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!

As we head toward the 135th ”Run for the Roses“ (May 2, 2009) let’s think about how we can spruce up our bathrooms with a rose shower curtain.  When I think of a rose shower curtain in my bathroom, the first thoughts that come to mind are stuffy and draby.  But this doesn’t have to be the case.  Sure, if you’re not strategic, your bathroom can look like it came straight out of Professor Umbridge’s office in Harry Potter.  But with a little planning, you can use your rose shower curtain and make your bathroom come to life with a vintage or modern style.  Below are some helpful points that will allow you to create the style you want for your bathroom.

   

Vintage:

v     Technically, the term vintage means anything made prior to the 1920s.  It’s unlikely you’ll find a true quality vintage shower curtain, but you can purchase a shower curtain that matches the classic vintage style.

v     When thinking vintage, think lace, flat pastel colors (pinks, light blues, yellows, golds, and tans), delicate, and vines.  By vines, I mean patterns that continue across the curtain that are interconnected, almost by a vine.

v     If you’re still uncertain as to how to manage the vintage look, talk to your grandparents and see if they can remember their authentic vintage shower curtain.  Maybe they even have pictures they can show you. 

v     Add the extra touch of vintage shower curtain hooks.  You may be able to find orginals of these, but if not there are several vintage “knock-offs”.

v     Finally, avoid over-doing the vintage style.  The vintage style is most appealing when it is paired with some modern touches and is not overdone with layering of vintage on vintage.  For instance, do not pair a vintage rose shower curtain with a vintage wall paper.  Do not pair a vintage shower with a fluffy pink tub and sink rug and a toilet seat cover.  This can quickly make your bathroom appear to be old, musky, and drab.  Instead, paint your walls a color that makes the intricacies of your shower curtain POP!  The first picture below is one way to NOT do vintage, as the shower curtain and walls have coordinating patterns.  Instead, keep the curtain and paint the walls a light gold tone.  This will make your rose curtain stand out and you won’t get lost in the room.

 

 

 

 

 

Modern:

v     When thinking modern think contemporary.

v     When I think of the modern style I think of the 3 S’s: simple, sleek, sophisticated.  Choose simple patterns or prints and a simple color scheme.  A monochromatic (one color) or dichromatic (two colors), particularly black and white are safe bets.  When you see something that is sleek and sophisticated, you just know it.  Usually it can be something that is luscious but not pomp.  Croscill shower curtains often meet all of the 3 S’s.

v     You can never go wrong with a white shower curtain, black shower curtain, or a mix of the two.  Keep the white and black shower curtain simple and pair it with bold bathroom accessories, like a bright yellow vase and fresh cut red roses.  Black and white curtains especially look ravishing when paired with a clawfoot tub.

v     Often people make the mistake of doing a large print on their shower curtain, thinking this automatically makes it modern.  But this is not so.  These, actually tend to fall under the novelty shower curtain category.

 

  

There are also some curtains that can be both modern or vintage, like the one below.  The accessories in the room and paint scheme will be what determines whether you have a modern bathroom or a vintage one.

 

 

Hopefully these tips have been helpful in starting you on your way to capitalizing on your rose shower curtain, whether you choose the vintage or modern route.  Remember the tips above, look online for several pictures depicting each style, and enjoy the process of transforming your bathroom.

 

-ang