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How to Wash a Shower Curtain in the Washing Machine

Ever looked at your grimy shower curtain and wondered if you can just toss it in the washer? Good news: you can. In fact, machine-washing a shower curtain is one of the easiest ways to banish mildew and soap scum. Both plastic/vinyl liners and fabric curtains can go in your washing machine with the right approach, saving you from scrubbing by hand. This friendly guide will walk you through how to clean each type safely, what washer settings and products to use, and how to keep that curtain mold-free going forward. Let’s get started so you can enjoy a fresher, cleaner bathroom (and reclaim a little extra time in your day).

Before you wash: prep the curtain. Start by taking the shower curtain off its rod and removing all the rings. (Pro tip: if the rings are grimy, soak them in a sink of hot water and a bit of detergent or vinegar while you wash the curtain.) Next, check the care label on your curtain. This step is important for any bathroom textile – just as you’d double-check what setting to wash bath mats or whether you can wash rugs in the washing machine, you should confirm if your shower curtain is machine-washable and note any specific instructions. Most standard plastic liners and washable fabric curtains are fine in the washer, but if the label says “hand wash only” or has special directions, you’ll want to follow that guidance (or use your machine’s delicate cycle, as we’ll cover below). Also, inspect for any stains or mildew patches; if it’s especially dirty, consider pre-treating those spots by scrubbing gently with a paste of baking soda and water or spritzing a vinegar solution on any mildewed areas before washing.

Washing a plastic or vinyl shower curtain

Plastic and vinyl shower curtains (including PEVA or PVC liners) can be cleaned in the washer as long as you use gentle settings. The key is to avoid high heat or harsh agitation, which can warp or tear the plastic. Here’s how to wash a plastic shower curtain in the machine for the best results:

Load the curtain with some towels: Place your plastic shower curtain or liner into the washing machine along with one or two bath towels. The towels act as scrubbers during the wash cycle, helping to remove soap scum and dirt from the curtain while also balancing the load. Choose white or light-colored towels, especially if you’re using bleach (to avoid color run).
Add gentle detergent (plus vinegar or baking soda): Use your regular laundry detergent, but only a small amount (about 1/4 cup or less for a full-size washer). Too much soap can create excess suds and make it harder to rinse off the liner. For extra cleaning power, you have a couple of options: add 1/2 cup of baking soda along with the detergent to help scrub away residue, or pour 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar into the machine during the rinse cycle to help kill mildew and odors. **Do not use bleach and vinegar together** in the same load, as that combination creates a toxic gas. If your liner is very mildewed and is plain white or clear, you could use 1/2 cup of bleach in place of detergent (never mix bleach with any other cleaner). Always double-check the care label before using bleach, and avoid it on colored plastic as it could discolor.
Select a gentle cycle with warm or cool water: Set your washer to the delicate cycle (or if your machine offers it, the “hand wash” cycle) with the water temperature on warm or cold. Avoid hot water for plastic curtains – heat can cause vinyl to distort or the liner’s magnets (if it has any) to come loose. A warm wash helps loosen grime, but cool water is safest if you’re unsure. Many washing machines default to a slow spin on delicate, but if yours allows customization, choose a low spin speed or even stop the machine before the spin cycle. Minimizing spin will prevent the plastic curtain from twisting or tearing.
Skip the dryer – hang it up to air dry: Once the wash cycle is complete, remove the plastic curtain promptly. Support its weight as you take it out (a wet liner can be heavy). Give it a gentle shake to unfurl it, then re-hang the curtain on the rod while it’s still damp. Make sure it’s spread out across the rod to dry evenly. Never put a vinyl or plastic shower curtain in a dryer, not even on low heat – it could melt or warp. Air drying will only take an hour or two. As it hangs, the wrinkles will fall out and it will look as good as new.

Cleaning a plastic liner this way every month or two will keep mildew at bay and extend its life. If the liner was especially dirty, you should see a big improvement. And if a few stubborn stains or orange mold spots didn’t come out, don’t be afraid to run it through a second cycle or move on to the tips below for preventing those from coming back.

Washing a fabric shower curtain

Fabric shower curtains (common materials include cotton, polyester, or nylon) are usually machine-washable as well – often just as easy to clean as a load of regular laundry. Washing a fabric curtain in your machine is a lot like washing a set of sheets or towels. (If you’re not sure what washer setting for sheets typically works best, it’s usually a normal cycle with warm water, which applies here too.) Here are some pointers for laundering a fabric shower curtain:

