Quickly Clean Your Filthy Shower Curtain Liner Using One Unexpected Item
Cleaning the bathroom can often be a lesson in patience and perseverance. Since it houses water and is subject to high amounts of humidity (not to mention unpleasant odors), it is one room that requires a lot of attention. A recurring issue is the shower curtain liner, which can get funky fast. However, there is a way to get rid of the grime on your shower curtain in a snap by using a magic eraser.
A magic eraser is aptly named because that is just how it feels when it tackles stubborn stains. Though it's often used for flat surfaces such as walls and floors, it also works on jewelry, car rims, plastic storage containers, and grout. Part of the magic that makes a magic eraser work is that they are made with melamine foam, which houses countless tiny pores to form a micro-abrasive material. When wet, these pores trap and lift dirt and grime, leaving behind a cleaner surface. Luckily for dirty shower curtain liners, the mild abrasiveness can also remove mildew in a pinch.
How to use a magic eraser on a shower curtain
When dealing with potential mold and mildew, it's always a good idea to first put on a pair of plastic gloves to protect your skin. Then remove the shower curtain from the rod so it will be easier to clean on both sides. You can lay it down flat along the floor of the tub or shower to help get a better hold as you clean and reach all the areas with grime.
Next, wet the magic eraser with clean water. Try not to soak it and just dampen it enough until it feels a bit spongy. Then, gently but firmly scrub the shower curtain liner with the magic eraser. Focus on areas with the most concentrated grime, like the bottom hem, where soap scum tends to gather. While cleaning, continue to rinse the magic eraser and the shower curtain liner with clean water to remove loosened grime and prevent the eraser residue from gathering on the surface.
When to replace a shower curtain liner
Despite employing the best tips to make cleaning your bathroom easier, a shower curtain liner endures a lot daily. Soap scum, mildew, and hard water stains can build up, making it grimy and leaving you wondering how long you should keep it. In general, you should aim to replace your liner every 6 months to a year. Of course, this timeframe can vary depending on how often you shower, the ventilation in your bathroom, and the liner's material. Look for indicators that it's time to say goodbye in the form of recurrent and relentless mildew growth, unpleasant odors, or tears.
Cleaning your liner every month or so with a magic eraser or another cleaning method can extend your liner's life. Additionally, promote air circulation after showering to prevent moisture build-up by opening a window or turning on the bathroom fan to curb mildew growth. After each shower, using a squeegee to remove excess water droplets from the shower curtain liner will help prevent soap scum formation and also discourage mildew growth.
To read more, see if cloth or plastic makes the better shower curtain liner.