtains and liners are machine washable.

What You'll Need

Laundry detergent
White vinegar
Baking soda
Rubber gloves (for hand washing)
Soft brush (for spot treatment)

Recommended: white vinegar, baking soda, and RMR-86 Mold Remover for spot-treating severe mold before washing.

Method 1: Machine Wash (Easiest — Works for Most Curtains & Liners)

Remove the curtain or liner from the rings.
Place in the washing machine with 1–2 bath towels — the towels act as scrubbers and prevent the curtain from bunching.
Add your regular laundry detergent.
Add ½ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle (or add directly to the drum).
Wash on a warm, gentle cycle.
Remove promptly and hang back on the rod to air dry — do not put in the dryer (heat can warp plastic liners and shrink fabric curtains).

Method 2: Machine Wash with Baking Soda (For Mold & Odors)

Add ½ cup of baking soda to the wash cycle along with your detergent.
Add ½ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Wash on warm, gentle cycle.
Hang to air dry.

Baking soda deodorizes and helps remove mold staining; vinegar disinfects and softens the fabric.

Method 3: Hand Washing (For Delicate Curtains)

Fill the bathtub with warm water and add ½ cup of laundry detergent and ½ cup of white vinegar.
Submerge the curtain and agitate by hand.
Let soak for 30 minutes.
Scrub any mold or soap scum spots with a soft brush.
Rinse thoroughly and hang to dry.

Removing Mold from Shower Curtains

For curtains with visible mold spots:

Spot-treat mold with RMR-86 Mold Remover or a diluted bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per cup of water) before washing.
Let the treatment sit for 5–10 minutes.
Rinse the spot, then machine wash as normal.

Note: Bleach can damage colored fabric curtains. Use RMR-86 or an oxygen-based stain remover for colored curtains.

Cleaning Shower Curtain Rings

Don't forget the rings — they accumulate soap scum and mineral deposits:

Remove rings from the rod.
Soak in white vinegar for 15–30 minutes.
Scrub with a small brush and rinse.
Alternatively, place plastic rings in the top rack of the dishwasher.

How Often Should You Clean Your Shower Curtain?

Liner: monthly machine wash
Fabric curtain: every 1–3 months
Rings: monthly vinegar soak
Replace the liner: every 6–12 months, or when mold is too severe to clean

Preventing Mold on Shower Curtains

Spread the curtain fully after every shower – allows it to dry completely; a bunched curtain stays damp and grows mold faster
Run the exhaust fan – reduces bathroom humidity after showering
Spray with diluted vinegar weekly – inhibits mold growth between washes
Choose a mold-resistant liner – PEVA and fabric liners resist mold better than PVC
Leave the bathroom door open after showering – improves air circulation and drying

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a plastic shower liner in the dryer?

No — heat will warp and melt plastic liners. Always hang to air dry. Fabric curtains can go in the dryer on low heat, but air drying is gentler and prevents shrinkage.

How do I remove pink mold from a shower curtain?

Pink mold (Serratia marcescens bacteria) responds well to bleach. Spot-treat with diluted bleach, let sit 5 minutes, rinse, then machine wash. For colored curtains, use an oxygen-based cleaner instead.

My shower liner smells musty even after washing — what should I do?

Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle and ½ cup of baking soda. If the smell persists after washing, the liner has mold embedded in the material and should be replaced. Liners are inexpensive and should be replaced every 6–12 months.

Can I wash a fabric shower curtain with a plastic liner together?

Yes — wash them together on a warm, gentle cycle with towels. The towels help scrub both items clean.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your shower curtain and liner is one of the easiest bathroom cleaning tasks — most go straight into the washing machine with detergent and vinegar. Monthly washing prevents mold from establishing, and spreading the curtain fully after every shower is the single most effective prevention habit. When the liner is beyond cleaning, replace it — a fresh liner is inexpensive and makes an immediate difference in bathroom hygiene and appearance.

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