Your toilet, with its warm showers and running water, is a moist environment that creates a prime breeding ground for mould and mildew in your house. But you don’t need a degree in chemistry to stop contamination in the bathroom or anywhere else. To reduce contamination on a vinyl shower curtain, do not buy a curtain or a liner with etched patterns which trap water in position; a smooth vinyl shower curtain allows the water to slide right off into the drain.
Ventilate the Moisture
Everyone loves a warm, steamy shower, but your toilet should ventilate the moisture caused by hot showers to avoid mold and mildew growth. Open the toilet window or turn on the ventilation fan just after you turn the shower. Let the toilet and shower curtain dry out completely before shutting the toilet window or turning the fan off.
Circulate the Air
Following a shower, ensure the shower curtain has enough air circulating around it to dry properly. Specialized hooks let you keep the shower pulled off from moist surfaces as it dries. Alternately, prop a laundry basket between the curtain and bathtub if you’ve got a bathtub with shower curtains. Spread the curtain across the curtain rod to remove any folds which hold water and encourage mildew growth.
Towel-Dry the Curtain
Once you dry off from your shower, run your moist towel over the shower curtain and shower walls to get rid of excess moisture. By making it a regular habit and teaching other family members to do the same, you can effectively decrease or stop mildew growth with this simple few-seconds’ trick. After you’ve dried the curtain, pull it outside of the bathtub so it will not become wet from the tub’s sides.
Produce a Cleaning Solution
Obtain a plastic spray bottle and then fill it using a product formulated to avoid mold and mildew growth. Follow manufacturer’s directions for use on commercial products, or make your own. Mix a pure cleaning solution that functions to prevent mildew growth. Combine 1 part vinegar to 1 part warm water and then pour into a plastic spray bottle. Substitute household chlorine bleach to get the vinegar, but do not use it unless the space has enough ventilation. Bleach can create toxic fumes.
Weekly Cleaning Ritual
Insert your vinyl shower curtain into your weekly cleaning ritual. Spray your chosen cleaning solution across the full surface of the shower curtain. Allow the solution to sit on the curtain so it can efficiently eliminate any mildew or mould spores. Rinse the curtain with clean water. Take it down and allow it to dry outside for a few minutes in the sunlight after squeezing or wipe it dry with a clean towel or rag.