Shower Curtain Mildew Removal

Shower curtains are at risk for mildew growth.

It is hard to enjoy a nice hot shower when your shower curtain has sprouted mildew. You can remove the mildew with household cleaning products.

Plastic

If your plastic shower curtain has mold growth on it, create a paste of vinegar and baking soda and rub it over the moldy area. Allow the paste to sit for 15 minutes, then rinse it well. For dark stains left behind by the mildew, soak the curtain overnight in a solution of one part vinegar to one part water.

Cloth

For a moldy fabric shower curtain, the first step is to remove the curtain and take it outside. Knock off as much of the mildew as you can, then rub away what is left with a damp sponge. If the mildew has stained the fabric, soak the stained area in lemon juice, rub it with salt and let the fabric dry in the sun. This will remove the stain and kill any lingering mildew spores.

Considerations

Before using lemon juice on your fabric shower curtain, test a little bit of it in an inconspicuous place to be sure it will not bleach the fabric. To reduce the risk of mildew returning, install an exhaust fan in your bathroom and run it every time the shower is in use, according to "Clean Sweep."

References

• "Clean Sweep"; Alison Haynes; 2009