You're Probably Waiting Too Long to Replace Your Shower Liner—Here's Why It Matters
Replacing your shower liner regularly helps protect your health by preventing mold and bacteria from growing in the area where you bathe.
Shower liners collect soap, moisture, and bacteria, which can develop into mold and potentially harm your lungs if not cleaned or replaced.
Factors such as poor bathroom airflow, long liners, or excessive usage by multiple people can cause your liner to wear out more quickly.Like many things in life, knowing when it's time to replace home items—like air-filters or shower curtain liners—doesn't automatically come along with being an adult. You might have suffered through a few damaged or moldy shower liners without realizing it's time to switch them out.
Wondering how often to replace the shower liner? We consulted with two experts—one a cleaning professional and the other a PhD researcher in hygiene and infection prevention—to gain a balanced perspective on the when and why of shower liner refreshes.Meet the Expert
Sofia Martinez, a cleaning expert at Sparkly Maid Austin
Shanina C. Knighton, PhD, RN, CICRelated: How to Clean Every Type of Shower, From Glass to Tile
Why Does Replacing Your Shower Liner Matter?
Sofia Martinez, a cleaning expert at Sparkly Maid Austin, explains that your shower liner is much more than a splash guard (although folks often view it as such). "The liner touches everything—soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and all the humidity in the room," Martinez says.
If you don't frequently replace or clean your liner, moisture and humidity from your bathroom will eventually allow mold and bacteria to grow. And mold and bacteria do more than just smell musty (although that's another unpleasant con).
Shanina C. Knighton, PhD, RN, CIC, researches both infection prevention and hygiene, and states that shower liners are a breeding ground for mold, especially if you're not on top of regular maintenance and replacement. "If there is visible mold, discolored dots, and you are showering in steam, you could be inhaling mold spores," Knighton explains, "which is not ideal for your health, including your lungs and breathing. Hygienically, a dirty liner can undo all the work you are doing to get clean if you come in contact with it while showering."
Related: How Often You Should Clean Every Part of Your Bathroom, According to Experts
How Often Should You Replace Your Shower Liner?
Martinez suggests replacing your shower liner every six to eight months, but says many factors can influence the ideal replacement time. "If your bathroom doesn't have much air circulation, or if a lot of people are using the shower on a daily basis, you'll probably be able to notice mildew and hardwater buildup more quickly,' Martinez says. 'I'll say that once the liner starts looking cloudy, tacky, or starts to smell musty, it's usually really a good time for a new one.'
Regularly inspecting your shower liner will help you check and see if it's time for a replacement. 'Let's say a clear liner turns gray or blurred, a liner gets stained, or smells, and cleaning it does not work, then it is time to change it,' says Knighton. 'I also suggest checking the texture: if the top feels smooth but the bottom is sticky, gummy, slimy, or rough and inconsistent, it is a sign of wear and tear.'
According to Martinez, if the liner seems to generally be in decent shape, but has soap scum or shampoo stuck to it, you should be able to clean it sufficiently. She recommends refreshing your liner with a combo of vinegar and baking soda to neutralize odors.Tip
Even if your liner says it's 'anti-mold' on the tag, damage and frequent use can throw these claims out the window.How Your Bathroom Environment Impacts the Lifespan of Your Liner
Factors like subpar ventilation, frequent shower usage, and high water pressure can all impact the lifespan of your shower liner. Knighton also warns that germs circulate more in bathrooms where your sink, toilet, and tub are positioned closely together, compared to an open, well-ventilated layout. If this describes your bathroom set-up, pay close attention to the length of the liner you choose: Knighton says that a liner that is too long for the tub can cause more germs and mold to accumulate.
Regularly cleaning your shower liner can increase its lifespan, but Knighton cautions folks to check their liner's tag for instructions on proper care. 'Some liners will actually tell you what cleaning products are safe or what to avoid so that you don't break down the material by mistake,' she explains.
"Be cautious of spraying your liners down with chemicals and not rinsing them off properly. Ventilate, disinfect, and clean, and then properly rinse," Knighton adds. "Without cleaning chemicals off properly, the next time you shower, you will then be breathing in chemicals that are potentially harmful."
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