To get mildew off a fabric shower curtain, remove it, pretreat the spots, wash it in the hottest water the care label allows, and dry it completely. Mildew grows when fabric stays damp, so the label and fabric type determine whether you should use detergent, oxygen bleach, or chlorine bleach.
Light growth often comes out with one careful wash. Severe stains, a musty smell that returns, or brittle fabric may require a replacement. Start by checking what the curtain can safely tolerate.
Check the Fabric and Mildew Before You Clean
Read the care label before applying any cleaner. Cotton and polyester curtains often tolerate machine washing, while linen may shrink and delicate blends may require hand washing. Follow the label for water temperature, bleach use, cycle type, and drying.
Inspect the seams, hooks, bottom hem, and liner for widespread growth. Take the curtain outdoors before shaking off loose debris, and don’t brush dry mildew inside the bathroom. Open a window, wear gloves, and test every cleaner on a hidden area first.
Look for Growth in Seams and Hems
Mildew often remains in folded hems or around stitched seams after the visible surface looks clean. Check those areas closely, along with the liner and the fabric near the tub. If growth covers much of the curtain or has weakened the weave, cleaning may not restore it.
Gather the Right Supplies for Mildew Removal
Set out laundry detergent, oxygen bleach, a soft brush or cloth, old towels, a clean towel, and a washing machine or large basin. Use oxygen bleach for most washable colored fabrics when the label permits it. Chlorine bleach is limited to bleach-safe white fabric, and delicate materials may allow neither product.
White vinegar can help with a lingering odor, but use it in a separate rinse and never with bleach. Abrasive scrubbers can damage fibers, while ordinary detergent alone may not remove set-in mildew. Keep all cleaners in their original containers and follow their label directions.
How to Get Mildew Off a Fabric Shower Curtain in the Washing Machine
Remove the curtain and take off hooks or rings. Shake away loose debris outdoors, then pretreat the visible spots before placing the curtain in the washer. Add detergent and the label-approved mildew treatment, select the hottest safe cycle, and run an extra rinse if residue or odor remains.
Pretreat Dark Spots Before the Wash
Mix detergent with oxygen bleach only according to the oxygen bleach label, or use a stain treatment approved for the fabric. Apply it to each dark spot and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. Gently work the area with a soft brush or cloth, using light pressure so you don’t spread mildew into clean fabric.
Don’t let the treatment dry on the curtain. If the fabric starts drying during pretreatment, rinse it or move it into the washer immediately. Chlorine bleach should never touch a curtain unless its care label allows it.
Wash the Curtain With Towels to Reduce Friction
Place the curtain in the washer with two or three old towels. The towels help loosen mildew during agitation and reduce rough contact with the washer drum. Don’t overload the machine, because crowded fabric won’t rinse or clean evenly.
Choose the temperature and cycle listed on the care label. Use oxygen bleach as the safer choice for many colored, washable curtains. Chlorine bleach is acceptable only for bleach-safe white fabric, and towels used with heavy mildew should be washed promptly afterward. Check the curtain before using a dryer, since heat can set remaining stains.
Remove Mildew From a Fabric Shower Curtain Without a Washer
Fill a large basin with warm water, then add detergent and oxygen bleach according to the product label. Submerge the curtain and soak it for the time stated on the oxygen bleach package. If the label permits only hand washing, use the basin method instead of forcing the curtain into a machine.
Gently brush stained areas with a soft brush or cloth. Rinse the curtain several times until the water runs clear, then press out excess water without twisting delicate fabric. Use chlorine bleach only when the care label permits it, and keep the room well ventilated while you work.
Dry the Curtain Completely So Mildew Does Not Return
Mildew can return when damp fabric stays folded or bunched. Hang the clean curtain outdoors in indirect sunlight if the care label permits outdoor drying. Otherwise, rehang it fully spread in the bathroom, open the door, and run the exhaust fan until the fabric is dry.
Avoid high dryer heat unless the label approves machine drying. Heat can shrink some cotton and linen fabrics or damage finishes on blends. Check the bottom hem and seams before putting the curtain back into regular use.
What to Do When Mildew Stains or Odors Remain
If a few spots remain, repeat the same label-safe treatment once. You can then try a stronger cleaner made for the fabric, provided its instructions approve use on mildew and the curtain’s material. Don’t combine products or increase their concentration.
Dead mildew may leave permanent discoloration even after the growth is removed. A musty odor that returns after thorough drying can point to growth inside the hem, liner, or bathroom itself. Replace fabric that feels brittle, has widespread damage, or repeatedly develops mildew after cleaning.
Prevent Mildew on Your Shower Curtain After Cleaning
Spread the curtain fully after every shower so wet folds don’t trap moisture. Run the exhaust fan during the shower and for at least 20 minutes afterward. If the room stays humid, open the door after bathing and dry any folds or pooled water by hand.
Keep the bottom hem from sitting in tub water, and clean soap buildup from the tub or shower. Wash the fabric curtain every two to four weeks in a humid bathroom, or sooner when film appears. Wash the liner separately when needed, since a dirty liner can transfer moisture and mildew back to the curtain.
Fragrance sprays only cover odors. Lowering bathroom humidity, removing soap residue, and drying wet fabric prevent mildew more effectively.
Keep the Curtain Clean and Dry
Follow the care label, pretreat visible mildew, and use the safest effective treatment for the fabric. Rinse well, inspect the seams and hem, and dry the curtain completely before rehanging it.
Light mildew can usually be cleaned with this routine. Severe or recurring growth, persistent odor, and damaged fabric are clear reasons to replace the curtain.