A Mess Free Life may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
Have you ever stayed at a friend or relatives home only to wake up in the morning to hit the shower and be confronted with an onslaught of mold and mildew on the shower liner?
Most people I know clean their shower liner by removing it and throwing it away.
But that can be very costly if you’re replacing a shower liner ever month.
Here’s a real simple cleaning method that will save you time and money.
Table of Contents
Cleaning The Shower Liner
Types of Liners
For the purpose of this article, we’re going to look at three types of liners: fabric, heavy-duty vinyl, and lightweight plastic.
Light Weight Vinyl: Most households have a tendency to lean towards purchasing the cheaper, lightweight vinyl liner and opt to replace it frequently. This liner is poorly made and typically won’t last more than a few months before it’s falling off the hooks and covered in mold and mildew. Even though they’re cheaper, you end up spending more money replacing them every few months.
Fabric: These liners are typically made from nylon or polyester materials and can easily be taken down and washed in the washing machine to remove mold and mildew. If you decide to purchase this type of liner, look for reinforced holes or grommets to ensure the longest lasting use. The major drawback to the fabric liner is its light weight material, and it’s tendency not to stay in place resulting in water leakage from the shower.
Heavy Duty Vinyl: My personal favorite is the heavy-duty vinyl liner. This liner will cost you more but will last years if you treat it correctly. Most heavy-duty liners have reinforced holes or grommets ensuring their long life. This is the only liner I recommend because it will stick nicely to your shower walls and prevent water damage to your floor.
Read: Small and Simple Daily Tasks To Keep Your Bathroom Clean
Cleaning Your Shower
When it comes time to clean or replace your shower liner, that’s when I like to give my shower a real deep cleaning. This way you know the shower has been scrubbed top to bottom and everything put back into the shower has been properly cleaned and disinfected.
Here’s what to do:
1. Remove Everything: Remove everything from your shower. That includes the shower caddy or other shower containers, any kids toys, shower mats, suction cups holding mirrors or razors. Anything that is in the shower comes out.
2. Spray Surface: Spray your favorite shower cleaner on the entire surface of your shower. I use Method Shower Cleaner for my weekly cleaning, but for this deep clean, I’d use a product like Kaboom. Let the product work; don’t just start scrubbing. Let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Wash Shower Liner: While you’re letting the cleaning product work, now’s a good time to toss your shower liner into the washing machine. You’ll want to do this frequently or when mold and mildew become evident. Remove it from its hooks and wash in your washing machine with detergent and a touch of bleach on a normal cycle.
Read: Housekeeping Tips for The Domestically Challenged
4. Start Scrubbing: Now that the cleaning product has had time to work, now’s the time to grab your Mr. Clean Sponge and brush and clean that shower. Make sure you pay particular attention to the areas that have collected any mold and mildew. Use a scrub brush or old toothbrush to get into corners and seams and sides. Rinse with warm water. If you have mold stains still evident, spray with bleach products and scrub. Let it sit for 10 minutes to work. Rinse again with warm water.
5. Clean Shower Caddy: If you’ve got a shower caddy or other shower device that you’ll be putting back into the shower, this is the time to scrub it down and disinfect it. Spray it, let the product work and then clean with a sponge or scrub brush. Rinse and let it air dry or wipe with a cotton rag.
5. Replace Shower Liner and Curtain: Replace your clean liner and outer shower curtain back onto the hooks and rod. Close the curtain and allow it to air dry.
Read: 10 Tasks To A Clean and Clutter Free Morning
A major overhaul and cleaning of your shower should be done once every couple of months or 4 x a year. If you keep to that schedule, your shower liner will stay looking fresh and clean.
The most important thing to remember is don’t skimp on your liner. Spending a little more will save you money in the long run because you won’t need to replace it nearly as often as a cheaper shower line
