Shower curtains are one of those everyday items that probably affect your day more than you realize. After all, you probably confront your shower curtain every morning, when you’re both naked and sleepy. It can be a welcoming gateway to your own personal spa, or a mildewed portal to hell.
If you’re dealing with the latter, it may be time for a new one, but shopping for one can be more complicated than it should be. Clear plastic or drapery-like fabric? Do you need a liner? Is that overwhelming plastic stench bad for me?
We tried 10 models in a variety of materials to figure out the best options, taking into account budget, aesthetics, and environmental impact.
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Why you should trust me
I’ve been writing about consumer products for more than two decades, and have written product testing reports for a wide variety of newspapers and magazines. My first test is always to unbox the product and see if I can figure everything out without reading the directions. I regularly attend industry shows to stay up to speed on new products for the home, learn about new features, and try them for myself.
How I tested shower curtains
Over the course of three months, I installed and used 10 shower curtains in my windowless, fanless NYC apartment including those made from plastic, cotton, polyester, linen and hemp.
I tested the fabric models without liners, taking a 10-minute shower and not being careful about how splashy I was being. The next morning, I inspected for dampness and recorded the results.
I cleaned each one according to manufacturers’ directions, whether that was machine-washing and drying it, or just spraying it down.
All prices are accurate at the time of publication.
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Best overall:
Pottery Barn Waffle Weave Cotton Shower Curtain
$99 at Pottery Barn Why we love it: Waffle weaves are very popular for shower curtains, and this was our favorite among them. It’s quite a bit heavier than the others, which means it drapes really nicely and looks upscale, even after washing and drying. Considering its weight, I expected it to be among the most waterlogged curtains, but was surprised to find it only slightly damp along the bottom hem the morning after a shower. It comes with large grommets across the top, so you don’t need separate curtain rings, and is Oeko-Tex certified, which means it has passed tests showing it to be harmless to human health.
It’s a shame that … before laundering it had a slight chemical smell, but it was mild and disappeared once washed.
Material: 100% Cotton, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified
Size: 72in x 72in
Care instructions: Machine-wash in warm water, gentle cycle. Use only non-chlorine bleach, if needed. Tumble dry on low heat; remove promptly. Warm iron as needed.
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Best budget:
Target Waffle Weave Shower Curtain – Threshold
$25 at Target Why we love it: Target offers the most popular type of shower curtain (white waffle weave) at a surprisingly good price. It’s slightly heavier than the lightest linen or cotton models we tested, although it is not quite as hefty as our winner. (This does mean that it lets through a bit more light, something to appreciate if your shower doesn’t have an overhead light.) It is made with 60% Oeko-Tex certified cotton, and has buttonhole openings for the hooks and no magnets, but has enough weight to keep it hanging nicely. With nine available colors, you can definitely find one to go with your bathroom decor.
It’s a shame that … despite containing 40% polyester, it did not dry quickly, and was one of the dampest in the morning.
Material: Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified cotton and polyester (60% cotton, 40% polyester)
Size: 72in x 72in; also comes in a 72in x 84in extra-long version
Care instructions: Machine-wash, tumble dry (no temperatures specified)
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Best plastic shower curtain:
Quiet Town Sun Shower 2x2 in Chocolate
$52 at Quiet Town Home Why we love it: For a plastic option, this curtain has decent environmental cred because it’s made of recycled EVA rather than PVC, and the packaging is compostable. Crystal clear, with a bold graphic pattern and nickel-plated grommets, it’s also nice to look at. And due to its heavy weight, it doesn’t have that flimsy, crinkly feel that some plastic curtains do. Large, groovy loopy rings are included.
It’s a shame that … even though it hangs pretty well, it would be nice if it had magnets to help keep it in place.
Material: 30% recycled EVA and 70% virgin EVA
Size: 72in x 72in
Care instructions: At the first sign of soapy residue, wipe clean with a gentle spray cleaner. (They recommend Method All Purpose Surface Spray, which I tried and it works really well.) Extreme heat (temperatures above 120F) will melt the EVA.
