Non-Toxic Shower Curtains & Liners: PVC-Free Options
That strong smell from a new vinyl shower curtain is what got me looking. I replaced ours with a cotton curtain and a washable fabric liner, and the bathroom smells like nothing now, which is exactly what I wanted.
Most cheap shower curtains and liners are PVC (vinyl) or PEVA. That "new curtain" smell is volatile chemicals coming off the plastic, and PVC can contain phthalates. A hot, steamy bathroom is about the worst place for that. Fabric curtains skip the issue entirely.
Your options
- Cotton or hemp curtain alone: the most natural option. A tight weave slows the water down, and the curtain gets damp but dries.
- Fabric liner: woven polyester liners repel water better than cotton. Polyester is still plastic, but it doesn't off-gas like vinyl and can go in the washing machine.
- Both: a cotton curtain outside and a fabric liner inside, which is what we do.
Cotton & hemp curtains
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Illustrative photos, not the actual products. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Bean Products White Cotton Shower Curtain, 70" x 72"
Woven cotton with no plastic film and no waterproofing chemicals.
Why we picked these
- Bean Products White Cotton Shower Curtain, 70" x 72" Best cotton curtain Woven cotton with no plastic film and no waterproofing chemicals. The tight weave slows water down, and it can be used alone without a liner. Worth knowing: Cotton gets damp, so spread it out after showers and wash it every few weeks to prevent mildew.
- Bean Products Natural Cotton Shower Curtain, 70" x 72" Unbleached option The same cotton curtain in an unbleached natural color. A nice warm look and one less processing step.
- Bean Products Natural Hemp Shower Stall Curtain, 54" x 72" For shower stalls Hemp is naturally resistant to mildew and gets softer as you wash it. This narrow size fits stand-up shower stalls.
- 100% Pure Cotton Shower Curtain, White, 72" x 72" Hotel-style cotton A thicker, hotel-style 100% cotton curtain that looks nice and washes well. Worth knowing: Pair it with a liner if your shower sprays straight at the curtain.
Fabric liners (instead of vinyl)
Illustrative photos, not the actual products. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Barossa Design Fabric Shower Curtain Liners, 2-Pack
Lightweight polyester fabric liners instead of vinyl, with magnets at the bottom.
Why we picked these
- Barossa Design Fabric Shower Curtain Liners, 2-Pack Best value liner Lightweight polyester fabric liners instead of vinyl, with magnets at the bottom. Two in a pack means one can be in the wash while the other is up. Worth knowing: Polyester is still plastic, but it's a woven fabric that doesn't give off that 'new shower curtain' smell vinyl does.
- N&Y HOME Fabric Shower Curtain Liner with Magnets Hotel-quality liner A popular water-repellent fabric liner that's machine washable. A clear step up from a vinyl liner.
- ALYVIA SPRING Fabric Shower Curtain Liner, 72" x 72" Soft fabric liner Soft, lightweight fabric liner with three bottom magnets. It can also be used on its own as a simple curtain.
- Recycled Polyester Fabric Shower Curtain Liner, 72" x 72" Recycled fabric A fabric liner made from recycled polyester, sold as non-plastic film. Washable, with bottom magnets.
Fabric liners often come with water-repellent finishes. If the listing doesn't say what the finish is, wash it once before hanging it.
Stainless steel hooks
Illustrative photos, not the actual products. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Rubbermaid Stainless Steel S-Shaped Shower Hooks, Set of 12
Rustproof stainless steel S-hooks that fit standard rods.
Why we picked these
- Rubbermaid Stainless Steel S-Shaped Shower Hooks, Set of 12 Simple steel hooks Rustproof stainless steel S-hooks that fit standard rods. Steel hooks don't crack like plastic rings.
- Uigos Stainless Steel Shower Curtain Rings with Roller Balls, 12 Smooth-glide rings Stainless rings with roller balls so the curtain slides open easily. Nice with heavier cotton curtains.
- Gidse Double-Sided Stainless Steel Shower Hooks, 12 Curtain + liner hooks Double hooks hold a cotton curtain and a fabric liner on separate sides, so you can take either down to wash.
- Gidse Metal S-Shaped Shower Curtain Hooks, 12 Budget metal hooks Inexpensive rust-resistant metal S-hooks. They also work as kitchen hooks.
Keeping mildew away
- Spread the curtain out after each shower so it dries flat instead of bunched up.
- Run the fan or crack a window for 20 minutes after showers.
- Wash curtains and liners every 2–4 weeks with a little baking soda or oxygen bleach. See our non-toxic cleaning guide for simple supplies.
- A cotton curtain usually lasts a long time. Replace it if mildew spots won't wash out.
