Everything You Need To Know About Mildew-Resistant Shower Curtains (And Where To Buy Them)

You likely don't think about your shower curtain until it becomes obvious you need to replace it. When it starts to show its age, it's time to throw it out and start anew. There are many things you should consider when picking out a shower curtain, and one of them is mildew resistance. Mildew is a type of fungus that typically grows in damp showers or other high-humidity places, and, unfortunately, your shower curtain is a prime location for mildew to grow.

Mildew-resistant shower curtains are made from materials like vinyl, polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which are water-resistant, therefore preventing the growth of mildew spores. You don't need to have a chemistry degree to know how these materials can help stop mildew in its tracks — below we cover everything you need to know about mildew-resistant shower curtains and where you can buy them, so you can get back to enjoying a mildew-free shower experience.

Why are some shower curtains mildew-resistant and some are not? The details are in the material it's made of and the treatments the curtain has gone through. Mildew-resistant shower curtains are typically made from vinyl, PEVA, or EVA. These materials are naturally water-resistant, and because of that, water doesn't sit on them long enough to create a mildew situation. Other curtains can be treated with a water-repellent coating to allow water to slide off of them, or they can be treated with an antimicrobial coating to stop microorganisms from growing in the first place.

You still want to help prevent mold and mildew buildup on your shower curtain, even if you have a mildew-resistant one. Having a shower curtain that is too long or too wide will harbor bacteria, and even if it doesn't turn into a full-on mildew attack, it can turn into a smelly mess. So make sure that you measure how big your shower is before buying a new curtain for it, or trim it down to size. Be sure to clean your shower curtain regularly, allowing it to dry thoroughly each time.

The good news is, as a shopper, you can buy mildew-resistant shower curtains at just about any home retailer or big box store. National retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, The Home Depot, and many others carry shower curtains that are mildew-resistant — you'll just want to look for the EVA, PEVA, and polyester options, or ones that have a special treatment on them. Take this Mrs Awesome Clear Shower Curtain Liner as an example. Mildew-resistant shower curtains come in a variety of thicknesses and quality, which is something you'll want to consider when choosing one for your bathroom. Lightweight options are best for same families (where they won't be used many times a day), whereas busy households should consider heavy-duty options, which are more durable.

If you choose to have a fabric shower curtain to liven up your bathroom, then having a shower curtain liner is necessary so your fabric curtain doesn't get wet and mildewy. In this circumstance, you'd want to purchase an EVA or PEVA shower curtain liner. Just like shower curtains, these liners come in a variety of thicknesses to meet your family's needs.