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Best liner:
Wayfair Basics Microban Protected Peva Solid Color Single Shower Curtain Liner
$17.99 at Wayfair Why we love it: Although not quite as cheap as the Ikea liner we tested, this Wayfair model has a couple of advantages: it comes in four options (clear, frosted, gray, or white) and has weighted magnets on the bottom, which help it stick to the tub. It is also a little clearer and less crinkly than some other plastics, and has anti-microbial protection as well. You could even use it alone, without a curtain.
It’s a shame that … it is slightly narrower than the other curtains, so you have to keep it taut to make sure it spans the full shower.
Material: Peva with rust-resistant metal grommets
Size: 72in x 70in
Care instructions: Spot clean
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Best budget linen:
Quince European Linen Shower Curtain
$49.90 at Quince Why we love it: Linen often has two major issues: high cost and major wrinkling. Both are solved by Quince’s under-$50 shower curtain. It’s both lightweight and smooth, with stitched buttonholes along the top hem for inserting rings. It also dries very quickly (the second fastest in the lineup) when used without a liner. The thinner fabric lets through a bit more light than some of the others, which can be an issue for fabric curtains in general.
It’s a shame that … you have to hand-wash it and then hang it up to dry.
Material: 100% garment-washed European 150-gsm (grams per square meter) flax
Size: 72in x 72in
Care instructions: Soak in lukewarm water for 15 to 30 minutes, gently hand-wash with a neutral detergent, and avoid using bleach. Rinse thoroughly. Hang to dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area. Avoid direct sunlight and high-heat ironing.
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Best complete package:
Brooklinen Linen Shower Curtain
$92.65 at Brooklinen Call it shabby chic if you must: this medium-weight linen model has a more casual vibe than either the waffle weaves or the other linen offerings. It has stitched buttonhole openings across the top for rings, and comes with its own (separate) 100% Peva liner, which means you don’t have to buy a separate one – and even a set of 12 rings. In our test, it dried fairly well overnight, although not completely.
It’s a shame that … it tied for the most wrinkly after washing and drying. If you don’t like that look, you’ll need to break out the iron.
Material: Curtain: 100% linen from Portugal; liner: Peva
Size: 72in x 72in
Care instructions: Curtain: Machine-wash cold with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low, remove promptly. Low iron if needed; liner: rinse and wipe.
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Best of the rest
For an inexpensive liner:
Ikea Näckten Shower Curtain, clear
$3.49 at Ikea If you want to use a liner with your linen or cotton curtain, this is about as inexpensive as you’re going to get. It is made from Peva, and has grommets across the top, but no magnets. Unlike some plastic curtains, it’s not too crinkly.
Why it didn’t make the cut: It doesn’t have magnets along the bottom, so it’s less easy to keep anchored at the sides, and its thin material also curled at the sides.
Material: 100% Peva
Size: 71in x 71in
Care instructions: Do not wash. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry. Do not iron. Do not dry clean. (Got it? Just don’t.)
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For an elegant option:
Magic Linen Waterproof Linen Shower Curtain
$106.40 at Magic Linen The linen is a bit more smooth and elegant feeling, is Oeko-Tex certified, and is pre-washed so it starts out soft, with stitched buttonholes at the top. It comes with its own snap-in lining, which is polyester rather than Peva and feels more fabric-like. It ends up being quite substantial so it hangs nicely. It also comes in five solid colors, which is pretty unusual for linen shower curtains.
It didn’t make the cut because: The snap-in liner adds so many snaps that it adds quite a lot of plastic to the equation, and you’re supposed to wash the curtain and liner separately, which adds a step. Fifteen buttonholes also mean you have to buy two sets of rings.
Material: 100% European flax, stone washed, Oeko-Tex certified
Size: 72in x 72in
Care instructions: Wash separately in lukewarm water (104F) or even cold water in a gentle machine cycle with the mild detergent. No bleach or detergents with color brighteners. Tumble dry on low heat. Leave a bit damp and hang or lay flat to finish the drying process.
