How to Choose a Shower Curtain and Liner
A shower curtain is one of the cheapest things in a bathroom and one of the most visible. Getting the size and the liner right solves nearly every complaint people have.
Standard sizes
- Standard curtain: 72 by 72 in, fits most tubs
- Stall curtain: 54 by 78 in, for a narrow shower enclosure
- Extra long: 72 by 84 in or 72 by 96 in, for a high mounted rod or a raised ceiling look
- Extra wide: 108 in, for a double or corner tub
The hem should end 4 to 6 in above the floor for an outside curtain, and the liner should sit inside the tub with a few inches of overlap so water runs back in.
Always use a separate liner
A decorative fabric curtain is not waterproof, and a single waterproof curtain wears out faster and looks flat. Two layers means the pretty one stays dry, and you replace the cheap one when it discolours.
Liner materials
- PEVA and EVA: chlorine free plastics, no strong new smell, affordable, wipe clean
- Polyester fabric liner: machine washable, drapes better, dries faster than plastic, the best value long term
- PVC vinyl: the cheapest, heaviest odour when new, best avoided if it bothers you
Look for a magnetic or weighted hem so the liner stays put instead of billowing inward. It is a small feature that changes the daily experience.
Fighting mildew
Mildew grows on soap residue clinging to the liner, not on the plastic itself. Pull the curtain fully closed after every shower so it dries flat instead of sitting in damp folds. Wash a fabric liner monthly on a warm cycle with a couple of towels for scrubbing action. Run the extractor fan for 15 minutes after showering.
Hooks and rings
Roller ball hooks glide and are worth the small extra cost. Reinforced grommets or a double layer at the header stop the classic tear at the top hole. If the curtain has plain punched holes, curtain hole reinforcement rings cost very little and add years.
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