My shower curtains keep getting moldy...help!

[JumpyTheFrog]

We use a cloth shower curtain liner on the inside of the tub and a nice looking shower curtain on the outside. The liners keep getting moldy and the mold doesn't seem to wash out. What can we do? This liner only made it 6 weeks. We need something that doesn't get mold stains on it easily.

 

ETA: We always leave the fan on in the bathroom during a shower and for about 10-20 minutes after.

[fairfarmhand]

I use a clear vinyl one, which lasts a bit longer, but after it gets moldy (usually 8 wks or so) I wash in the washer in hot water with vinegar. Good as new. The high quality vinyl ones can hold up under the washing etc. for over a year.

[mrs.m]

That really is normal. I just toss it in the washer with some kitchen towels to help "scrub" it.

[JumpyTheFrog]

I use a clear vinyl one, which lasts a bit longer, but after it gets moldy (usually 8 wks or so) I wash in the washer in hot water with vinegar. Good as new. The high quality vinyl ones can hold up under the washing etc. for over a year.

 

Do the mold stains come out? We used to use clear vinyl liners, but they were even more of a problem. We switched to cloth so we could wash them. Maybe we need to try more expensive vinyl liners?

Edited November 15, 2011 by HoppyTheToad
typo

[fairfarmhand]

Mine are not even woven to get the mold stain IN them. It is more that the mold is ON the plastic. When I say vinyl, they are like one of those plastic table cloths that are just big sheets of heavy clear plastic.

 

But yeah, when I wash them every 6-8 weeks or so, the mold comes right off. I don't know if your "supposed" to wash them, I think the package said to simply wipe them down, but I tossed them in the washer anyway with a towel to "scrub" them

[mrs.m]

Do the mold stains come out? We used to use clear vinyl liners, but they were even more of a problem. We switched to cloth so we could wash them. Maybe we need to try more expensive vinyl liners?

 

I use vinyl liners from the dollar store and bleach them. I have to replace about once per year (they rip, etc.) and then we use them for drop clothes.

[Jennifer3141]

We use the cloth ones and we just drop them in the machine every week. You're getting that much mold? Does your bathroom need more ventilation?

[Rebecca VA]

Look for liners that say "mold-resistant" on the package -- I buy ours at Target for less than $10. You can wash liners in bleach, and that will help kill the mold. We replace ours several times a year.

 

You might also want to look into getting a portable dehumidifier for your bathroom. We use one, and it soaks up a gallon or more of water every week from the air.

[SueinNC]

Do you leave your shower curtain open or in the closed position after each shower? By keeping it closed, there are no nooks and crannies for the mold to accumulate. I just spray (no scrubbing necessary) the shower side with clorox clean up with bleach once a week or so to prevent any mildew, soap stains, or mold build-up. It stays clean using this method.

[Excelsior! Academy]

I use a clear vinyl one, which lasts a bit longer, but after it gets moldy (usually 8 wks or so) I wash in the washer in hot water with vinegar. Good as new. The high quality vinyl ones can hold up under the washing etc. for over a year.

 

:iagree:

[SailorMom]

We buy the cheap vinyl ones. I use scrubbing bubbles on them and wipe them down. But after about 4 or 5 months they need replaced. However, since they only cost about $4, it isn't a big deal!

As for stains on the fabric ones, mildew and mold stain horribly. I've yet to find anything that completely gets the stains out.

[jasar31629]

Is it too long or anything? Does it drag on the floor and accumulate moisture? Do you spread it out after a shower? That's odd... Hope you get it figured out!

[Unicorn.]

Look for liners that say "mold-resistant" on the package -- I buy ours at Target for less than $10. You can wash liners in bleach, and that will help kill the mold. We replace ours several times a year.

 

You might also want to look into getting a portable dehumidifier for your bathroom. We use one, and it soaks up a gallon or more of water every week from the air.

 

This is what I buy also, and they last for years. I do take them down and wash w/ towels a few times a year though.

[BlessedMom]

We just buy the really cheap vinyl ones and replace them at the first sign of mold. They are used as a liner behind my decorative cloth shower curtain.

[naturalhomestead]

Good ideas. I never really thought about putting it in the washer. I would scrub them but it wouldn't always do the trick. I'll have to try that this week.

[walkermamaof4]

we switched to buying the really expensive one at bed bath and beyond that says it won't mold - hotel kind. it doesn't mold. our cheap ones did. the 20% off coupons help.

[gardenmom5]

I use a vinyl liner. I also throw the liner over the shower head after a shower so it will drain and dry with air circulation.

 

and I leave the fan going with the door/s closed for a goodly while afterwards.

[Mergath]

We use a plastic liner, too. I got a nice one from Menard's that doesn't release any harmful VOCs. Before, when we had a cloth liner, it was covered in mold all the time, and even the washer didn't get it all out. Now, we have no problems.

[songbirdie]

We use a fabric one, and bleach it in the washer. But - to make it last longer between washings we make sure to pull the bottome of it out of the tub and hang it freely on the outside of the tub to make sure it can airdry.

 

BIG TIP: We hung our shower curtain rod a few inches *away* from the outside of the tub so it is not touching anything at the bottom as it dries. Makes a huge difference!

[VaKim]

If you use a vinyl one with a hem in it, cut the hem off. Mold tends to accumulate there because it never truly drains. Also, leave it stretched out after using (whether you call this opened or closed), as someone else has said.

[Bassoonaroo]

Spraying with VitalOxide helps slow it down too. I got mine from National Allergy Supply.

[BatmansWife]

I used to buy the really cheap ones from Walmart, but they didn't last too long. I started buying the more expensive ones from Walmart that say "mold resistant" (or something like that); they are about $10. Now I only have to buy about 2 a year. I had no idea you could throw these in the washer. I'm actually not sure if these are vinyl or a heavy plastic. Can either go in the washer?

[melissel]

This is what I buy also, and they last for years. I do take them down and wash w/ towels a few times a year though.

 

Here as well. I used to buy the dollar store ones, but I found that even with washing them, I was replacing them at least once a year, and I'm not comfortable with that much plastic waste if I can avoid it. I bought a better-quality, PVC-free one at Target, and it's much sturdier.

 

We did try the cloth route but found it would stick to the outer wall of the tub and never dry. It got very bad mold stains that I can't get out now, which is too bad because it was the most beautiful pattern! And the instructions said not to use bleach or hot water on it because it destroys the water resistance of the weave. It was just more than I could deal with *sigh*

[SweetMissMagnolia]

happens here too--I have a cloth shower curtain (finally found one) and then a clear vinyl liner....when the liner gets to the point that cleaning isn't working anymore I usually just toss and get a new one....:glare:

[Harriet Vane]

I like the advice to wash with some towels. I also advise adding bleach.