Do you change your shower curtains so often that it has become part of your monthly expenses? We'll show you how to clean them using home remedies to keep them looking like new.
Although some accessories are considered simple decorative items, they are actually a major source of pollution if not properly taken care of. In this article, we will share some tricks on how to clean your bathroom curtains and prevent the spread of fungi and bacteria.
The bathroom is a place where the humid and warm microclimate is conducive to the growth of microorganisms that can harm our health. Bathroom curtains are the most susceptible to stains, but we often don’t pay much attention to this.
Tips for Effectively Cleaning Bathroom Curtains
The convenience is that you do not have to buy expensive disinfectants. Most of the methods we suggest will require only those ingredients that you probably have at home.
Alcohol
Alcohol is an effective disinfectant. To clean curtains, dampen a sponge or cloth with it and rub the curtain in a circular motion. Focus on the areas that are most affected by mold. There is no need to rinse off because the alcohol will evaporate on its own.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent due to its high acetic acid content. It is not able to disinfect the surface, but it easily removes dirt and grease that accumulate on curtains when in contact with soap, shampoos and conditioners.
Take a large container, fill it with water, pour in 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and place the curtain there. Leave for 20 minutes. After that, just rinse it, and that’s it – the curtain will look like new.
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Toothpaste
Now you will learn about an alternative way to use toothpaste that will probably surprise you. To clean your shower curtains, wet a sponge and apply a generous amount of toothpaste to it. Rub it on stains, rinse, and your curtains will be cleaner than ever.
Toothpaste can be used for other purposes than its intended purpose. Try cleaning your shower curtain with it and it will shine like new.
Baking soda
The secret is simple: soak the curtains in a container of water and baking soda and leave for a few minutes. If you want, you can wash the curtains in the washing machine with baking soda.
Tea tree oil solution
To make this cleaning solution, you will need 1 cup of water, ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil, and a spray bottle. Mix the ingredients in a bottle and spray on the curtain . Then wipe with a sponge and rinse.
Causes of mold
Mold intervention is inevitable if the room:
- poorly ventilated;
- there is no natural light;
- Condensation forms on pipes and wall decoration;
- pipes leak at joints;
- it doesn't heat well.
Even one of these factors creates favorable conditions for its replication. Before it has time to spread to other rooms, urgent measures need to be taken. We talked in more detail about the danger of a person living with black mold here.
And mold spores can get inside through a window, caught in a draft, they penetrate through the front door. They can be brought on shoes and outerwear, and there are other ways. Well, the bathroom is the most fertile area for fungus.
If you do not immediately remove the water from the tiles after bathing, an environment favorable for mold will appear. In just 24 hours, its colony can increase 9 times
Cleaning curtains in the bathroom: step-by-step instructions
If you prefer to hand wash your bathroom curtains, we recommend that you follow these steps to make the process as easy as possible:
- Remove the rings to avoid damaging the curtain fabric.
- Submerge the curtain in a large container of water and liquid soap . Instead of soap, you can use coarse salt.
- Soak for at least 2 hours.
- Use a sponge to remove the most stubborn mold stains . If they don't come off, try sprinkling some baking soda on the sponge.
- Rinse the curtains to remove soap. If desired, you can add a little vinegar to the final rinse to remove odors.
- Let them dry in a well-ventilated area.
If you decide to wash your bathroom curtains in the washing machine, then use these tips:
- Make sure the curtains are machine washable. The water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees.
- Add baking soda to regular powder.
- Remember to place the towels with the curtains (so they don't get damaged during the washing process) and cancel the spin cycle.
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Determine what material the curtains are made of
Not every curtain can be washed without being ruined.
- Polyethylene . These curtains do not withstand cleaning well, they cannot be washed in a machine, and various detergents can easily discolor or destroy the print. Therefore, it is better not to wash heavily soiled plastic curtains, but to replace them with new ones.
- Vinyl (polyvinyl chloride). It is better to clean such curtains by hand - creases easily appear on the vinyl after washing. To avoid mistakes, you should check the label. If the manufacturer allows automatic washing, everything is fine. But if it is prohibited or the label has not been preserved, it is not worth the risk.
- Polyester. Fabric curtains are the most unpretentious. They can be machine washed, hand washed, or deal with individual stains.
It is also important to look at what the sewn-in rings that secure the curtain to the cornice are made of.
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If they are metal, they should not stay in water for long. So when soaking, make sure that the rings do not get wet. It is better not to machine wash curtains with metal elements.
How to keep bathroom curtains clean?
When your curtains are clean again, follow these rules to keep them looking neat and fresh for as long as possible:
- Rinse them after every bath or shower to prevent soap from getting on your curtains. Also straighten them well so that there are no wrinkles on them.
