Mom Seeking Helpful Cleaning Tip

Updated on December 15, 2008
M.M. asks from Chattanooga, TN
44 answers

How to clean the soap scum off a clear vinyl shower curtain? I don't want to keep replacing the one I have because I don't know how to clean it.

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S.B.

answers from Johnson City on

Dear Mom seeking helpful cleaning tip,
I know this may sound crazy, but put it in the washing machine! That works really well and also Lime Away. Those both always seem to work very well for me.

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W.G.

answers from Nashville on

All you need to do is throw it in the wash on hot water and it will come clean every time. Just hang it back up to dry.
Have a great holiday.
W.

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W.M.

answers from Nashville on

Just stick it in the washing machine on delicate cycle, warm water, and hang dry afterward. The vinyl work best in the washer.

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M.T.

answers from Raleigh on

I just throw my shower curtain in the washer with some detergant and about a cup of bleach....not only does it get it clean but it disinfects it so that it doesnt get build up as easy. I had a clear shower curtain that I got at the dollar store last me for 3 1/2 yrs this way. I paid 5 dollars for it and I think I got way more than my moneys worth from it.

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A.K.

answers from Huntington on

I also use a non toxic cleaner that is AWESOME, its called Tub & Tile and it is eco friendly too, (like my other cleaners) I can show you where to get them online. These products are the best I've ever used!!

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M.T.

answers from Wheeling on

Just run it through the washing machine. My husband discovered that with our liners.

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C.B.

answers from Charlotte on

I put mine into the washer with hot water.....it works great and comes out squeaky clean.
C.

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M.B.

answers from Raleigh on

once you get it off of there - I normally just put it in the washer on delicate - hot water - with some mrs. meyers all purpose cleaning - i love the basil scent one -
but the important things is this - if you begin using castille soap - like dr. bronners - or any other 'natural' soap - things that are not full of scents and foaming agents - but apparently it is hard water that causes the soap scum in the tub and on the curtain -
you can read more about it here:
http://chemistry.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=ht...

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B.G.

answers from Raleigh on

I put vinyl shower curtains in the washing machine with a little bleach. I hadn't thought about putting it in with the towels. I'll have to try that the next time.

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L.C.

answers from Lexington on

You can put your shower curtain in the washer--hot water--and wash the scum off. I let the full cycle run and then refill my washer with hot/warm water as I do not have a hot or warm rinse option. If you remove the curtain from warm water you can just rehang it and it will be beautiful. Taking it our of a cold rinse makes the plastic a bit brittle.

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D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

Scrubbing Bubbles works the best in my opinion. Spray it on the curtain, wait, and spray off with hot water.

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K.S.

answers from Nashville on

I have put them in the washing machine with a towel and run the cycle with cold water. Seems to work pretty good depending on the quality of the vinyl.

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T.K.

answers from Louisville on

Vinegar in a spray bottle and a sponge should make short work of it. Spray, let it sit a minute or two and then scrub and rinse.

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M.T.

answers from Nashville on

I haven't tried this but a girlfriend told me that the instructions on her new shower door says to clean it with peanut butter. Don't know how much or what to do but I am going to try it next time. you may want to do the same.
Sounds crazy I know but that is what she said.

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B.D.

answers from Huntington on

Always keep dishwashing compound mixed in water to
clean almost anything that is impossible to clean,
the shower curtain for one.

Spray it all over with the mixture, wipe it down, then rinse
it off.

Works on many things.
B.

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C.R.

answers from Knoxville on

I always take mine down and put it in the washer. I generally wash along with my bleach load in at least warm or hot. Do not put it in the dryer because this will cause it to become dry and brittle. I usually hang it outside but have also just hung back in the shower. This is good also because after you hang back on the rod the water just drips into the tub. Good Luck.

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M.S.

answers from Owensboro on

I use cheap shampoo and a washcloth on my glass doors. I believe it should work with your curtain. I clean when I am in the shower and don't worry about the chemicals. Good luck !

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M.S.

answers from Greensboro on

Hi M.,

I use a non-toxic bathroom cleaner that cleans better than anything synthetic. I clean my shower liners with it and they come out as white as when I bought them. (I don't use anything with bleach in it because bleach leaves a residue and is absorbed through the skin on contact. If the liner is in water when one of your little ones are bathing then it's in the water as well.) I get this product online so I'll have to give you more information if you're interested. Let me know!

Regards,

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

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A.J.

answers from Memphis on

I've heard if you put it in the washer with a few dingy towels and a cup or two of vinegar on the delicate cycle it can help. You may have to untwist it when it comes out though,lol.

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T.B.

answers from Nashville on

Hi
I had the same question last week. The woman that cleans my house suggested 1/2 cup of ammonia in the washing machine on cold. I havent tried it yet but will over the weeekend. Glad you posted the question, lots of great feedback from everyone. What a great site with lots of wonderfuly helpful women. :)
Good Luck
T.

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C.S.

answers from Parkersburg on

I read somewhere to just put it in the washer with a towel and regular detergent on gentle. I've done it and I have a clear shower curtain and it works perfect without the hassle. Just take it out and hang it up inside the shower like normaal and it will release wrinkles and dry on its own.

