How to wash a bathroom curtain in a washing machine to remove yellowness, mold and mildew

Each section of a residential building requires certain attention related to the specific use. Increased humidity in the bathroom will inevitably lead to the formation of mold and mildew if it is not cleaned regularly. The formation of mold causes asthma, allergies, decreased immunity and many other unpleasant diseases in people, which is why it is especially important to keep the restroom clean.

A regular bathroom curtain can be both a protection against the spread of excess moisture during bathing procedures and a source of mold growth. Constant interaction and waterproof texture leads to certain difficulties during washing. Do not resort to powerful, chemical cleaning products. You can learn how to wash a bathroom curtain efficiently and safely here.

Is it possible to wash a bath curtain in a washing machine?

First make sure whether the curtain can be machine washed. If the manufacturer does not recommend it, it is better to limit yourself to hand washing.

Choose a washing mode based on the material of the curtain fabric.

Polyethylene products cannot be machine washed. Even manual cleaning is likely to deform or tear them. If contamination occurs, it is better to remove it locally or replace the curtain with a new one.
PVC curtains have a high density and can withstand washing on a delicate cycle.
It is better to clean rubber products by hand. Machine washing will not tear them, but there is a risk of stretch marks.
Textile materials can withstand the impact of the machine normally.

Exactly how it is permissible to wash a bathroom curtain is indicated on the tag attached to the product.

The feasibility of using an automatic machine should also influence the choice of cleaning method.

To add freshness and get rid of odors, it is better to wash by hand.
Removing traces of rust will require some effort before washing.
An automatic machine will not cope with the complete removal of mold and mildew without the use of a special cleaning agent.

In other situations, you can wash the curtain in a machine.

Tips from the professionals

To ensure that the washing goes without any unpleasant surprises, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with useful tips from professionals. Knowing a few secrets and nuances, it is easy to speed up the cleaning process and reduce the risk of damage to the material to a minimum. We are talking about the following rules:

do not wash the curtain as an ordinary thing, do not rub the fabric against the fabric (otherwise the fibers will deteriorate and become deformed);
For cleaning the canvas, a foam sponge, an old toothbrush, or a soft cloth are suitable;
It is forbidden to iron the shower film - it cannot withstand high temperatures;
The curtain is dried in a vertical position naturally (without ultraviolet radiation or heating devices).

There is one more trick that will help keep your curtains clean longer. So, if you rinse the curtain in salted water for the final time, a film will form on the surface of the material, preventing dirt and dust from settling.

Partial cleaning and hand wash

Regardless of the material of the bath curtain, hand washing is preferable and, being more delicate, allows you to remove dirt locally.

Minor dirt and musty smells can be removed by simply rinsing in warm water and pre-soaking in a soap solution. Dissolve laundry soap shavings, washing powder or washing gel in warm water. After which the product is soaked for 30 minutes and rinsed in clean water.

When there is a need to wash the curtain to remove small stains that rinsing cannot remove, clean the curtain without removing it from its fastenings. This is also suitable for cleaning the shower stall.

Wet the curtain on both sides using a shower.
Soak a sponge in soapy water and apply it to the fabric on both sides.
Wash away any soap marks.

For direct hand washing:

Remove the curtain.
Sprinkle the powder slightly diluted with water onto the contaminated areas. Using a sponge or brush, thoroughly treat the contaminated areas with powder.
After grouting the stains, the product is soaked.
If the manufacturer allows the use of bleach, you can add a few caps of bleach to the soaking water (allowed only for white curtains).
After 30-40 minutes, rinse things in warm, clean water.
There is no need to rub the curtain, this will lead to creases and ruin the item.

Choice of funds

The selection of cleaning materials depends on the type of material from which the curtains are made.

Domestos

The main component of the gel is chlorine. The widespread use of the product is explained by its versatility: for any coating (with the exception of polyethylene, soft upholstery), against all types of stains. To clean the curtain, it is enough to use a concentration of 1 cap per 5 liters of water (up to 40 degrees).

