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When creating a safe, clean, and relaxing bathroom environment, our choice of shower curtains and how we care for them is important. Tasked with the role of keeping this room dry, there are several factors to consider when purchasing a shower curtain.
By ensuring a healthy material choice, cleaning it correctly, and understanding its potential reusable qualities, we can further work to ensure a longer-lasting product. Here, The Bathroom Showroom discusses all things shower curtains.

Which Shower Curtain Material Is Best?

There are three main choices of shower curtain material, including fabric, Vinyl/PVC, and PEVA /EVA.
Fabric shower curtains mainly consist of polyester, yet you'll also find some available in cotton or linen. These are the softer of choices against the skin and they're also the quieter of curtains when the water hits them. Fabric shower curtains are easier to care for and can be cleaned easily in the shower and when laundered. These curtain types will also dry out faster, helping the wider bathroom environment with moisture control. 
Vinyl/PVC shower curtains are considered the cheaper material types to purchase regularly.  However, when manufactured they produce several toxins which are harmful to both the home and the wilder environment. This is due to their level of chlorine and volatile organic compounds. Though effective choices, the strong odor that Vinyl and PVC give off can aggravate some users. Thus, it’s advisable to look out for those shower curtain choices that don’t promote such toxins. As a healthier choice, PEVA and EVA material is a good choice.
PEVA/EVA shower curtains are becoming a more popular choice for those looking to actively reduce the harmful chemicals present in their bathrooms. When compared to vinyl and PVC material choices, PEVA and EVA shower curtains are a healthier option for users and also more eco-friendly to the wider environment. Better still, they retain the effective properties of vinyl and PVC shower curtains boasting antimicrobial properties while both looking and feeling like them too.

How to Clean and Care for a Shower Curtain

Many people commonly ask, can you wash a shower curtain in the washing machine, and can it go in the dryer? The answer depends on the type of curtain material. For many fabric shower curtains, you can place them into a washing machine and wash at a cool temperature to freshen them up. 
Yet, PEVA, EVA, PVC, and vinyl shower curtains should not be washed in a machine. Instead, they can be sprayed with a gentle home-made cleaning solution and gently wiped with a cloth to keep them fresh. 
It’s not advisable to place any shower curtain in the dryer after washing. Instead, just hang the shower curtain back up, open it up, and let it dry naturally for the best results.

Are Shower Curtains Recyclable?

Unfortunately, due to their make-up, PVC, vinyl, EVA, PEVA, and even fabric shower curtains are not recyclable. This is due to their material and construction, especially when toxic contents are involved. This means that when you look to change this accessory, usually every six months, it’s worthwhile considering alternative uses for your old shower curtain.

Are Shower Curtains Better Than Screens?

Though it may well be a matter of preference and cost, a bath screen is a friendlier and more practical cost-effective option. More useful at keeping your bathroom floor dry, bath screens are so simple to keep clean and they help the light flow through the entire space uninterrupted. 
The Bathroom Showroom sells a fabulous selection of bath screens that protect your bathroom. From single to double screens, folding to L shapes, if you’re looking to ditch your shower curtain and finally opt for a long-term solution, take a look at our brand new brochure for a selection of our best products.
For more bathroom ideas and bathroom inspiration, take a look at our Rest & Relaxation blog section.