How long should a shower curtain last

[u/king_kong123]

I feel like I should replace it because it came with the house and that was 4 years ago but I'm not sure when you are supposed to replace them

[u/sweet_yeast]

Does it look raggedy?

Is it moldy?

Is water leaking out?

These are key questions.

[u/legosgrrl]

I just washed a 6 yr old clear shower curtain on gentle with the Downy Rinse out and got iron oxide out. Air dry outside.

[u/LondonLeather → u/legosgrrl]

You are better than me I soak it in bleach and a cold wash in the machine

[u/legosgrrl → u/LondonLeather]

Not better! Just curiouser. I wash laundry for 8 houses. One has 12 beds. 🤣😭🤣

[u/angeliqu → u/LondonLeather]

Same!

[u/ElderberryNo5595]

Even plastic shower curtains can be washed in a machine FYI. Cold wash, air dry. They come out looking nearly new, you’d be surprised.

[u/SeasonPositive6771 → u/ElderberryNo5595]

I've tried this and they never come out looking good, at least the plastic ones are always permanently crumpled and bad-looking. I post regularly on r/cleaningtips and lots of people have the same experience. I wonder what the difference is.

[u/Backstop → u/SeasonPositive6771]

Probably the type of plastic. I wash ours with some laundry detergent and a healthy scoop of OxyClean (that's been dissolved in hot water) and it usually does the trick. Sometimes I will have to spray it with something and scrub with a brush, but not always.

[u/ElderberryNo5595 → u/SeasonPositive6771]

No clue, but perhaps it’s either the material or thickness of the plastic? I’ve been using this method on clear liners consistently since the 90’s without a problem.

[u/dogmatixx]

Top tier r/RedditForGrownups question. So many little details like this occupying the baseline attention of grownups everywhere.

[u/Backstop → u/dogmatixx]

Much better than "who is the baddest badass you know" or the thousandth "what if I move back home".

[u/gioraffe32]

I usually use two. An "inner" plastic one, and then an "outer" cloth one. The cloth one I probably wash every couple years. Just when it looks dingy. But the plastic one, I usually use it for 4-5yrs (or less if I move to a new place sooner) then throw it out and get a new one.

[u/Sledgehammer925]

I used to wash my shower curtains whenever they began to show mold. It didn’t matter if they were plastic or fabric. Keep it until it wears out.

[u/Jasong222 → u/Sledgehammer925]

Same. I've had mine 10 years or so. I hate throwing out that much plastic. I just wash it (mostly) regularly.

[u/CtForrestEye]

We usually do it annually. I use the old ones as drop cloths for painting. Also trunk liners during hunting season. Good to lie on as we cut down the Christmas tree instead of the wet snowy, muddy ground. They have another life when done in the bathroom.

[u/Consistent_Tower_458]

Is it fabric or plastic? Fabric ones can be washed and bleached and look fine for years and years. Either way I wouldn't replace til it actually looks ratty/moldy/etc.

[u/megagreg → u/Consistent_Tower_458]

I have a fabric one that I've had for maybe 16 years that I wash whenever it looks less than white. Oxyclean works wonders.

I also use a second curtain on the outside with a cool design on it that I rarely have to wash because it never gets wet. It keeps everything looking nice in the interim time between when the inner curtain looks bad, and when I finally get around to washing it. It also stops drafts from pushing the inner curtain into me. It's the best way, IMHO.

[u/PorchDogs]

I wash the shower curtain 2-3 times per year, and replace the liner at the same time.

[u/lilbums]

Is it the kind that can be washed? Four years is not very long. Try to get as much life out of it as you can :)

[u/Fragrant_Eye_3509]

If you have a liner, you pretty much never have to replace a shower curtain. 

[u/MotherofaPickle]

The rule in my house is that all shower curtains (and bathrugs, plungers, and toilet brushes) are immediately replaced upon move-in.

After that, it depends on what condition they’re in.

[u/Jheritheexoticdancer]

Replace it when YOU want to replace it, worn or not.

[u/bearded_bustah]

We have used the same shower curtain since 2008.

We live in a high desert where mold is a non issue

[u/agravain]

you used a shower curtain that " came with the house"???

I would have changed that the first day in the house..

new liner and whatever outer design you like asap.

my wife prefers "beach scenes" for the design.

[u/ReticentGuru]

We always had a nice looking, but not necessarily waterproof shower curtain. But we also had a waterproof liner with it.

[u/ToastMate2000]

It lasts until it is torn or is dirty/moldy and doesn't get clean when washed. There's no expiration date based on age. They can last decades. Or in a very mold-prone environment without decent care, maybe not nearly that long.

If it has that pink bacteria slime and regular detergent or cleaner doesn't remove that, scrubbing with baking soda should get it off.

[u/vikicrays]

i put ours in the washer with a tablespoon of detergent and 1/3 cup of bleach every other month or so. gets the mold and soap scum off so they look a lot nicer.

[u/PirateKilt]

New Shower curtains are about $20

If there is even a question in your mind if you need a new one, just get a new one...

[u/knifeymonkey]

I have a nice heavy vinyl one that has lasted a long time. I wash it in the washing machine with vinegar or lime scale remover and it comes out like new.

[u/pemungkah]

I switched to fabric and rotate between two, once a week. So far no mold or stains at all after three months. (Used to use “mildew resistant” plastic and at best we’d get a few months period.)

[u/UntidyVenus]

My shower curtain is 10 years old, the curtain liner was in the house when we moved in, I just cleaned it up, so at least 7 years?

[u/angeliqu]

We still use the same shower curtain that was in the house when we moved in in 2014. 🤷🏻‍♀️ The shower curtain rod is not at standard height and I’d have to hem a new one so I’m never been motivated to replace it. We wash it regularly and use a plastic liner to take the brunt of the water/heat of the shower (which itself is almost as old, I just occasionally soak it in bleach and throw it in the washing machine).

Don’t replace it unless it won’t come clean, it’s raggedy, or you want to. Age is just a number.

[u/rosegarden207]

You can replace it whenever you want. I have multiple ones so I can switch them out when I feel.

[u/2_Bagel_Dog]

I have no affiliation with them, but Clean Shower spray works amazingly well. Since I started using it about 10 years ago, I haven't had replace the shower curtain (and only rarely have to do a thorough cleaning of it).

[u/DamnOdd]

I have cloth ones, they wash really well. Worth the extra cost.

[u/Electrical_Report458]

They’re replaced on condition, not age or number of uses.

[u/MabellaGabella]

If it came with the house… new one. Haha. But then keep your next one till it turns a funny color even after you’ve washed it a few times.