Can you wash mold out of shower curtain?

Mold and mildew are common problems in bathrooms, especially on shower curtains. The humid, warm environment is ideal for mold growth. While you can often clean small amounts of mold off a shower curtain, severe mold contamination generally requires replacing the curtain.

What causes mold on shower curtains?

Mold grows on shower curtains due to:

• Warm, humid environment in bathrooms
• Moisture getting trapped between the shower curtain and liner
• Soap scum residue providing nutrients for mold
• Poor bathroom ventilation

The warm, steamy conditions in a bathroom create an ideal environment for mold growth. Mold spores floating in the air land on the shower curtain and begin growing.

Moisture gets trapped between the shower curtain and plastic liner, allowing mold colonies to thrive. Soap scum residue also encourages mold growth by providing food for the fungi.

Finally, inadequate bathroom ventilation causes excess moisture to accumulate, promoting mold growth.

Can you get mold out of a shower curtain?

You can often remove small amounts of mold from a shower curtain through cleaning. However, large colonies of mold or mold that has set deep into the fabric may be impossible to completely eliminate.

Here are some tips for removing mold from shower curtains:

• Wash the shower curtain in hot water – Use the hottest water recommended for the curtain material. Hot water helps kill mold and loosen residues.
• Use bleach or other antimicrobial cleaners – Bleach solutions and cleaners containing chlorine help disinfect shower curtains and kill mold.
• Scrub with a brush – Use a stiff nylon brush to scrub the shower curtain as you wash it. This helps remove mold from textured surfaces.
• Rinse thoroughly – Make sure to completely rinse the shower curtain after washing to remove all mold, bleach residue and cleaning product buildup.
• Dry completely – Hang the shower curtain or lay it flat to dry completely before rehanging. Remaining moisture allows mold to return.

Repeat washing with hot water, bleach and scrubbing until all visible mold is gone. Be sure to rinse and dry the curtain fully before rehanging.

Home remedies for cleaning shower curtain mold

Several home remedies can help remove mild to moderate mold from shower curtains:

Vinegar

White vinegar is a natural antimicrobial that can kill mold. Fill a bathtub with hot water and add 1-2 cups of white vinegar. Soak the shower curtain for 30 minutes, then scrub with a brush and rinse.

Baking soda

Sprinkle baking soda directly on mold spots and rub gently with a damp cloth. Rinse thoroughly. Baking soda has mild abrasive properties to lift mold stains.

Hydrogen peroxide

Spray 3% hydrogen peroxide onto moldy areas of the shower curtain. Let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. Hydrogen peroxide kills mold and brightens the shower curtain.

Lemon juice

Lemon juice contains citric acid that destroys mold. Dip a cloth in undiluted lemon juice and wipe down the shower curtain. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water.

Borax

Make a borax paste by mixing 1 cup borax with just enough hot water to form a thick paste. Spread the paste onto moldy spots and let sit for 2 hours before rinsing thoroughly.

Will mold come back after removing from shower curtain?

If the source of moisture is not addressed, mold will likely return to the shower curtain after removing it. The key is to eliminate the damp conditions that allow mold to thrive.

Here are some tips to prevent mold from recurring on shower curtains:

• Open bathroom window or run exhaust fan during and after showering
• Make sure bathroom has a functioning exhaust fan
• Use a moisture-wicking or antimicrobial shower curtain liner
• Frequently wash the shower curtain in hot water and bleach
• Spray shower walls with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar after use
• Squeegee shower walls and tub after each use
• Leave bathroom door open to allow ventilation

Following these moisture control tips will go a long way in preventing mold from returning to cleaned shower curtains.

When to replace a shower curtain due to mold?

If the below conditions apply, it’s time to replace a moldy shower curtain:

• Mold is covering large areas of the curtain
• Mold is growing on both sides of the curtain
• Musty, mildew odor persists after washing
• Visible mold remains after repeated cleaning attempts
• Curtain fabric is degraded or distorted from mold damage
• Mold is not just surface mold but has permeated the curtain

Extensive mold contamination that resists removal indicates the curtain material is too far damaged and needs replacing. Mold can degrade curtain fibers and materials over time.

