So what though, right?  The title of my blog is kind of stupid but in our store, we’ve been dealing with the issue of which of the two we want to focus our marketing efforts towards.  Both have avid followers and both have strong potentials for room themes adn decorations.  Growing up, I had a huge beach decoration going in my room, with full wall murals and all; however, our accountant loves cat s and her house is filled to the hilt w/ all things cat.

So now I’m calling for a pole:  of the two unique categories, which would you prefer:  Cat Shower Curtains or Beach Shower Curtains and furthermore, would you prefer a vinyl shower curtain or a fabric shower curtain?

-ang

A simple, yet elegant shower curtain. With a little bit of sewing, you could turn this unique shower curtain into a table cloth for your party.

For those who do not wish to purchase a specifically seasonal curtain, this red, white, and blue striped curtain could be the choice for you. You could debut it at your July 4th party and keep it hanging for the remainder of the Summer season or longer.

This is a very patriotic vinyl shower curtain option.

Welcome Uncle Sam into your home with this festive curtain.

The combination of body wash and dirt from our skin produces a film that sticks to your shower curtain liner, even after your shower.  So after time, build-up of this grime, mixed with moisture can produce mildew.

Translation: Gross dingy curtain.

My cool shower curtain is plastic, with huge geometric circles on it in various colors.  Since we use it as a liner and a curtain, it was definitely in need of some t.l.c.  I’ve heard that bleach is the best at removing the grime, so I threw it in the wash with a little bleach, along with some of my white towels and anticipated the results.  When I open the washer, to my dismay, I found little pieces of the ink everywhere.  The bleach not only made the curtain mildew free, but it also had totally removed the print from the curtain.  Oops.  

Upon reflection, I released that the ‘bleach in the washer with a couple of towels’ trick was for white shower curtains, or for clear plastic/vinyl shower curtains.  After a little hang dry, those turn out looking like the day you removed them from the package (minus the new plastic smell).

For plastic/vinyl curtains with a print, here are three safe ways to clean them:

1.      Place it in the washer w/ VINEGAR, not bleach, on a gentle or quick cycle. Hang dry.
2.      Take it down, lay it flat and hand wash with detergent, or vinegar/water mixture.  
3.       Use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser while in the shower and spot clean.  This is definitely my favorite, since it so easy and the results are immediate and amazing!

Next time you are finding yourself with the itch to clean your shower curtain, take a little time and customize your process with the type of curtain you have, or else you may find yourself with a totally unexpected result like mine!

Good luck and happy cleaning!

If you are a cat lover, several examples of cat shower curtains you may be interested in are below.  These will make any car proud to be you feline friend.

If dogs are more of your domain, there are several dog shower curtains that honor our canine companions.

If you’re not quite sure how to incorporate dogs or cats into your bathroom, but are intrigued by this theme, simply find a unique shower curtain that meets your needs.  I’ve found that fabric shower curtains tend to be more sophisticated than the vinyl shower curtains.  And there are several options when thinking of how classy you want your bathroom to be while still reflecting your love with one of these animal shower curtains.  I’ve seen fancy, swanky, plain, and goofy shower curtains that all depict cats or dogs.  And if you’re still stuck on choosing whether to display felines or canines, why not recognize both?

-ang

Due to writer’s block, let’s take a short break from everything Derby, and revisit a previous topic – reusing our used shower curtains.  In a previous post, we discussed how to bring new life to our old vinyl shower curtains, and today a few tips on how to reuse your used fabric shower curtain.  This is an appropriate topic as Earth Day just passed and we were encouraged to remember being friendly to our Earth and environment.  Therefore, below you will find several ways to reuse your fabric curtain, most of which only require minimal skills in creative or artistic ability, like sewing.

