More Eco-Friendly Than Vinyl: An Easy To Clean Option For Your Shower Curtain

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At first, making the switch for a more eco-friendly lifestyle seems easy: swap paper towels for cloth, plastic food storage for glass, and paper plates for the ceramic ones that have been hiding in the back of your cupboard (just us?). But then it's time to tackle the trickier swaps, including — drumroll, please — the shower curtain. For many of us, plastic shower curtains or liners have been the go-to for so long that we think it's the only option. But the good news is that you can replace your old shower curtain with a cotton one for an easy eco-friendly swap.

Is a vinyl shower curtain really that big of a problem? Yes, it's reliable, it's hardy, and it can stand up to daily exposure to water. But it's also been known to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other dangerous chemicals. VOCs are particularly dangerous as they can cause nausea, liver damage, eye irritation, and more. And, as if that wasn't enough, they can even release microplastics into the water. And, to make matters even worse, while vinyl is technically recyclable, it can't go into your curbside bin. It needs to be properly recycled, which takes extra effort and, often, expense.

With a cotton shower curtain, there's none of that. Cotton is one of the best shower curtain materials to try because it's permeable, soaks up water, and easily breaks down when disposed of the right way. There are, of course, downsides: it doesn't dry as quickly as vinyl, requires a bit more maintenance, and has a higher price tag. But in our book, it's worth it.

When choosing a cotton shower curtain, look at the material type on the packaging. Cotton is good, Egyptian or organic cotton is even better because less chemicals are used when growing. For bonus points, look for shower curtains made with Oeko-Tex certified or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified cotton. Found the one you want? Make sure to buy one size up in case of shrinking.

Another thing to keep in mind: unlike vinyl shower curtains, the eco-friendly cotton options are not waterproof. They will keep water from dripping onto your floor, but it won't have the same water-repelling ability. If you're worried about water getting on the bathroom floor, you have two options: pick a heavyweight cotton shower curtain or wax the shower-facing side (or both!). To wax it, smear multiple thin layers of fabric wax, such as Otter Heavy-Duty Fabric Wax Bar, and let sit until it's no longer tacky (usually about 3 days).

Once you've got a routine down, caring for your cotton shower curtain is easy. First, after your shower, close the curtain and leave the bathroom fan on for about a half hour after to help it dry completely. Regular washing is key to keeping mildew at bay. How often should you wash? It depends on how often you use it. If the curtain is exposed to water daily, pop it in the washer weekly. If less often, maybe biweekly or even monthly. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's care instructions and hang dry until it's no longer damp.