Vanish

To wash textile curtains, a stain remover with oxygen bleach is suitable. It can be used to remove rust and soap marks.

Sanita

The purpose of the gel is to remove rust from metal, ceramic, and earthenware products. The active ingredient is oxalic acid. To remove rusty stains, use undiluted.

Comet

The product in the form of a gel can be used to remove rust, limescale stains, and also to disinfect against fungus. The composition of the cleaning product includes: chlorinol, formic, phosphoric acid.

Pemolux

To clean curtains from white stains, it is convenient to use a product in the form of Sea Breeze cream or Citrus liquid. The cleaning agent is based on soda.

Ace

Bleach contains chlorine. Used for hand washing and in an automatic machine, at a water temperature of no higher than 40 degrees.

Adrilan

The detergent comes with a spray nozzle, which makes cleaning the surface of the curtains easier. The manufacturer's instructions state that it is an effective rust remover. The active ingredients are fruit acids and anionic surfactants.

Machine washable

Washing a shower curtain in a washing machine is the most effective in removing surface dirt.

There are a number of recommendations on how to wash bathroom curtains:

Use only the “delicate wash” or “hand wash” modes.
The permissible temperature at which the curtain fabric is not damaged during washing should not exceed 40 degrees.
We do not use the spin mode. The structure of the curtain fabric does not absorb excess moisture; spinning will not bring any benefit.
Drying modes are prohibited. Drying, like spinning, is useless for curtains.
Adding a little vinegar to the drum before washing will help soften the water.
Before using a laundry detergent or gel, make sure it is suitable for the material you need to clean.
Be sure to remove all fasteners before washing. Otherwise there is a risk of tissue damage. If it is impossible to remove the fastenings, use a special washing bag.
To increase efficiency, it is better to wash the bathroom curtain together with terry towels. This will improve the quality of cleaning due to friction of the products against each other.

Removing rust stains

Recipe

You can wipe off fresh rust stains with a mixture of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide in a ratio of 3 to 1.

The solution is applied with a brush, left for 2-3 minutes, then scrubbed off. If the rust is not removed, then a cotton pad soaked in the solution is applied to the stain and left to act for 15 minutes. The curtain is then washed by hand.

Recipe

A teaspoon of acetic acid per glass of water, then heat the liquid without bringing to a boil, remove from heat and add a couple of drops of ammonia and half a teaspoon of soda.

The item affected by rust is dipped into the resulting mixture. If the destruction of the red spot does not occur the first time, the procedure is repeated.

To remove rust, chemical compositions of the well-known “Sanita” are used.

Treat the stain with the substance and leave for a few minutes, remove with a damp cloth. When removing chemical stains, it is recommended to use gloves.

How to clean a bathroom curtain

When choosing a product to clean your bathroom curtain, pay attention to the nature of the dirt.

The most effective cleaning agents:

Acidic foods. Concentrated citric acid or lemon juice will do.
Washing powders and cleaning gels from reputable manufacturers (Vanish, Ariel, Tide).
White items can be cleaned with baby laundry bleach.
Table vinegar. It is recommended to add the product at each wash to soften the water.
Stubborn stains can be softened by first covering them with baking soda and a little water.

Household chemicals

Products originally made for cleaning rooms with high humidity are better than others at helping to remove traces of mold and wash curtains in the bathroom. Most manufacturers indicate what type of material a particular product is suitable for.

Household chemicals used during cleaning must guarantee effectiveness in combating:

With traces of rust.
With the formation of mold.
With the formation of fungus.
Removing ingrained odor.
Care and color restoration of the material.

If there is no information about the purpose of the product on the label, use an analogue from another manufacturer.

From what's at hand

The means at hand can help housewives wash the curtain by hand or in a machine, without using strong chemicals.

