Cleaning expert Matthew Harrison at PriceYourJob.co.uk has over 20 years of experience working in the cleaning industry.
He understands mould will likely grow in humid and wet environments, such as bathrooms.
Mould, however, should not be allowed to continually grow anywhere – including on the shower curtain.
Most mould that develops on shower curtains is mildew, but the fungus can release toxic spores that impact a person’s health.
Prolonged exposure to mould spores can lead to coughing, congestion, and headaches.
Matthew recommended one simple tip to reduce the likelihood of mould developing on the shower curtain.
He said: “The plastic liner of your shower curtain should always be kept inside your bathtub, whilst the fabric (if your curtain has any) should be kept outside.
“This will prevent moisture from getting trapped between the two and also allow them to dry more quickly – both being crucial factors for mould prevention.”
How to wash shower curtains
Depending on the shower curtains you have, washing them regularly is key to preventing the buildup of mould.
Fabric curtains are safe to put in the washing machine, but they would benefit from being washed in the drum with “one cup of vinegar”—white vinegar, to be precise.
The plastic liner is best washed separately with bath towels on a “delicate, cold-water cycle” with a “cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar” during the rinse cycle.
The fabric curtain and plastic liner must be air-dried, while the rods and rings holding the shower curtain up can be wiped clean with an all-purpose cleaner.
Matthew also advised “spraying down the plastic liner of your shower curtain weekly” to prevent mildew.
He advised: “Simply spray it with either a store-bought bathroom cleaner or a solution of equal parts warm water and distilled white vinegar. “
Controlling the humidity in the bathroom will also help, which means good ventilation is key.
Matthew said: “Make sure that the area is well-ventilated by leaving the door open a crack and opening a window.
“Extractor fans and dehumidifiers are excellent appliances to consider purchasing to further combat this issue.”