Seek out mold-resistant shower curtains when replacing, along with practicing moisture prevention habits.

Mold-resistant shower curtains?

Special shower curtains are available with properties that resist mold growth:

Antimicrobial

Antimicrobial shower curtains contain added chemicals like triclosan that inhibit mold, mildew and bacterial growth. Silver ions can also provide antimicrobial properties.

Moisture-wicking

Moisture-wicking shower curtains have a special liner coating that prevents water from clinging to the surface. This starves mold spores of needed moisture.

PVC vinyl

PVC vinyl shower curtains resist moisture buildup. Look for vinyl curtains without phthalate plasticizers, which can encourage mildew.

Polyester

Polyester fabric repels moisture better than natural fibers like cotton. Polyester shower curtains resist absorbing moisture.

Best cleaners for shower curtains

The most effective cleaners for scrubbing mold and mildew from shower curtains include:

Cleaner	Why It Works
Bleach	Kills mold, sanitizes, whitens
Baking soda	Cleans, deodorizes, scrubs
White vinegar	Disinfects, breaks down residues
Borax	Removes tough mold stains
Hydrogen peroxide	Oxidizes and kills mold

For best results, use a combination of these cleaners. Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar to scrub away mold, then follow up with a bleach soak to sanitize and a hydrogen peroxide rinse to finish off mold removal.

Can you put a shower curtain in the washing machine?

If your shower curtain is machine washable, you can launder it in the washing machine to remove mold and mildew. Check the curtain’s care label – materials like polyester, nylon and vinyl often allow machine washing.

When machine washing a shower curtain:

• Use hot water and the longest, hottest wash cycle
• Add 1/2 to 1 cup of bleach
• Use a mild detergent without dyes or fabric softener
• Add white vinegar in the rinse cycle
• Tumble dry on low or hang to dry completely

The agitation of a washing machine helps scrub off mold, while hot water and bleach sanitize. Make sure to run an extra rinse cycle to remove all bleach residue.

How to hand wash a shower curtain

For non-machine washable curtains, hand washing is your option. Here’s how:

1. Fill a bathtub with hot water and add 1/2 to 1 cup bleach.
2. Submerge the shower curtain and let soak for 30 minutes, swishing occasionally.
3. Drain the tub and refill with clean hot water.
4. Add white vinegar to the rinse water.
5. Rinse curtain thoroughly until water runs clear.
6. Roll up curtain and press to squeeze out excess moisture.
7. Hang over shower rod or lay flat to finish air drying.

Scrub heavily stained areas with a brush during the soak. The bleach soak and vinegar rinse help kill mold, sanitize and deodorize the shower curtain.

Tips for preventing mold on shower curtains

Preventing mold growth on shower curtains is easier than removing it. Here are some useful tips:

• Open windows or run exhaust fan during and after showers
• Use a moisture-wicking vinyl or polyester liner
• Spray shower walls with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide after use
• Squeegee walls and tub after showering
• Aim showerhead away from curtain when first turning on
• Fully push curtain inside tub when showering
• Wash curtain every 2 weeks in hot water and bleach
• Replace plastic liner every 3-6 months

Doing these simple moisture prevention steps makes a big difference in keeping shower curtains mold-free. An occasional bleach scrub also maintains a fresh, clean curtain.

Conclusion

Moldy shower curtains can be refreshed and sanitized with some elbow grease and cleaning products. For minor mold, home remedies like vinegar, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide often do the trick. Severe mold requires the sanitizing power of bleach.

Completely drying shower curtains after washing prevents the return of mold. Paying attention to bathroom moisture and ventilation is also key. With effort and moisture control, you can wash away mold from shower curtains. But those with unsalvageable mold damage will need a replacement.