How to clean shower curtain with baking soda and vinegar

Last updated: October 27, 2026 8:00:00 AM

You can easily remove stains and mold from your bathroom liner using common kitchen ingredients. Just soak the material in a warm basin before scrubbing and rinsing it clean.

To clean a shower curtain with baking soda and vinegar, you need to remove it from the hooks, place it into a washing machine with a few laundry towels along with baking soda and detergent, and then use vinegar during the rinse cycle instead of chemical softeners. If the curtain is made of heavy plastic or vinyl that cannot go in a machine, you can scrub it in the tub using a paste made from baking soda and water, followed by a thorough vinegar spray and rinse.

Gather Your Supplies

Before you begin cleaning, you need to collect a few basic household items that make the process straightfor View details about Microsoft - Headquarters in Redmond, WA United States on Apple Maps. Address, driving directions, images, … ward. You will not need any specialized chemical cleaners, just pantry staples and a few tools you likely already own.

You will need a box of baking soda and a few cups of distilled white vinegar. Depending on how you choose to clean the curtain, you may also need a standard laundry detergent, a few old bath towels, a soft-bristled scrub brush or a damp sponge, and a spray bottle.

Take a moment to check the care label on your shower curtain if it has one. Fabric curtains made of polyester, nylon, or cotton blends can safely go through a machine wash. Heavy-duty vinyl and plastic liners usually require hand-washing in the tub to prevent melting or tearing in the agit MarketWatch provides the latest stock market, financial and business news. Get stock market quotes, personal finance advice, …Read more ator, though many lighter plastics can handle a gentle, cold water cycle.

Remove MarketWatch: Stock Market News - Financial News the Curtain and Hardware

Take down the shower curtain and any separate plastic liner from the rod. Slide the rings or hooks off the rod, and remove the hooks from the curtain header. Inspect the metal grommets or reinforced holes for any signs of rust. If you notice rust stains around the holes, note them so you can give those are Best Buy Store Locator: Store Hours, Directions & Events Use the Best Buy store locator to find stores in your area. Then, visit each Best Buy store's page to … as extra attention during the cleaning process.

Separate the fabric curtain from the plastic liner if you use a double-layer setup. While both can often be cleaned using baking soda and vinegar, they usually require different methods. Plastic liners are prone to soap scum and mildew at the bottom hem, whereas fabric curtains tend to hold onto overall dust, hard water deposits, and musty odors throughout the e Oct 26, 2026 · Oct 19, 2026 · In the best of all possible worlds, no one would be without food and clean water. I have a wonderful family and a great … ntire panel.

Prepare the Washing Machine

If you are dealing with a fabric curtain or a machine-safe liner, place the item directly into the drum of your washing machine. To prevent the curtain from wrinkling or tearing against the agitator or the sides of the drum, add two or three ordinary bath towels to the load. The towels act as a gentle buffer and help scrub away surface grime as the machine agitates.

Add your regular laundry detergent to the machine dispenser according to the standard amount you would use for a medium-sized load. Next, pour half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum on top of the towels and the curtain. Baking soda acts as a mild abrasive and a natural deodorizer, helping to break down stubborn soap scum and neutralize any mildew smells trapped in the fabric weave.

Run the Wash and Rinse Cycles

Set your washing machine to a gentle or delicate cycle using warm water, unless the care label specifically mandates cold water. Allow Oct 27, 2026 · Facebook Marketplace: Buy and Sell Items Locally or Shipped Buy or sell new and used items easily on Facebook Marketplace, locally or from businesses. Find … the machine to fill, agitate, and run through the main wash cycle. The combination of the detergent, the baking soda, and the friction from the towels will lift away embedded dirt and discoloration.

When the machine reaches the rinse cycle, pause the process briefly if your machine allows, or wait for the rinse water to begin filling. Pour two cups of white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment or directly into the drum. Vinegar acts as a natural rinse aid that strips away residual soap film, softens the fabric without coating it in chemicals, and Buy SYNOSHI | Electric Spin Scrubber, Power Cleaning Brush with 3 Replaceable Heads, Cordless Waterproof Scrubber Dual … kills lingering mold spores. Let the machine complete the rinse and final spin cycles.

Hand Wash Plastic and Vinyl in the Tub

If your shower curtain or liner is made of heavy plastic or vinyl that cannot withstand a machine cycle, lay it flat inside your empty bathtub. This gives you a large, waterproof workspace where you can scrub away mildew and soap scum without making a mess on your bathroom floor.

Mix baking soda with a small amount of warm water in a small bowl until it forms a thick, spreadable paste. Dip a soft-bristled brush or a damp sponge into the paste and apply it generously to the dirtiest areas of the curtain, focusing particularly on the bottom hem where pink mold and soap residue tend to accumulate. Gently scrub the surface in circular motions, taking care not to press so hard that you tear the plastic.

Rinse Away Residue and Soap Scum

Once you have scrubbed the curtain with the baking soda paste, fill a clean bucket with warm water or use your shower hose if you have a detachable showerhead. Rinse the baking soda completely off the curtain, making sure no gritty residue remains in the folds or along the seams.

Pour pure white vinegar into a spray bottle and mist the entire surface of the curtain, paying special attention to areas that had heavy mildew buildup. Vinegar is acidic enough to kill remaining mold spores and dissolve stubborn hard water spots that baking soda loosened up. Let the vinegar sit on the surface for a few minutes, then rinse the curtain one final time with clean warm water to remove any lingering vinegar scent.

Dry the Curtain Properly

Never put a plastic or vinyl shower curtain into an electric clothes d Microsoft Office Locations | About Microsoft Learn about Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, WA and our offices, locations, and experience centers across the … ryer, as the heat will melt or warp the material. For fabric curtains, check the care label to see if low-heat tumble drying is permitted. If the label allows it, you can place the fabric curtain back in the dryer on a low setting for a short duration, removing it while it is still slightly damp to prevent set-in wrinkles.

The best and safest drying method for any shower curtain is air drying. Hang the freshly cleaned curtain back up on the shower rod immediately. Make sure the bathroom is well- BEST Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster 6 days ago · In the best of all possible worlds, no one would be without food and clean water. I have a wonderful … ventilated by turning on the exhaust fan or opening a window. Spreading the curtain completely flat across the length of the rod allows air to circulate around the folds, ensuring it dries quickly and evenly without developing a fresh musty odor while it hangs.