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S.C.

answers from Nashville on

Wash your curtain it in your washer machine with regular washing detergent and some towels. Will come out clean, after you hang it up for a while, the wrinkles will go away.

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S.P.

answers from Louisville on

Tilex Mold and Mildew....amazing stuff! It cuts right threw the scum!

D.N.

answers from Nashville on

Have you tried running it through the washer with a load of towels? I have done that and had some luck.

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

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A.B.

answers from Raleigh on

you can wash it in your washing machine and then put it in the dryer on low for a few minutes.

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S.J.

answers from Raleigh on

I normally throw it in the washing machine and it comes out perfect!
A friend of mine mops hers! LOL! She takes it off the rod but doesn't take the hooks out, find a spot big enough and mops over it.

Good luck,
S.

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T.C.

answers from Lexington on

Wash it on hot in the washing machine, with some towels or something else. I wash my shower curtains and it works great. You can even put it in the dryer for just a few minutes to get the excess water off.

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A.J.

answers from Jacksonville on

I found that 'Bar Keepers Friend' is WONDERFUL with soap scum. And it's cheap! Hard water spots on the foset, tile scum, oh I just L♥VE that stuff.

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P.N.

answers from Raleigh on

The easiest thing for me has been to throw it in the washing machine - no bleach. Good luck!

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A.S.

answers from Omaha on

Magic clean erasers are wonderful!!! They get everything out, just add water.

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S.D.

answers from Nashville on

I spray mine with Cloxox Clean up, wipe it with a rag, and then spray if off.

C.R.

answers from Charleston on

I throw mine in the washing machine with detergent(small amount) and a little bleach. It works like a charm.

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L.S.

answers from Lexington on

If it's not too dirty I use scrubbing bubbles. However, if it's really dirty I put it in the washing machine with detergent and bleach. I use a big bowl to carry it wet from the washer to the bathroom and hang it up wet to dry.

D.B.

answers from Memphis on

One way is to get those shower sprays. I find Arm & Hammer Clean Shower smells & works great. You just spray your shower walls, bathtub and shower curtains or doors after each shower & it keeps things clean. You can find it at most stores & online as well.

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D.H.

answers from Louisville on

My mom tosses hers in the washing machine! You can try adding some vinegar to help - vinegar cleans a lot of stuff!

T.C.

answers from Lexington on

I stick mine in the washer on cold/gentle cycle with a cup of vinegar. Works everytime :)

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R.H.

answers from Fayetteville on

Try getting a cloth one. I had the same problem, but since I have switched to cloth, I just throw the darn thing in the wash and then the dryer, hang it back up and keep it moving. I tried to put the plastic one in the wash, but the creased part would be the area that would still be dirty after I took it out, so I let that demon go and have never looked back.

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D.J.

answers from Charlotte on

Hi M.,

One thing would be to use something that didn't leave that soap scum on the curtain. The Oxyfresh cleansing gele` is a liquid wash that has no waxes/paraffin in it. It is good for our skin too. And leaves no scum in the tub or shower, keeps mold and mildew down, doesn't leave that "ring" around the tub, and is safe for all ages, from babies up. Makes a great bubble bath too! And it's "green" so safe for the environment. Check it out at
http://www.oxyfresh.com/D./personal/.

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A.T.

answers from Wilmington on

I throw it in the washer with whatever cleaning stuff you prefer. If there is mold, I throw in some bleach. I usually put the washer on the slow cycle so it doesn't tear. It always comes out clean and scum gone.

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P.B.

answers from Nashville on

I throw mine in the wash machine and I always use the hot cycle and detergent and bleach. It helps to put a towel or 2 in there with it.

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S.B.

answers from Nashville on

Just throw it in the washing machine with some detergent and bleach. Wash it on the gentle cycle with HOT water. Of course, do not dry in dryer :) Just shake out excess water when removing it from washer and rehang.

You can usually wash them about 10-12 times before they need to be replaced.

S.

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K.S.

answers from Raleigh on

Wash in the machine with oxyclean and detergent and a couple of towels. Take it out and shake good, and hang back up.

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N.G.

answers from Fayetteville on

We all hate that darn soap scum! What I do kills two birds with one stone.
Once I've emptied my bathroom trash can I fill it with hot water and about 1/4 cup of bleach. I soak the base of the curtain in the bleach solution for about 20 minutes then go back with gloves and a scrub brush. If you straddle the tub you can maintain your balance while scrubbing the heck out of your curtain (inside the tub). Just brush up and down while holding the curtain above where you're working. There's no need to pull the pole down on your head, right? I'll let it soak a little longer once the scrubbing is done. Dump out the water, wipe the can clean and rinse the curtain and tub with warm water.
To maintain it, make sure you spray soap scum remover on the trouble areas every couple of days so it doesn't build up again. You'll be surprised how clean your bathroom smells once that stuff is off your curtain! I've heard you can use a blend of ammonia and water instead of the expensive sprays. Hope this helps!

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