Shower curtains: information and tips for buying
The shower curtain is a practical helper in the bathroom, so that water and soap do not spoil the entire bathroom when you shower. Shower curtains are usually attached to a rod and are made of plastic. Thanks to the passage of time and the development of printing methods, the design of shower curtains have constantly evolved. Today they are available in a wide variety of colors and materials. What you should consider when buying, we have summarized below.
The history of the shower
The French military introduced the first showers around 1860. At the time, they had no idea how popular this practical measure of mass hygiene would later become. The reason for the development was the search for a way for soldiers to keep themselves clean as economically as possible. 20 years later, showers were introduced as individual cubicles in boarding schools, barracks, and prisons, and later also in public baths. It is not known when exactly the shower curtain was developed.
When shopping for shower curtains, keep the following in mind
Not all shower curtains are the same: there are differences in the material, water resistance, impregnation, and much more. With the following purchase you make the right purchase decision:
Impregnation: Water rolls off impregnated shower curtains, thus minimizing the risk of mold. These shower curtains usually do not have to be cleaned with household products, wiping or spraying with water is sufficient.
Waterproof: It's a logical requirement, but not all shower curtains are 100 percent waterproof. When buying, you should make sure that this is actually the case.
PVC-Free: PVC-free shower curtains are easy to recycle, protecting the environment.
Translucency: Depending on the architecture and lighting of the bathroom, how translucent the shower curtain is can be of great importance. Otherwise, you stand in the dark while showering and increase the risk of injuries or accidents.
Hygiene: showers should be washable at 40 to 60 °C. Regular washing can prevent mold from forming.
Microfibre: Bacteria cannot settle on microfibre shower curtains.
The right size
The old shower curtain is often the yardstick for buying a new model. It's worth measuring. This not only saves money but there are also more shower curtains to choose from.
Decisive for the width of a shower curtain:
Compensation for the drape: The desired width plus 10 to 20 percent.
Ideally, the shower curtain hangs in the bathtub or shower bowl.
The inside and outside dimensions are different for bathtubs and shower bowls.
For the length and height, the shower curtain needs to be…
Keep distance between water surface and hem.
Maintain a distance from the room ceiling to the upper edge (approx. 15 cm clearance).
must not hang in the water.
Must be adapted to the individual size of the consumer.
Who feels at home on the shower curtain?
Uncleaned shower curtains are the ideal habitat for bacteria that can cause infections. As the microbiologist Norman Pace found out with the help of genetic analysis, masses of microorganisms live on the surface of soap residue on shower curtains. Most of these bacteria are part of the sphingomonads or methylobacteria. To these two groups also come species that can cause harm to humans as possible pathogens.
Normally, the bacteria on the shower curtain do not pose a health risk to people and are completely harmless. The infestation only becomes problematic for people with open wounds or a weakened immune system. For this reason, it is advisable to clean the shower curtain regularly.
Tips for a permanently clean shower curtain
If you have a bathtub in your bathroom, you need a matching shower curtain. Unfortunately, the curtain does not stay clean for long. Dirt and mold quickly settle and make the curtain simply unattractive. Read these tips to learn how to keep the splash guard clean.
There is great joy after buying a new shower curtain. The splashback may have a beautiful motif and integrates perfectly with the rest of the bathroom furnishings. After a few weeks, the pattern is hardly recognizable, the color has changed, lime and soap stains are visible and the curtain feels rough. If you do not remove the first dirt quickly, you risk the formation of mold and mold stains.
Mold alert
Every shower curtain is susceptible to mold and dirt, and nobody can prevent that either. The reason: Moisture accumulates in the folds every day. If you clean the splash guard regularly, you will be able to enjoy it for longer. The biggest problem is the fact that after the shower there is a lot of moisture in the bathroom and the curtain dries slowly. In this condition, mold and mildew stains quickly form. Hanging out after every shower is tedious, so it's not a practical trick. Instead, it is important to ventilate the bathroom well so that the curtain dries as quickly as possible. In addition, you should wipe the shower curtain dry after each shower.
Avoid sticking the shower curtain
It is particularly annoying and uncomfortable when the curtain gets stuck on different parts of the body while showering. The reason for this is simple: when you shower, the warm air that is heated by the hot water rises. To compensate, cold air flows into the shower from outside and makes the shower curtain an annoying sucker. Owners of an enameled metal tub can quickly combat the problem: With the help of simple fridge magnets, they can keep the curtain away from their bodies. Another option is to attach lead tape, which is available from curtain stores, to the curtain hem.
8 tips for a clean shower curtain
Before hanging shower curtains after purchase, they should be soaked in saltwater so they will not mold.
To remove limescale from a curtain, you should regularly spray it with bath foam, then leave it on for several minutes and rinse it off. Alternatively, baking soda is also suitable for treating the curtain.
Clean the shower curtain with a brush and then treat it with vinegar or lemon juice to efficiently kill bacteria.
Many shower curtains can be washed in the washing machine at 30°. You should definitely select the delicates program but do without the spin cycle. Important: Avoid other items of laundry when washing.
After showering, you should always straighten the splash guard. Mold and germs like to spread in the folds. The ventilation of the bathroom is also important.
Glass cleaners with a nano effect offer additional protection. The cleaner coats the curtain with a protective layer that allows water to roll off. This allows the curtain to dry faster and prevents mold from forming.
Alternative protection to glass cleaner is baby oil. It is ph-neutral and has no aggressive ingredients. If you rub your shower curtain with the oil before using it for the first time, you create protection that allows soap residue and water to roll off.
If the curtain is already slightly infested, you can put the splash guard in a bucket of water with mildew or chlorine cleaner and leave it on overnight. The agents kill fungus and bacteria, with chlorine cleaner lightening the curtain a bit. These harsh cleaning supplies are a stopgap solution when lemon and vinegar fail.
All shower curtains in this article: Decorzee
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