Matthew Harrison, a cleaning expert with over two decades of experience in the industry at PriceYourJob.co.uk, highlights that mould often thrives in damp areas like bathrooms and insists it shouldn’t be allowed to grow unchecked anywhere, including on shower curtains.
The majority of mould found on shower curtains is mildew, which can emit harmful spores adversely affecting health, potentially causing coughing, congestion, and headaches with prolonged exposure, reports the Express. To minimise the chance of mould growth, Matthew offers a simple yet effective tip regarding the proper placement of shower curtain liners.
He said: “The plastic liner of your shower curtain should always be kept inside your bathtub, whilst the fabric (if your curtain has any) should be kept outside.
“This will prevent moisture from getting trapped between the two and also allow them to dry more quickly both being crucial factors for mould prevention.”
How to wash shower curtains
When it comes to cleaning shower curtains, regular washing is essential to prevent mould accumulation. Fabric curtains can typically go into the washing machine and are best cleaned with “one cup of vinegar” white vinegar to be specific.
The plastic liner, however, should be washed separately, ideally with bath towels on a “delicate, cold-water cycle” alongside “a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar” during the rinse phase. The fabric curtain and plastic liner must be air-dried, whilst the rods and rings holding the shower curtain up can be wiped clean using an all-purpose cleaner.
Matthew further recommended “spraying down the plastic liner of your shower curtain weekly” to prevent mildew. He added: “Simply spray it with either a store-bought bathroom cleaner or a solution of equal parts warm water and distilled white vinegar.”
Controlling humidity in the bathroom is also beneficial, which means ensuring proper ventilation is crucial. Matthew said: “Make sure that the area is well-ventilated by leaving the door open a crack and opening a window.
“Extractor fans and dehumidifiers are excellent appliances to consider purchasing to further combat this issue.”