• With sturdier curtains, use the fabric material to reupholster a well-loved chair.
• Create new, bold accent pillows for the couch or bed.  Sew on some buttons or cute trim, and no one will even know it was once a shower curtain.
• Create new window curtains.  If there are windows in your bathroom, you could even keep your old curtain remnants in there with the new shower curtain.
• A sturdier curtain can make a great picnic blanket on sunny afternoons.
• Create a table cloth or runner.
• If you are more talented in the sewing arena, try to make a great skirt or dress with a bold and modern printed curtain.
• Cut up the curtain into quilting squares and get your sewing on.
• The way I have most commonly reused my old fabric shower curtains is by relocating it in my house as a wall tapestry.  Hookless shower curtains are especially nice for this, as their large grommets add an extra appeal and make hanging easy.  My best experience with this was a bold white shower curtain with orange polka-dolts.  My husband and I actually bought it purposefully for a wall-hanging, and it did a great job hiding part of the wall that had been damaged and we didn’t have time to repair promptly.
• Another wall art option is to cut out several pieces of the fabric and fame it in fancy frames.  Hang several frames together as a series.  Below is a picture where one person used fabric and cross-stitching hoops to accomplish the same idea.  You could also simply stretch the fabric around a canvas or something else that can keep your fabric taut and forget the faming altogether.

Below are several pics of either great fabrics to use for wall art or more examples of what reusing your fabric shower curtain could look like.

If it is likely you will reuse your fabric shower curtain in one of the above ways mentioned, try to purchase your curtain with that in mind.  Ask yourself these helpful questions: Will I continue to like this pattern or print across time?  Can this pattern or print fit somewhere else in my home décor (as in another room)?  Is this fabric sturdy enough for me to create something new from it?  (Sheer fabric curtains, do not do well with cutting and sewing projects.)  I hope these ideas and tips have been helpful and inspiring.  If these don’t sound appealing to you, get your own creative juices going and happy curtain crafting!

-ang

Country Shower Curtains:

• use quilt patterns and textures as an inspiration.
• fabric shower curtain with a pattern
• create a sense of warmth and coziness with neutral and harvest color scheme.  Reds and browns are popular.
• go for a rustic or antique look
• country decorating is a compilation cherished items, new and found, and simply using colors and things that you love.  Each piece should look like it has a story to tell.

Western Shower Curtains:

• think of old western films, with cowboys and indians, as inspiration
• brighter colors, including greens and shades of turquoise
• indian patterns could work
• plastic/vinyl shower curtains could look better.  
• shower curtain rings could match with horses, stars, or cowboy boots.
• have fun and don’t be afraid of taking it back to the old wild, wild west!

Though they sound very similar, they are each very unique.  If your home is already warm and cozy in the traditional country style, then a country shower curtain will suit you well.  If you have a western influence throughout your home, (think cowboys and indians) then a western shower curtain will top off your home decor.  Happy decorating!

In the market for a new shower curtain?  With an eco-friendly conscience, what can you do with your old vinyl  shower curtain before you hang your new one?  Read below for several ideas and check out this link for more ways to recycle/reuse your old shower curtain:

• Use a vinly shower curtain for lining your flower beds
• Create a homemade slip-n-slide for your children
• After cleaning any mildew from the curtain, use it as a drop cloth for any house painting or spray painting projects
• Drape cleaned vinyl shower curtains over tables while kids complete craft activities, such as painting Easter eggs, doing paper mache, clay sculpting, etc.
• Use as a cover for outdoor furniture
• Use as a tarp to place under tents when camping

Before pitching your old vinyl shower curtain be creative and investigate ways to give it one last use.  There are several ways that fabric shower curtains can also be recycled.  Check back for tips on what to do with your fabric shower curtain when it has reached its last days.

• Repels Water:  Vinyl shower curtains have the ability to keep your bathroom dry!
• Easy to Clean:  Here is are some tips
• Interesting graphics:  The texture allows really wonderful screen prints
• Eliminates the need for shower curtain liners

Cons:

• Many are not eco-friendly
• If they can’t dry, mildew can creep up
• Some people are allergic to vinyl
• The packages have a strong smell
• Some people prefer the texture of fabric

All in all, vinyl showers curtains are a highly functional, and aesthetically pleasing asset to any bathroom.  When choosing one, its important to make sure it aligns with your needs, including size, style, make, and price.