Last Updated on March 4, 2023
Fuzzy pink mildew creeping up your shower curtain might look bad, but it’s more than an eyesore. It can be a severe health risk. Time to get on top of this and make sure you stay safe.
Thankfully, getting rid of the mildew doesn’t have to be a difficult task. With some simple household items, such as bleach and liquid detergent, you can easily eliminate the pink mildew in no time.
In this post, we are talking about how to get rid of pink mildew on fabric and plastic shower curtains. We will show you step-by-step how to make a bleach solution and which type of cleaner is best for each type of curtain.
How to Clean Pink Mildew from Shower Curtain: 2 Methods
To effectively clean pink mildew from fabric shower curtains, it is important first to collect the necessary items. These items include laundry detergent, baking soda, a bucket, rubber gloves, and bleach.
Method 1: Cleaning With Hands
Step 1: Make Bleach and Water Solution
Once all of the necessary items have been collected, it’s time to make a bleach and water solution. Mix equal parts bleach and water in a spray bottle. This solution can then be easily sprayed onto affected areas of the curtain without having to detach it from the rod beforehand.
It is important not to use too much bleach, or else there can be potential damage done to the fabric itself as well as discoloration.
Step 2: Spray the Solution and Wait
The next step is spraying this bleach and water solution onto areas with visible pink mildew on them while keeping them attached to the rod. Allow this solution to sit for 10-15 minutes before cleaning.
You shouldn’t scrub during this time, as you’ll spread the mold around or even contaminate other surfaces nearby if you scrub too hard.
Step 3: Make a Cleaning Solution
Now that enough time has passed for the disinfection of affected areas. It’s time to make a cleaning solution to scrub away any remaining mildew spots on fabric shower curtains.
To do this, fill a bucket with warm water. Then add 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent into the mixture until fully dissolved in a water bath.
It is better to use cold or lukewarm water instead of hot water when making this solution. Hot water can damage delicate fabrics on curtains, but cold or lukewarm water works just as well and is less likely to damage the fabric.
Step 4: Submerge Curtain and Scrub
After the cleaning solution has been created, take the curtain off the rod, being careful not to touch the contaminated material directly so that minor contamination doesn’t spread.
Submerge the curtain into the cleansing bath till most areas are covered. Put on gloves and rub gently over contaminated areas until all spots are gone. Paying extra attention not rinsing off particles until all spots are taken care of properly.
Step 5: Rinse Curtain and Dry
After spots have been removed, rinse off the suds using warm running water. If needed, gently wipe down the curtain with a cloth towel to help release suds faster from creases.
Once finished, hang the curtain up again, allowing the cloth material to dry naturally outside or inside the bathroom space, according to your preference.
Method 2: Cleaning With a Washing Machine
Step 1: Prepare the Mixture
To prepare the mixture for cleaning pink mildew from a shower curtain, mix together equal parts of bleach and lukewarm water in a spray bottle.
Make sure to shake the bottle to combine the ingredients completely. Spray the mixture liberally on areas of the curtain affected by mildew. Allow the mixture to sit on the affected spots for around 10 minutes.
Step 2: Place Curtain in Washing Machine
Once 10 minutes have passed, carefully remove the shower curtain from its hooks and place it inside your washing machine. It is best to put the curtain in alone, without any other fabrics or items.
Add a small amount of detergent for a light load, usually only about one tablespoon or even less. You can also add an optional tablespoon of bleach if you want to.
Step 3: Run the Machine with the Appropriate Settings
Before running your machine, make sure you select appropriate settings for washing your shower curtain based on its material and care instructions. In this case, use either cold or warm water for disinfecting purposes.
Once you are satisfied with your washing machine settings, go ahead and start the cycle so that your shower curtain can be fully washed and disinfected.
Step 4: Air-dry Curtain Thoroughly
Once your washing cycle has finished, take out your shower curtain from inside the washer and hang it up again in its original spot to air-dry thoroughly before using it again.
Ensure all areas are completely dry before putting them back in place so that no further moisture can cause any deterioration or growth of bacteria and mold.
How to Clean Pink Mildew from Plastic Shower Curtains?
Before you start cleaning the plastic shower liner, make sure you have all the items you need.
You’ll need liquid dish soap, a scrubbing sponge, baking soda, a bucket or water bottle for mixing solutions, rubber gloves to keep your hands safe, and a rag or towel for wiping. And don’t forget some bleach. Once everything is ready, then you can start cleaning.
Step 1: Spritz Bleach on the First
The next step in cleaning pink mildew from a plastic shower curtain is to mix a one-to-one solution of bleach and water and use it to spray the affected area.
