Are you washing your shower curtains as often as you should? Most people don’t, because they don’t know how to wash shower curtains. It may seem like shower curtains don’t need to be cleaned often because they are used in the shower, but they get dirtier than you might think. You should be cleaning your shower curtains at least once a week. If you are not sure how to wash shower curtains, here are some tips to help you figure out the best way to wash your shower curtains:

Shower liners: Shower curtain liners are usually plastic sheets, so all you need to wash those is a little detergent. Mix a little natural detergent, like Rockin' Green, with a little vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle and spray the curtain down. Pay particular attention to the bottom of the liner that sits in the tub because that is usually the area with the most germs. Wipe down with a sponge or use the shower nozzle to rinse the liner with hot water.

Plastic shower curtains: Plastic shower curtains can be washed the same way as shower curtain liners. They don’t need to be machine washed. A spray bottle with some natural detergent, vinegar and hot water will easily clean a plastic shower curtain with very little mess or fuss. It’s a smart idea to get in the habit of wiping down plastic shower curtains after each shower.

Cloth shower curtains: Cloth or fabric shower curtains can be machine washed to get them looking like new. Always use cold water to wash fabric shower curtains. Using hot water could destroy the fabric or make your shower curtain shrink. Always use a gentle natural detergent when you’re washing a shower curtain. Harsh soaps can cause the fabric to break down, tear, or fade. If you are worried about your shower curtain smelling bad, you can put a cup of white vinegar in the water too. That will get rid of any odor.

Air dry your shower curtain: Shower curtains should never be put into the dryer. The light fabric of a shower curtain will probably be almost dry when it comes out of the spin cycle in the washer. If you hang the shower curtain up immediately after taking it out of the washer, you won’t need to iron it. The wrinkles will fall out as the curtain dries. Hanging your shower curtain on a line in the backyard will give your whole bathroom a fresh outdoors scent.