Use the right cycle and water temperature: Most fabric curtains can handle a normal cycle. If the curtain is a delicate decorative fabric or has embellishments, opt for the gentle cycle to be safe. Otherwise, a standard wash cycle works well for sturdy fabrics like polyester or cotton. Choose warm water for the wash temperature in most cases – it’s effective at removing soap residue and any mildew without causing excessive shrinkage. A warm wash is generally better than cold for fabrics that can tolerate it, since heat helps kill bacteria. (For example, if you have a white cotton curtain starting to mildew, washing it warm or even hot can help sanitize it. It’s similar to the common question of whether to wash whites in hot or cold: hot water cleans well and kills germs, but you must be sure the material won’t shrink or fade. When in doubt, stick with warm.)
Add detergent and boosters if needed: Use a mild laundry detergent, about the same amount you’d use for a half-load of clothes. Avoid heavy fabric softeners or any harsh chemicals that aren’t needed – a standard detergent will do the job. If your fabric curtain is musty or has soap scum, you can pour a cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser or directly during the rinse cycle as a natural fabric-safe cleaner and deodorizer. For a badly stained white fabric curtain, you might add a little non-chlorine bleach or oxy-powered whitening detergent. (Chlorine bleach can be used on pure white cotton curtains to remove mold stains, but be cautious: only use bleach if the care tag allows it, and never on colored fabrics. Always dilute bleach per the product instructions.) Baking soda (1/2 cup added to the wash) is another gentle booster that can help with odors and grime on fabric. These are optional – for routine washes, detergent alone is fine.
Include towels to balance the load: Just as with plastic liners, tossing in one or two clean bath towels can be helpful when washing a lone fabric shower curtain. The towels provide extra scrubbing action and keep the washer drum balanced, especially if the curtain is a heavy cloth. This trick isn’t strictly necessary for fabric, but it can improve cleaning for mildewy spots and prevent the curtain from bunching up tightly during the spin cycle.
Air dry (or tumble dry low if allowed): After the wash cycle, it’s best to hang your fabric curtain back up on the rod to drip dry. Most fabric shower curtains will dry fairly quickly when spread out. This avoids any risk of shrinkage that a hot dryer might cause. Check the curtain’s label – if it specifically says it’s dryer-safe, you can tumble dry on low heat for a short time (often 10-15 minutes) to get most of the moisture out, then hang it while still slightly damp to let wrinkles fall out. But generally, air drying is the safest method to maintain the curtain’s size and shape. As a bonus, you’re already in the bathroom, so just hang it up and let it do its thing!

Once your fabric curtain is dry, inspect it for any remaining stains. Fabric curtains often come out bright and refreshed. If a bit of discoloration or mold stain remains, you might treat that spot with a stain remover or a second wash with a bit of bleach (if appropriate for the material). But usually, a good warm wash will have your curtain looking (and smelling) vastly better.

When to use a delicate or hand-wash cycle

How do you know whether to use the washer’s delicate (or “hand wash”) cycle versus a regular cycle? As a rule of thumb, opt for the gentler cycle if your shower curtain is made of a delicate material, has a decorative design, or if it’s a plastic/vinyl liner. A delicate or hand-wash cycle uses slower spin speeds and gentler agitation, which is ideal for protecting plastic curtains or any fabric that might snag or stretch. On the other hand, if you have a sturdy fabric curtain (say a thick cotton or polyester blend) that’s labeled machine-washable, a normal cycle can provide a deeper clean and is perfectly fine to use. We always recommend erring on the side of caution: when in doubt, start with delicate. It’s easy to underestimate how rough a regular wash can be on items like shower curtains. If the gentle cycle doesn’t get it fully clean, you can always run a second cycle or bump up to normal next time. And remember, some washing machines even have a specific washing machine with hand wash cycle setting – that’s essentially an extra-gentle option you can use for curtains, knit sweaters, or anything you’d normally hand wash.

One more tip: if your curtain truly is “hand wash only” (for example, an older plastic liner that you fear could tear, or a luxury fabric with lining), you might actually want to wash it by hand instead of using the machine. In a pinch, washing a shower curtain by hand can be done in a bathtub: fill the tub with warm water and a bit of laundry detergent (and maybe a cup of vinegar or baking soda), let the curtain soak for 10-15 minutes, then scrub it lightly with a soft cloth or sponge before rinsing and hanging to dry. It’s more effort, but it’s gentle and effective for very delicate items. However, for most everyday shower curtains, the washing machine does a great job – just use the right cycle as noted above.

Preventing mildew and soap scum buildup

Naturally, the best way to deal with a mildewy shower curtain is to prevent it from getting that way in the first place. A few simple habits can keep mold and soap scum from taking over your curtain:

Let it air out after each shower: One of the easiest prevention tips is to always leave your shower curtain spread open (across the length of the tub) after you shower, rather than bunched up on one side. When the curtain is closed most of the way, water can drip off and it can dry faster. If it’s scrunched up, the folds stay wet longer and create a perfect home for mildew. Also, run the bathroom exhaust fan or open a window during and after your shower to vent out humidity. A dry bathroom is an unfriendly environment for mold.
Spray the curtain with a daily cleaner: Consider keeping a spray bottle of a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution in your bathroom. After a shower, give the curtain liner a quick misting with this solution (especially along the lower part that tends to get soap splashes). Cleaning experts swear by a daily vinegar spray as an easy way to break down soap scum and prevent mildew from taking hold. Don’t worry, the vinegar smell disappears quickly as it dries. There are also commercial “daily shower” spray products you can use; the key is just to create a protective routine that keeps grime from building up. After spraying, you can either leave the solution on (it will dry on its own) or rinse the curtain down with the showerhead.
Wash the curtain regularly: Even with good daily habits, plan to wash your shower curtain periodically. How often is “regularly”? That depends on how busy your bathroom is. Many cleaning pros recommend a thorough cleaning about once a month for a shower liner that gets heavy use. In a smaller household or guest bathroom, every three months or so may suffice. The idea is to not let visible soap scum or mold go unchecked for too long. Regular laundering keeps the curtain fresh and significantly reduces the chance of serious mildew stains. (For reference, some experts say washing your shower curtain once a month is ideal in humid environments.) Mark your calendar or set a reminder if that helps – tossing the curtain in with a load of towels can make it an easy part of your cleaning routine.
Keep the bathroom clean and dry: Since shower curtain gunk often comes from soap and shampoo residue, make sure you’re also cleaning the tub or shower walls regularly. A clean tub means less grime transferring onto the curtain in the first place. After showering, you can even wipe down the bottom edge of the curtain with your towel if you notice suds clinging there. And if you spot a bit of mold starting on the curtain or the shower tile, address it sooner rather than later – a quick wipe with vinegar or a diluted bleach solution on a trouble spot can save you a full curtain wash. Finally, ensure your bathroom isn’t staying damp for hours on end. Use that vent fan, or prop the door open after showers. The drier you keep the surroundings, the less mildew will grow.
Consider professional deep cleaning: If you’re fighting persistent odors or mildew that just won’t quit, it might be time for a deeper solution. For instance, our team at Spincycle offers an ozone-sanitized cleaning process that can eliminate bacteria and odors from fabrics in a way regular washing can’t. While a shower curtain can often be cleaned at home, extremely stubborn mildew in fabric curtains might respond well to an ozone treatment or other professional cleaning methods. This is an optional step, but if you’re truly clean-obsessed and want that extra peace of mind, a professional deep clean can ensure your curtain (and other linens) are absolutely sanitized.

When to replace the shower curtain instead of washing

There may come a point when cleaning your shower curtain is more trouble than it’s worth. How do you know when it’s time to replace rather than wash? Here are a few guidelines:

If your plastic liner is very inexpensive and has already served its time (for example, it’s heavily stained with mold that won’t scrub off, or it’s starting to crack or tear at the edges), replacement might be the more practical choice. Plastic shower curtain liners are generally affordable, and while washing them extends their life, they won’t last forever. Many people choose to replace a vinyl liner every 6 to 12 months or so, especially if it’s showing wear. It’s also more sustainable to wash and reuse a liner a few times before replacing, but once it’s really past its prime, getting a new one will instantly refresh your shower.

For fabric shower curtains, consider replacement if the curtain has permanent discoloration, deep-set mildew stains, or fabric damage (like fraying or holes) that even a good wash can’t fix. High-quality fabric curtains can last for years if cared for, but cheaper fabric ones might fade or thin out over time. If you’ve tried washing and the curtain still looks dingy or gives off a musty odor, it may be time to treat yourself to a new one. Sometimes the cost in time, effort, and cleaning products to salvage an old curtain isn’t worth it compared to the cost of a basic replacement. That said, always balance this with the environmental perspective: tossing a curtain into the landfill when it could be cleaned one more time isn’t ideal. But your health and having a clean bathroom environment come first. If a curtain is truly moldy and potentially affecting your bathroom air quality, don’t feel bad about replacing it.

One tip: if you do replace a shower curtain or liner, keep the new one clean from the start by using the prevention steps above. It will last much longer. And if you find you’re replacing liners frequently due to heavy mildew, you might want to look at improving ventilation in the bathroom or cleaning more often to break the cycle.

In some cases, you might even decide that dealing with the shower curtain is a task you’d rather hand off. We get it – everyone has that one chore they can’t stand. If laundry tasks like these are eating into your free time, remember that we’re here to help. You can always include items like towels, bath mats, or even a fabric shower curtain with your other laundry when you use our wash & fold service. We’ll handle the dirt and grime for you. Better yet, if you’re in Chicago, you can schedule a pickup & delivery and let our team pick up your laundry right from your door. We’ll return everything clean, fresh, and ready to use, whether it’s everyday clothes or the linens and extras you’d rather not wash yourself. Our goal is to help you save time and keep your home fresh – one less load at a time.

Bottom line: Washing a shower curtain in the washing machine is quick, convenient, and effective. With a gentle cycle, the right detergent, and a little air-drying, you can make that soap-scummed curtain look nearly new again. Keep up with simple maintenance to prevent mildew, and you won’t have to deep clean (or replace) your curtain very often. It’s a small effort that makes a big difference in how your bathroom looks and feels. And when you step into your shower to find a spotless curtain, you’ll be glad you gave it a spin in the washer. Happy cleaning!