The waterproof polyester layer can be washed separately from linen in lukewarm water (104F) or cold water on a gentle machine cycle.
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For a waffle-free option:
West Elm Swirl Shower Curtain
$45–$49 at West Elm If you’re looking for a cotton curtain without a waffle weave, this particular pattern is striking but not overwhelming, and comes in two colors. It’s Oeko-Tex certified and made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, with buttonhole openings at the top.
It didn’t make the cut because: The dye ran the first couple of times I showered, and again when I washed it. This seemed odd for something meant to get wet, but it didn’t stain anything and eventually went away.
Material: 100% cotton, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, made in a Fair Trade Certified factory
Size: 72in x 74in
Care instructions: Machine-wash warm, only non-chlorine bleach when needed. Tumble dry medium. Warm iron as needed.
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The Guardian also tested
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What to know about shower curtain materials
PVC bad, (P)eva better
Although most companies have switched to less-toxic materials, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) shower curtains are still out there. Do not get one. They are considered the most toxic type of plastic, and they produce chlorine byproducts (such as dioxins which, according to the World Health Organization, can be linked to health issues), contain phthalates, and release VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can also be linked to health problems.
Peva and EVA ([poly]ethylene vinyl acetate) don’t produce the toxic byproducts associated with chlorine, don’t contain phthalates, and are lower in VOCs than PVC. They’re not perfect: all VOCs can be potentially harmful.
Nylon and polyester about the same
Nylon and polyester are similar to Peva on the health front. You can find polyester models that feel more like fabric than a plastic sheet, and they’re typically quite affordable. Laundering polyester can release microplastics into the water supply. There is some debate about whether Peva curtains do this when you’re taking a shower, but it stands to reason they release at least some.
Cotton, linen and hemp
From a health and environmental perspective, natural fibers are the best choice because they’re free from plastics, and therefore the toxic byproducts and VOCs.
The downside to natural fiber curtains is that they require good air circulation. Otherwise, they can stay wet and develop mold, mildew, and smelly bacteria. Linen and hemp are naturally antimicrobial, but they can still get icky in perpetually damp bathrooms. Then you’re back to needing a plastic liner.
To keep a natural curtain nice, you’ll have to wash it often. Depending on how much use it gets and bathroom airflow, that can range from once a week to every two weeks.
Things to look for in shower curtains
While natural fabrics are a great choice, choosing an organic one is even better, since they cause fewer environmental problems in their production. They are more expensive, however.
Fabrics that are labeled as Oeko-Tex certified have been tested and are confirmed to have passed safety tests for harmful chemicals and be “harmless to human health”.
Avoid fabrics labeled “water resistant” as they may be treated with forever chemicals, also known as Pfas.
Grommets and buttonholes
Conventional shower curtains come with 12 holes at the top to accommodate shower rings, which will glide on your shower bar to open and close the curtain. These holes take the form of either buttonholes (as you’d find on a shirt) or grommets (as you’d find on a tarp). While buttonholes have a more casual, no-show presence, they can eventually stretch out or fray. Grommets are sturdier, and give a crisp, tidy presence.
Weights and magnets
Some curtains come with weights attached to the bottom that help them hang more tautly. For fabric curtains, these are handy but not entirely necessary, and a lot of models don’t have them. If the fabric is heavy enough, it really doesn’t make a difference. Billowy plastic curtains, however, benefit from the extra heft. Some weights are magnetized, which will stick to iron-based bathtubs and help them stay in place.
How to care for your shower curtain
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for laundering. Most fabric options can be machine-washed (in cold or warm water) and dried (on low). Some (especially linen) might need ironing on a low setting, unless you don’t mind the rumpled look. Plastic curtains should be sprayed with a mild cleaner and rinsed as soon as you notice water spots forming. If you don’t want to use a commercial product, a solution of white vinegar and water can be used.
Pull your curtain fully across the bar when not in use, rather than leaving it bunched up to one side. The extra airflow will help it dry out more quickly, and prevent mold and mildew.