Rust stains are removed by a mixture of ammonia (1/3) and hydrogen peroxide (2/3). Apply the mixture liberally to the stains, then wipe the surface with a sponge and rinse the item.
Rust and deposits from cosmetics can be removed by soaking the curtain in warm water with the addition of a solution of table vinegar and soda. Mix a teaspoon of vinegar with 250 ml. water. Heat the mixture to 40-50 degrees and add half a spoon of table soda.
Citric acid or lemon juice concentrate added during washing will help remove traces of limescale. It is necessary to add acid to water, rinse the curtain, then soak it in clean water.
Laundry soap or dishwashing detergent will help remove common stains.

Possible contamination

Dirty bathroom curtains do not look very attractive, especially if they are light colors. Any stains, traces of mold and rust are immediately noticeable and, moreover, can cause the development of allergies. The easiest option is to throw away the damaged product. But the cost of high-quality curtains now is not small and it is better to try to bring the curtain to its original form. First of all, you need to know what types of contaminants can appear on a piece of bathroom furniture:

yellowness and rust. Such defects usually appear at the bottom of the curtain due to constant contact with soapy water and foam;
whitish stains. Appear on the curtain if the water in the tap flows with a high content of calcium and magnesium salts, due to which it becomes hard. After the drops dry, white marks remain on the product;
fungus or mold. These living organisms reproduce where a warm and humid environment is present. The bathroom is just such a room. Fungi and traces of mold can often be seen on furniture, walls and curtains when there is no quality ventilation.

Fungus on a bathroom curtain - possible contamination
Of course, it is better to prevent such situations from occurring, but if this has already happened, you should know what control methods exist.

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.

Preventive measures

To ensure that the curtain always looks neat and well-groomed and does not pose a danger to your health, it is not enough just to wash it correctly.

Follow preventive measures that will “extend its life” and help avoid premature damage:

Ventilate the bathroom regularly. Especially after you've showered, turn on the hood or leave the room door open to circulate air and quickly reduce humidity.
After washing, rinse the curtain in a salty solution to create a protective layer that will prevent pathogenic microflora and various contaminants from appearing on it.
After taking a shower, throw the curtain over the bath so that it does not come into contact with its surface and dries faster. It is also advisable to immediately wipe it dry with a towel.
Use special protective equipment. Thus, a water-repellent spray will prevent the formation of limescale, and an antifungal spray will help prevent mold from forming on the material.

It is recommended to change your bathroom curtain every six months, even if you think it is still in good condition. Despite regular washing and compliance with all preventive measures, various bacteria and microbes accumulate in its structure, the proliferation of which will only negatively affect your health.

How to clean without removing?

In order for the curtain in the bathroom to retain its presentable appearance longer and serve for a long time, it must not only be washed periodically, but also regularly looked after between washes.

For this processing you will need:

spray bottle;
sponge;
detergent dissolved in water.

For processing, it is advisable to use a detergent in gel form.

Procedure:

Dilute detergent in water.
Pour it into a spray bottle.
Spray the cleaner over the surface of the curtain.
Wipe the material with a sponge.
Wash off the detergent composition using a sponge or rag.

Such treatment, without removing the curtain, will not replace a full wash, but will help maintain the hygiene of the curtain. And it will not allow the formation of difficult-to-remove contaminants.

Daily care rules

A polyethylene curtain lasts for a maximum of six months, then it is easier to change it than to try to wash it. But to extend the life of textile, polyester and vinyl products, regular maintenance is required. To prevent the bathroom from becoming a breeding ground for fungus, you must:

after each shower or bath, wipe the curtain with a towel or at least straighten the folds to dry freely;
regularly ventilate the room;
weekly use water-repellent agents and substances to destroy pathogenic flora (200 ml of water, 5 drops of pine essential oil, 50 ml of vinegar), placed in a spray bottle for spraying;
remove stains in a timely manner, refusing to use powerful chemicals and rough abrasives;
wash the product at least once a month.

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