To clean a shower curtain or liner, the method depends on the material. Fabric curtains (cotton, linen, polyester) machine wash on a cold cycle with mild detergent; synthetic and plastic liners (vinyl, EVA, polyester) machine wash on a low-heat cycle, or hand wash by scrubbing with baking soda. Avoid chlorine bleach on polyester — it yellows and degrades the material — and use white vinegar as a gentler alternative. Whatever the material, always check the care label first, and clean the curtain about once a month to stay ahead of soap scum and mildew. Here’s the full method for every type, plus the rings and rod.
While this covers most curtains, always check your curtain’s label or packaging and follow its care instructions for best results.
How to clean fabric and synthetic shower curtains
Start with what your curtain is made of. A fabric curtain (cotton, linen, polyester, or a blend) cleans as easily as any other cloth: machine wash on a cold cycle with mild detergent. For delicate or decorative curtains, use a mesh laundry bag, or wash a towel alongside to cushion it.
Many modern curtains are mold- and microbe-resistant plastics or synthetics like polyester, vinyl, or EVA. Yes, you can machine wash these — they’re built to withstand water and warmth — on a low-heat cycle with mild detergent. Because most are already antimicrobial, they don’t need harsh cleaners.
Take particular care to avoid chlorine bleach on polyester, which yellows white material and eats away the surface, shortening the curtain’s life. (And as a general safety rule, never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia — the combination releases toxic gas.)
Pro Tip: for a natural alternative to bleach, add a cup of white vinegar with a little detergent to the wash to freshen the curtain.
After washing, hang it back up to drip-dry or tumble dry on low. You can iron on low heat to remove creases, though many curtains are wrinkle-resistant, and a weighted hem usually pulls creases out on its own once hung.
How to clean a shower curtain liner
If you use a natural-fiber curtain, you probably pair it with a liner to keep it dry. Liners are usually waterproof, antimicrobial synthetics — polyester, EVA, or vinyl — and wash just like any synthetic curtain: a cold machine cycle is perfectly safe, then air dry or tumble dry on low. For a plastic liner specifically, here’s our dedicated guide on how to wash plastic shower curtains.
How to hand wash a shower curtain
If you’d rather not machine wash it — or the label says not to — hand washing works just as well. Take the curtain down to make it easier to handle. Dampen it and sprinkle on baking soda, then scrub away soap scum, water stains, and mildew with a brush or microfiber cloth; baking soda is safe on any curtain material. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove all residue, then hang to air dry.
Don’t forget the rings and rod
While the curtain and liner are in the wash, clean the rest of the shower — starting with the rod and rings, so you’re not rehanging a clean curtain on a grimy rail. Remove the rings, put them in the sink with hot water and a couple of drops of detergent (or a cup of white vinegar), and let them soak while the curtain washes, then rinse and rehang. Wipe the rod down with an all-purpose bathroom cleaner on a cloth to remove water marks and dust.
How often should you clean a shower curtain?
Probably more often than you’d think. Curtains take heavy use — repeatedly soaked, kept in a dark, humid spot, and collecting soap residue and hard-water marks — so even dirt-resistant ones need help. Aim to clean yours about once a month.
To stretch the time between deep cleans, wipe the curtain down during your weekly routine: spritz with an all-purpose cleaner or white vinegar, let it sit five minutes, then wipe. That keeps mildew and stains at bay and can push full washes out to roughly every three months.
Keeping a shower curtain clean is simple with a routine like this — it saves money on replacements and keeps your bathroom fresher.
