Replace Your Old Shower Curtain Liner: The Sustainable Alternative From Amazon

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Bathrooms are a place where we seek cleanliness and respite — setting up our days for success or ending a long day with a restorative nighttime ritual. It makes sense to seek out sustainable products that make this sacred room safe, healthy, and clean for those who use it.

Shower curtain liners are hidden workhorses of the bathroom — keeping water where it should be day after day, but you may want to ditch your old shower curtain liner because most vinyl liners are made of phthalate-filled polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which emits noxious fumes — no good for a small space dedicated to wellness. They also tend to collect mold and mildew — the opposite of healthy. Instead, you may want to check out this Mrs Awesome sustainable shower curtain liner made of recycled polyester fabric as an option that's healthier for the earth and home. It currently has 4.2 stars out of 5 on Amazon. Though some reviewers note a smell, the majority say they are pleased with the lack of fumes.

Aside from the negative health implications of off-gassing, it's an excellent choice for rooms where moisture is more than just a slip-and-fall hazard. The machine-washable, water-repellant curtain has magnets to keep it in place inside the tub, but because it dries faster, the entire bathroom will dry out more quickly. That's key for preventing mold in basement bathrooms, RVs, and windowless bathrooms in smaller apartments. A couple of reviewers noticed mold, but most noted it stayed clean and mold-free after a month of use.

Another consideration when choosing a sustainable, moisture-repelling shower curtain liner is who might be using it. The eco-friendly liner is good for bathrooms used by teens and kids, whose developing lungs can do without the fumes, and for cleanliness, since these ages aren't always so tidy. Those splashes, bunched-up wet towels slung over the curtain rod, and water left on the floor are all items that can become a mold breeding ground. It's like having a helping hand in the bathroom to keep things a little bit drier.

Guest and primary bathrooms are probably where you like to keep things extra nice, making the spaces look luxe with decor that feels more like a wellness retreat. High-end exterior shower curtain fabrics last longer when they stay dry and don't have to be constantly laundered because of mold and mildew buildup from traditional liners. 

Reviewers say there's a soft, fabric-like feel to this liner that makes it feel high-end, even with an affordable price under $15. However, many note that the liner's slight sheerness makes it less suitable as a standalone shower curtain, so pair it with something that matches your decor. Since the liner also doesn't come with curtain rings for its rust-proof top grommets on the reinforced header, seek out nature-inspired alternatives to boring old plastic rings for an extra kick of personality.