- Ventilate the bathroom after showering : open windows and doors to ensure good air circulation.
- Wash them regularly, as old stains will be more difficult to remove.
Adding baking soda when washing by hand or machine will help keep your shower curtains perfectly clean.
Drying
The shower curtain is designed for constant contact with water. This does not harm the material. Proper drying includes observing the following rules:
prohibition on twisting and squeezing;- The best way to avoid wrinkles is to immediately hang the item vertically after washing to allow the water to drain;
- if possible, after washing it is recommended to hang the curtain in a permanent place above the bathtub;
- You should not try to speed up drying using heating devices, much less an open fire;
- You should not hang a wet curtain in a place where it will be exposed to direct sunlight.
Other ways to wash shower curtains
Above we looked at general methods for washing bathroom curtains. However, here are some more tips on how to keep them clean:
- Removing Mold : If your curtain is clean but has stubborn mildew stains, try scrubbing it with a lemon wedge. You can also mix 3 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda and spray on the stain, then scrub with a brush.
- Bleaching the curtain: Immerse the curtain in water with a special shower curtain solution. If they are white, you can add a little bleach.
How to use the “Whiteness” product
Light curtains are difficult to wash from stains, since the slightest stains and stains are visible on white things. In this case, use the “Whiteness” product, which helps solve several problems:
- Maintain a fresh and neat appearance. To do this, fill a bowl with cool water and add 2 tbsp. l. cleaning agent. The curtain is soaked for 20 minutes and then rinsed. If necessary, it can be washed by hand or in a machine.
- Remove stains, grayness and yellowness. 2 large spoons of “Whiteness” are added to 10 liters of water, after which the curtain is soaked for 1 hour.
- Bleaching even thick fabric. “Whiteness” is applied to problem areas of the curtain, but should not be left on for more than 1 minute. Next, the item is soaked and washed.
Attention! Frequent use of chlorine-containing bleaches is dangerous for the product, as there is a risk of damage to the fibers. It is recommended to replace aggressive chemicals with safer products. However, they usually have another drawback - high price.
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Final Tips for Cleaning Bathroom Curtains
To prevent washing your shower curtains from taking up too much of your time, try to keep them clean. If you rinse them daily, then when it's time for deep cleaning, you'll just need to throw them in the washing machine without any pre-treatment.
Be sure to test these products on an inconspicuous part of the curtain to make sure it will not damage it. Read the label to avoid exposing them to non-recommended cleaning methods. We hope that our tips will help you and your curtains will always look like new, without mold, bacteria and fungi!
Source: steptohealth.ru
Prevention
Like many problems, mold can be prevented. Following a few simple rules will help you avoid the hassle of mold stains on fabrics.
To do this you need:
- Regularly ventilate the room and cabinets. Fresh air will not only help prevent mold, but also have a positive effect on your health.
- Do not put dirty and clean clothes together. It is advisable to immediately send dirty items to the wash. The risk of mold growing on unwashed items is higher.
- Do not place cabinets and chests of drawers close to the walls. This is especially true for corner rooms.
- Do not rush to put clothes in the closet after ironing. Condensation generated during ironing also represents moisture. It is advisable to wait another 15-20 minutes until the item dries.
- Use moisture-absorbing products. Special bags that absorb moisture will never be superfluous and do not take up much space in cabinets.
Removing stains
There are several very effective ways to combat plaque and rust. For example, you can use a mixture of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide in a ratio of 3 to 1. Apply the product to the stains and rub them with a washcloth, then wash the curtain by hand or in the machine.
It is also not prohibited to use household chemicals Adrilan or Sanita. These compositions are used according to the following scheme:
- Apply a small amount of solution to the stain.
- Hold for a few minutes.
- Rinse with running water and wipe the stain with a dry sponge.
How to remove mold from fabric - the simplest and most effective methods
The problem of how to remove mold from fabric can cause trouble for anyone. Fungi that have spread on clothing emit an unpleasant odor, pollute and destroy the material, and have a bad effect on people’s well-being. If you do not resolve this issue in a timely manner, even an expensive stain remover will not help, things will fade and disappear.
Bamboo blinds - what to do
Bamboo is not afraid of dampness. However, sudden changes in humidity can lead to cracking of the reeds. Dust and accumulated dirt can be removed using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush. Traces of insects are wiped off with a damp cloth soaked in any suitable product for caring for wooden furniture.
Sometimes there are tips to rinse bamboo with a stream of water. Because the stems swell from moisture, the tie cords may become loose after the curtain dries. Therefore, it is better to refrain from showering and bathing bamboo and limit yourself to wet wiping.
