When it comes to updating or decorating your bathroom, a simple and relatively inexpensive fix is to replace the shower curtain. Many are part of a line of themed bathroom items, so purchasing the additional accessories (soap dispenser, tissue box, toothbrush holder) can really breathe new life into your bathroom. And it's cheaper than bathroom remodeling!

Choosing a Curtain

Shower curtain design choices abound, from those sporting whimsical rubber ducks to those featuring formal scrollwork prints on velvet. Most commonly, they're made of vinyl or water-repellent nylon. If they're fabric, they're meant to be used with an inexpensive vinyl liner.

They're generally hung on shower curtain rods with rings, self-tabs or for a more contemporary look, the actual curtain is threaded on the rod through large grommets built into the vinyl.

If you have a particular fabric or style in mind, and you have basic sewing skills, you could even make your own. This would then be hung with a vinyl liner.

Cleaning the Curtains

Eventually, your shower curtain will need to be cleaned. Your shower curtain is prime real estate for mold to grow, as it multiplies in moist, damp environments. Mold can contribute to health issues such as asthma and allergies. Keeping the curtain clean and free of mold and bacteria can help prevent illness. If disposing of it and buying a new one isn't feasible, you have a couple of options:

1) If possible, put your shower curtain in the washing machine. Some curtains can be washed in a machine, others can't. Check your label. If it can, wash it in hot water with detergent and bleach to kill the bacteria. Remove it from the washing machine, soak it in a salt water rinse (to impede future mold growth) and hang it back on the shower curtain.

2) Wash the curtain in lemon juice and dry it in the sun. The lemon reacts with the mold and kills it.

Once your shower curtain is sparkling clean, keep it that way. Check the ventilation in your bathroom. Poor ventilation can encourage mold growth. If your bathroom doesn't have a vent, keep a window open while showering to promote air circulation.

Shower curtains come in all colors, textures and prints. Add your own personal touch to your bathroom by finding the one that's right for you.