Plastic shower curtains are a no-brainer choice for your shower. They add a minimalistic and pristine look to any bathroom (besides fulfilling an obvious function). However, they aren't immune to dirt and mold; after some time, they will start to look muddy and tarnished.

You may have thought about throwing your plastic curtain in the washing machine, but that method does not get rid of tough spots, and it may damage your curtain. So, before you think you ran out of options, here's how to clean your shower curtain by hand.

Step #1. Pre-treat mold stains with vinegar

Mold is one of the main reasons for your nasty-looking curtains. They appear as dark green, black, or even pink spots, which can be tough to remove. To make things easier, let's address these stains before the main act.

While your curtain is still attached to the rod, spray the moldy areas generously with a mixture of equal parts vinegar (its acidity works great against mold) and warm water. Wait for ten minutes and then rinse well with a dampened cloth.

Note: Be sure to check the curtain thoroughly. While you can generally find mold at the edges and the lower part of your curtain, it doesn't hurt if you check it completely for more moldy spots.

Step #2. Soak your curtain

Pre-treating your curtain will help, but there's still plenty to do. First, carefully detach your plastic curtain from the rod (to prevent any damage) and place it in a container big enough to freely handle it, like a plastic tub or bathtub.

Once everything's ready, pour enough warm water into the container to submerge the curtain, and add about one tablespoon of laundry detergent. Then, put on a pair of gloves to knead and swirl the curtain until suds form, and let it soak for at least fifteen minutes.

Pro-tip: If your shower curtain is considerably dirty, add a tablespoon of bleach and gently rub the fabric before letting it soak.

Step #3. Clean the curtain rings

Besides dirt, mold can gather on shower curtain rings and quickly expand to your curtain if you don't act. So, take the rings down from the rod and put them in your bathroom sink. Then, clean them thoroughly while your curtain soaks.

To wash the rings, cover the drain, fill the sink with warm water, and add a cup of white vinegar. Let the rings soak for ten minutes, then drain the cleaning mixture. Finally, scrub the rings with a soft toothbrush, rinse them with warm water, and let them air dry outside the bathroom.

Step #4. Scrub the curtain

After waiting fifteen minutes for the curtain to soak, grab a kitchen sponge and use its rough side to scrub the curtain thoroughly. Focus on the dirtiest areas, like the hem, but still meticulously check the whole surface for dirt.

If the water gets too dirty, replace it, but it doesn't need to fully cover the curtain this time. Once you've removed the grime, pour the dirty remains down the drain and rinse the curtain with clean, warm water.

Pro tip: use a baking soda mixture for tough spots

You will need a more powerful cleaner to eliminate tough spots effectively. However, don't worry about buying any special product; you'll only need the power of baking soda!

Sprinkle a bit of baking soda on these spots before scrubbing. Alternatively, you can apply the baking soda directly to your kitchen sponge to tackle several challenging areas in a short time.

Step #5. Let your shower curtain air dry

Now that your curtain is finally clean, all that's left to do is hang it under the sun to dry. If this isn't possible, spread the curtain flat in any room other than the bathroom (we're trying to avoid humid places!).

After your plastic shower curtain completely dries from both sides, hang it in the shower rod again. Your bathroom should look better now!

Warning: Don't try to dry your plastic shower curtain in the dryer! It will leave it useless, and you could damage your appliance.

Can you clean your shower curtain without taking it down?

Yes, but not thoroughly. As you won't soak the curtain and won't be able to give it a good scrub easily, this method works better for localized spots or small areas. So, if you want to clean a specific area that got dirty (or you're short on time), here's how to do it:

1. Prepare a cleaning solution. Mix one part of water for every two parts of white vinegar in a spray bottle. The extra vinegar will make up for not being able to scrub the stain as hard as if you've detached the curtain.
2. Spray the dirty spots. Once ready, drench the grimy areas by spraying them and let the vinegar dissolve the dirt for at least ten minutes. Don't worry about the dripping; you can rinse it easily.
3. Remove the grime. Put on your gloves and grab a kitchen sponge to deal with the grime. While you support the backside of where the stain is with one hand, use your sponge to press and scrub the dirty spot until it disappears.
4. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Use warm water to rinse the grime from the area thoroughly. If you can use a detachable shower head to rinse, you will get better results thanks to the extra pressure. Last but not least, dry the now-clean spot with a towel to prevent any mold from growing.

Rain City Maids can keep your bathroom spotless!

Although cleaning your shower curtain helps a lot to make your bathroom look good, there are other tasks (cleaning mirrors, floors, and sink) necessary to keep your bathroom truly clean! If you don't have enough time, the best cleaners in the Seattle, WA, area will gladly help you!

You can trust Rain City Maids to tackle all your cleaning needs flawlessly. Whether it's the bathroom, kitchen, or other spots in your home, our team of certified professionals will leave it sparkling clean. Book now!