Vinyl shower curtains

**lilyrose** · 10-17-2011, 01:16 PM

I've been hearing about how vinyl shower curtains contain the "no-no" PVC as well as other not so nice chemicals.

The recommendation is to replace them with cloth shower curtains. My first thought is that cloth is not waterproof. I'm imagining water all over my bathroom floor.

What do all of you think? Would cloth block water like the vinyl ones? Is a particular type of cloth better than others? Does anyone have them?

I'm curious to find out what everyone thinks.

**frugalfranny** · 10-17-2011, 01:23 PM

Will be following this to see what others say..........

I tried a 'one layer' cloth (only shower curtain, no 'decorative' outer layer) a few years back........and it was a mess........went back to a vinyl 'liner' with cloth 'cover'. Vinyl hangs inside the tub...........cloth hangs outside.

I wash them both and like it better.

**Telephus44** · 10-17-2011, 01:37 PM

thanks for posting this! My vinyl liner has just about hit the end of it's useful lifespan, and I've been looking for greener replacement options.

**nuisance26** · 10-17-2011, 01:58 PM

~Try rip-stop nylon. It's what tents are made of.

~

**krbshappy71** · 10-17-2011, 02:03 PM

I use cloth but my shower has a tub around it so the curtain is stuck inside the tub, blocking the water from splashing out.

You can try to lower your shower curtain rod (if it is a tension rod) so the bottom of your curtain sits just inside the ledge of the shower floor. We just have the rug up against the edge of the shower, in the bathroom without a tub. That way the floor isn't wet and slippery. We also use a super fluffy shaggy rug.

**lilyrose** · 10-17-2011, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

~Try rip-stop nylon. It's what tents are made of.

~

Is the rip-stop nylon also a petroleum product? I may have to look into how it's made.

Originally Posted by krbshappy71

I use cloth but my shower has a tub around it so the curtain is stuck inside the tub, blocking the water from splashing out.

You can try to lower your shower curtain rod (if it is a tension rod) so the bottom of your curtain sits just inside the ledge of the shower floor. We just have the rug up against the edge of the shower, in the bathroom without a tub. That way the floor isn't wet and slippery. We also use a super fluffy shaggy rug.

My shower is in my bathtub. Do you still get water outside the tub? Is that why you have a super fluffy shaggy rug?

**Darlene** · 10-17-2011, 02:47 PM

How about PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate). PEVA shower curtains – nontoxic and PVC-free - The Alternative Consumer

**imagine** · 10-17-2011, 03:29 PM

I have a cloth liner that we use alone. Hotels we have stay at have cloth liners as shower curtains using them alone. That is one reason we felt confident to start using one. We have used the same one for 7 years now.

I picked it up at walmart but have heard they have them at bath bath an beyond, stores like that as well.

Just make sure it is a cloth liner ( that it says on the package that you do not need to use an additional liner) some cloth ones are shower curtains and are meant to be used with a liner.

The floor doesn't get wet as we keep the liner inside the tub. If we left it out of the tub it would get the floor wet just like a vinyal one would. The shower liner does get wet to the touch but the bathroom doesn't get wet. it dries very quickly too.

Best part is when it needs cleaning I just pop it in the washer ( I use the sanitary cycle)

**ravenmaniac** · 10-17-2011, 05:45 PM

I have a cloth shower liner and I love it. It doesn't leak and when it needs to be washed I just take it down and throw it in the washing machine with a little detergent and clorox. It comes out looking great.

For me personally I'd never go back to a vinyl liner.

**Judi Dial** · 10-18-2011, 08:49 AM

Our shower curtain liner is about the only thing in this house from Walmart. We've had it about 10 years now, it is fabric with a plastic content; i don't know what kind, or how much. But I got it because I was tired of buying new liners every year or three...

We have a lot of manganese in our water that discolors everything and/or builds up. I can throw the liner in the wash with some bleach about 2 or 3 times a year and keep it acceptably clean.

After all this time, it is starting to age, and I've begun looking for another.

IHTH!

Judi

**LynnLC** · 10-18-2011, 10:01 AM

wow never knew this...Thanks.

**shoiji** · 10-18-2011, 11:20 AM

I purchased a cloth shower curtain liner at Target a few years ago. Have not had any problems with it. I use it just like the plastic ones. There is a decorative shower curtain on the outside and the cloth shower curtain line remains inside the bathtub when showering. No water on the floor. Just throw it in the wash and you are good to go. I haven't worried about buying the plastic shower curtains.

**brenda67** · 10-18-2011, 03:43 PM

I have a cloth shower liner also..I don't think you can get much greener than that..

**mndtrp** · 10-20-2011, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by shoiji

I purchased a cloth shower curtain liner at Target a few years ago. Have not had any problems with it. I use it just like the plastic ones. There is a decorative shower curtain on the outside and the cloth shower curtain line remains inside the bathtub when showering. No water on the floor. Just throw it in the wash and you are good to go. I haven't worried about buying the plastic shower curtains.

Same here.