Most liners can go in the wash, not the trash.
Give the Liner One More Wash
How to clean a shower curtain liner and glass doors, and why you don't need to replace the liner as often as you think.
A mildewed shower curtain liner feels like a sign to replace it. Most people toss it and buy a new one without a second thought.
Try the washing machine first. Most plastic and fabric liners come back looking almost new, and the glass doors nearby have their own quick habit that keeps them clear.
Wash the liner with towels
Put a plastic or fabric liner in the washing machine with a couple of old towels, on a warm, gentle cycle. Add a small amount of regular laundry detergent.
Why? The towels act like scrub pads against the liner during the wash, and a gentle cycle protects the plastic from cracking or tearing.
Skip the dryer for plastic liners
Hang a plastic liner back on the rod to air dry. Fabric liners can usually go in the dryer on low, but check the tag first.
Why? High heat can warp or melt a plastic liner. Rehanging it wet also lets gravity smooth out the wrinkles.
Clean glass doors with a squeegee habit
After every shower, pull a squeegee down the glass once. For a deeper clean, spray glass cleaner and wipe with a lint-free cloth first, then squeegee.
Why? Like the shower walls, water spots come from water drying on the glass. A squeegee habit is what actually keeps glass clear between deep cleans.
Clean the track at the bottom
Use an old toothbrush to clean along the bottom track of a glass door, where hair and soap scum collect.
Why? The track is easy to overlook because it's low and out of the way, but it holds onto more grime than the glass itself.
Short on time?
Just squeegee the glass after your shower. That's enough for now.
Before you replace it, wash it
A liner and a glass door both last longer with regular light care than with one big clean every few months.
One more wash before you give up on it.