How to Launder a Plastic Shower Curtain

When plastic shower curtains start looking dingy, the first reaction might be to throw them away. However, these curtains can be washed in the washing machine and even dried in the clothes dryer if they come out wrinkled. When they are finished, the curtains are sparkling and looking like new.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shower curtain
• Two old towels
• Laundry detergent
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Mineral oil

1. Set the washing machine on the cold water setting and the biggest load. Put in the shower curtain, along with two old towels. The towels will balance the washer and scrub the shower curtain. The mineral oil could stain the towels, so don't use nice ones.

2. Add 1/2 cup of laundry detergent and 1/2 cup of baking soda to the water. Close the lid and wait for the rinse cycle.

3. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of mineral oil to the rinse cycle. The vinegar will break up any remaining scum on the plastic and both the vinegar and the oil will add shine to the material.

4. Hang the laundered curtain up to air dry if it is mostly unwrinkled. If the curtain is wrinkled or ridged, put it in the dryer with the towels on low heat for about 3 minutes. The curtain can melt in the dryer, so keep an eye on it.

Tips & Warnings

• Never pour the vinegar and mineral oil into the fabric softener dispenser cup. Traces could remain in the cup and leak out onto clothing and other normal loads of laundry later on.