Why It Might Be High Time To Swap Out Your Shower Curtain

mbg Senior Sustainability Editor By Emma Loewe
mbg Senior Sustainability Editor
Why It Might Be High Time To Swap Out Your Shower Curtain

Shower curtains are one of those things that we often use (at least once a day, hopefully!) and hardly ever think about. But this overlooked bathroom fixture has actually been associated with some pretty nasty stuff over the years. Here's what you should look out for when you're in the market for a new one.

The one thing that should never be in your shower curtain: PVC.

PVC—or polyvinyl chloride—is a type of plastic used in vinyl flooring, insulation, and, you guessed it, shower curtains. It's strong but also flexible. Serious doubts about the widely used material started to surface over a decade ago, when people complained of headaches and dizziness after smelling the pungently chemical odor of their new PVC shower curtains.

These complaints are part of what prompted Mike Schade and his team at The Center for Health, Environment & Justice to investigate what exactly was going on in PVC shower curtains. Back in 2008, they set out to buy five different curtains, test them for certain chemicals, and study if and how these chemicals made their way into the surrounding air over the course of 28 days.

"We found that one new curtain on its own can release over 100 chemicals into indoor air, some of them persisting in the air for at least 28 days," Schade, who is now a campaign director at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, explains. The shower curtains had low levels of chemicals associated with everything from endocrine disruption to respiratory issues. All of them also contained phthalates: hormone disrupters that are known to linger in the environment.

The 2008 study only tested how the shower curtains affected the surrounding air when dry—not when exposed to hot, humid temperatures like they would be in an actual shower. Schade predicts that these conditions could only stir up more toxicity.

"I think there's a very good chance that vinyl shower curtains—even after you've had one in your home for months—continue to off-gas and release phthalates... Research has shown that heat and humidity can increase the release of chemicals from PVC products."

There are also environmental concerns associated with PVC across every stage of the material's life cycle. "When they're manufactured, they can pose significant risks to the workers and communities where they're made. When they're used in homes, they can be a significant source of indoor air pollution. And finally, when they're disposed of in landfills or incinerators, [they can release] dioxins that are considered the most toxic man-made chemical on the planet."

Though many companies did vow to ban or decrease sales of PVC shower curtains following the 2008 report, Schade says he does still see them on shelves, especially at budget retailers like dollar stores.


What to look for in a healthier shower curtain.

Unlike many dangerous chemicals that go unlabeled on products, PVC is almost always discernible on shower curtains. If you see one labeled "PVC" or "vinyl," steer clear and move on to other options.

PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) have arisen as PVC alternatives over the years, and though these don't contain phthalates, they can still off-gas and release chemicals into the environment over time.

"It's not as egregious [as PVC], but I still don't think it's a good alternative," Tasha Stoiber Ph.D., a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group who specializes in environmental chemistry, says of PEVA curtains.

She also recommends skipping any curtains labeled "antimicrobial" since they're usually treated with a lot of unnecessary chemicals that don't even work very well. (You're better off just washing your curtain regularly.)

Her favorite healthier materials for shower curtains are tightly woven cottons or linens—though it tends to be more expensive. "The downside is they're not going to be entirely waterproof. It will take some time for them to dry, and they might get moldy." Polyester is another popular option that's less likely to get moldy over time. Though it's a synthetic material, Stoiber says it's still worlds better than a PVC. Polyester is also commonly used in shower curtain liners, which are good for those who have a cotton or linen curtain and want to protect it from soaking up water and getting moldy.

A few highly rated options made from these cleaner materials:


A nontoxic shower curtain cleaning routine that protects against mold and mildew.

It's important to clean your shower curtain regularly—especially if it's made from a natural material. And no, the water from the shower doesn't count! You're better off throwing it in the washing machine with a mixture that's equal parts baking soda and powdered laundry detergent. Once a month, wash your curtain on a high-heat setting and be sure it air dries completely before getting wet again. This will help prevent mold and mildew from forming.

One last bathroom best practice: Be sure to keep your humidity in check after you run your shower. "Ventilating your bathroom is always important," Stoiber says. "Open the window, turn on the fan, and make sure your bathroom dries out. Remove that moisture to make sure your shower curtain can dry."



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