About Shower Curtains

Shower curtains are a definite necessity when you are taking a shower. It not only helps create a barrier between water and the bathroom floor but shower curtains can add color and style to your bathroom. In fact some choose to hang cloth shower curtains over vinyl curtain liners so they can keep the cloth curtain dry and pretty. Whether you plan to hang a vinyl curtain or cloth curtain it's up to you, yet you should consider how much ventilation, privacy and protection your shower needs.

Ventilation

Is your bathroom well ventilated? Do you have an air vent or window that can be opened to help suck out moisture and steam? These are questions to consider. If you have a vinyl shower curtain in a badly ventilated bathroom you will notice mold growth much faster. Vinyl is easy to clean if you clean it at least once every two weeks. However, cloth curtains can be thrown into the washer. Ideally, if you plan to use a cloth curtain this will hang outside the bath while a vinyl liner hangs inside the tub. This keeps your cloth curtain dry and is easier maintenance.If you have a bigger bathroom with lots of windows and good ventilation, you have less mold and mildew issues to worry about.

Privacy

Privacy could be another reason to hang a shower curtain. You may not want a clear shower curtain which is still revealing. Instead, choose a curtain that is solid or has a busy pattern. You could also use a clear vinyl liner for protection and a cloth curtain for privacy.

Cleaning

If you have a vinyl curtain that needs cleaning, first remove it from the curtain rod. Use a scrub brush to clean the inside of the shower curtain. If plain water and a scrub brush do not do the job, pour a little bit of laundry detergent, bleach or vinegar over the shower curtain and continue to scrub. Use a small amount of bleach and water combination to remove any spots of mildew. Cloth shower curtains can be hand washed, dry cleaned or thrown into a washer. Follow any instructions that are on the label since it may matter what type of soap is used on certain fabrics. When you are done hand washing your curtain, hang it back up on the curtain rod to dry. You may put it in the dryer, however, check the instructions. The dryer could shrink your curtain.

Article by Anita Winter