How to clean a shower curtain and liner

For a quick freshen-up, you may only need to clean the lower section where residue has collected. There is no need to turn it into a whole-bathroom chemical treatment.

Choose the right route

A fabric or polyester curtain may be machine washable. A plastic liner might allow hand cleaning, machine washing or neither. Material names alone do not settle it: IKEA's NÄCKTEN PEVA curtain specifically says not to wash, bleach or tumble dry it.

If the label is missing, find the product's care instructions before putting it in the washer. Do not use a hot cycle to find out what it can tolerate.

For a machine-washable curtain

Remove the hooks and rings. Check for tears around the hanging holes, then put the curtain in the machine using the cycle and temperature on its label. Add the appropriate amount of laundry detergent, not a collection of cleaning boosters.

Whirlpool's curtain guide describes gentle washing and, where the load permits it, adding a couple of towels. Keep the load within your washer's instructions. Rehang the curtain after washing. Do not put a plastic liner in a heated dryer.

For a liner that permits hand cleaning

Use a soft cloth, lukewarm water and a small amount of mild detergent suitable for the liner. Support the material with your other hand while gently wiping the affected section. Work into the bottom folds without pulling hard on the hanging holes.

Wipe away the detergent with clean water, repeating until no soap remains. Hang the liner open, rather than bunched at one end, and let both faces dry. IKEA's curtain-care guide distinguishes gentle plastic care from machine-washable fabrics and recommends hanging after cleaning.

When marks will not come off

A persistent mark is not a reason to keep adding stronger products. Check whether the liner allows a specific stain treatment. If it does not, or the material is tearing or deteriorating, replacement may be the more sensible next step.

Do not mix cleaners. A bathroom spray suitable for a hard surface is not automatically suitable for a liner, fabric trim or nearby fittings. This routine removes ordinary residue; it is not a mould-remediation method.

Check the hem when you do your next bathroom clean and deal with visible buildup before starting another wash cycle. For the surrounding surfaces, use our bathroom-cleaning guide.

Need help with the regular housework? See NearMe's cleaning checklist and recurring cleaning.