The effect a bright, clean, tasteful shower curtain can have on your bathroom décor is easy to underestimate. It is usually the most eye- catching item in that room, and as such cannot help but be the focal point. There is a wide choice of curtains available, from plain, classic designs to bold patterns and vivid colors. To achieve a fresh airy look you could consider a plain white curtain, but many prefer to add a color scheme to their bathroom with their shower curtains. Instead of total bathroom remodeling, the easiest and quickest way to update the look of your bathroom is to choose a new shower curtain and then select some basic accessories to complement it. Make sure you choose your curtain rod and rings carefully as well or they can detract from the overall style of your bathroom.

To suit the purpose of the shower curtain, most materials used are waterproof, such as nylon, vinyl or PVC. However, for those that want the added chic of a fabric shower curtain, you can buy vinyl liners to attach to the shower side of your curtain, with the material facing out into the bathroom. Hanging the fabric panel without a waterproof liner will ensure you get a wet bathroom floor and will quickly ruin your curtain.

You can easily make your own shower curtain if you have basic sewing ability and are decorating on a budget. There will be waterproof materials available at your local home store but you may find the choice is limited to the same patterns as the ready made shower curtains. In this case, choosing a non waterproof fabric with the vinyl liner would be a good option.

Mould can easily build up on your shower curtain, as it grows quickly in warm, moist places. That faintly orange tinge and particular smell is probably familiar to most people. As well as being unsightly, mould can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems, particularly in young children, the elderly, or those that suffer from asthma. It is important to keep your shower curtain clean both for aesthetics and for health reasons.

Check your curtain instructions to see if it can be put in the washing machine. If it can, wash on as high a temperature as is recommended and add a little bleach to the wash to kill mould and germs. Otherwise just washing down your curtain with a bleach containing substance, or even with lemon juice, will help to get rid of mould and kill germs; just be sure to rinse it thoroughly before using the shower again.

To prevent the mould from building up again you should make sure there is plenty of fresh air in your bathroom. Consider having a vent installed if your bathroom does not have windows, and use it when you are in the shower. Once you have washed your curtain you could soak it in salted water before you re-hang it. This will discourage further mould growth.