Skip The Bathtub Curtain: This Alternative Is So Much More Streamlined

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The lowly bathtub curtain isn't the prettiest item in your bathroom, but it does an important job and it's probably not something you thought you could part with. Unless you're in the market for a renovation or installation of a glass shower door, shower curtains are generally practical and they are certainly affordable. For a more streamlined solution, however, there's an alternative worth checking out: roll-up shower curtains offer sturdier performance, out-of-sight storage, and they can even make a small bathroom space seem bigger.

Roll-up shower curtains are commonly made from waterproof PEVA and are designed to mount on the ceiling of your bathroom. These curtains generally span most of the width of bathtubs and feature generous drop-down coverage. When not in use, as the name makes obvious, they roll up with the help of a roller chain, completely concealing them within their housing. One example of this kind of product is the Jakooz Ceiling Mounted Bathtub Curtain, which retails for $119.99 on Amazon and has a current 4.5-star rating. 

Roll-up shower curtains can be a great solution for families that share a bathroom, thanks to the fact that that they stow completely out of the way when not in use — this gives parents of toddlers and young children a completely open tub to supervise bathing; when it's time for older children or adults to use the shower, however, they easily roll down to prevent water from splashing out.

While roll-up curtains offer protection from water spillage outside of the tub area, it's important to remember that they are made from movable plastic; this means that water can escape out of the sides or bottom if there is a lot of splashing going on. When shopping for your roll-up bathtub curtain, measuring your space in advance is very important and will ensure the best fit. Proper mounting is also imperative and will prevent the housing from falling out of the ceiling when rolling the curtain up or down.

A final important consideration is the potential for mold growth; since the curtain rolls up tightly when not in use, it's possible for trapped water to begin growing bacteria — especially when you add soap scum and body oils to the mix. In order to prevent mold and mildew buildup on your shower curtain, it's wise to leave it rolled down until fully dried. You could also dry the wet side with a towel before rolling it up, if you don't want to wait for it to air dry. And if you aren't afraid of spending more money, you can ditch your gross shower curtain and check out these alternatives instead.