Allow the solution to sit on the surface for 10-15 minutes so that it can work its magic and loosen up any stubborn spots or stains. This will help make the job easier when it comes time to scrub off any remaining mildew.
Step 2: Scrub the Curtain with Baking Soda and Liquid Dish Soap
Once the bleach solution has been allowed to sit on the surface, put on your rubber gloves and then sprinkle some baking soda onto an abrasive sponge. Then drizzle this sponge lightly with some liquid dish soap for added cleaning power.
Use this combination of ingredients to scrub away any remaining patches of mildew from the plastic shower curtain.
The abrasive texture of the sponge, combined with the grease-cutting power of liquid dish soap, will help break down even tough stains without damaging your curtain.
Step 3: Rinse the Shower Curtain and Dry
After successfully removing all traces of mildew from your plastic shower curtain using baking soda, liquid dish soap, and bleach solution, rinse it thoroughly under running water until all traces of these ingredients are removed.
Hang up your freshly cleaned shower curtain back onto its rod and wipe over both sides with a dry towel to remove any hard water marks as an additional precaution.
Follow These Steps to Clean a Plastic Curtain In the Washing Machine
Step 1: Spray the Bleach Solution
If you don’t want to clean your plastic shower curtain with your hand, you can put it in the washing machine.
To begin, mix 1 cup of bleach and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle and shake it up to ensure it is mixed well. Then take the shower curtain and spray the bleach solution over it evenly.
Rinse it with cold water after 10 to 15 minutes. This should help to remove any mildew that has built up on the plastic material of the shower curtain.
Step 2: Put the Curtain Into the Washing Machine
Once you have treated the shower curtain with the bleach solution, you will need to put it into your washing machine.
Carefully remove it from where it is hung and place it into your washing machine, ensuring that all parts are properly situated so that nothing gets caught or tangled during the cleaning process.
Step 3: Add Necessary Cleaning Agents
Next, you should add additional cleaning agents to help remove any remaining traces of mildew from the shower curtain.
To do this, add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda, laundry detergent, or bleach (or any combination thereof). Adding these agents can help to kill off any remaining germs or bacteria while also helping to lift away any dirt build-up and stains on your plastic shower curtain.
Step 4: Run the Machine and Clean
Then run your washing machine on a slow-spin or delicate cycle using cold water rather than hot. Hot water may cause plastic materials to melt or discolor over time, so cold water is best for this cleaning job.
Also, use a gentle cycle setting if possible, as this will help avoid causing damage to your plastic curtains from too much agitation during cleaning.
Step 5: Let Air Dry
Finally, once your curtains have gone through their wash cycle, allow them to air dry.
Rehang them in their original place after wiping them down with a clean towel first, so you don’t leave watermarks. This way, they will remain free from pink mildew growths and keep looking like new.
Will Vinegar Remove Pink Mold from the Shower Curtain?
Vinegar can effectively remove pink mold from a shower curtain. The acetic acid in vinegar is an effective natural cleaning agent that helps to eliminate mold, as well as mildew, bacteria, and other organic growths.
To use it for cleaning a moldy shower curtain liner, simply mix a solution of half white vinegar and half warm water in a spray bottle. Then spray the entire shower curtain with the solution and let it sit for several minutes before scrubbing it gently with a brush or sponge.
Allow the mixture to penetrate the fabric for about 10 minutes before wiping away any visible residue. Rinse the curtain thoroughly with cold water afterward to make sure no traces of vinegar are left behind.
Repeat this process until all signs of pink mold have been eliminated from your shower curtain.
Can You Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Remove Pink Mold From Shower Curtains?
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean a shower curtain’s pink mold. To do so, mix 2 parts hydrogen peroxide with 1 part water and apply the solution either directly onto the fabric of the curtain or onto a clean rag and wipe it onto the shower curtain.
Then let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. In this method, hydrogen peroxide’s bleaching properties and antibacterial and antifungal properties kill any harmful bacteria living on your shower curtains.
How Often Should You Clean Your Shower Curtain?
The frequency at which you clean your shower curtain depends on various factors, such as usage rate and the overall condition of the fabric.
According to general guidelines, it is recommended that you clean your shower curtains at least once every three months to preserve their condition and prolong their lifespan.
Conquer Pink Mildew In An Instant
Keeping your shower curtain mold-free doesn’t have to be a hassle. With the steps outlined above, you can quickly and easily conquer pesky pink mildew on both fabric and plastic curtains.
To prevent pink mold from arising, open windows when possible for fresh air circulation and launder any fabric curtains according to instructions. Follow these tricks, and you’ll keep that curtain looking good as new in no time.