Your bathroom is always wet and damp, unless you shower once a month. Then you could get yourself some fancy grunge curtains. But if you actually do use your shower, you know that there’s no better option for you than a plastic shower curtain. But washing anything plastic, including your shower mat, could be challenging. You can’t just toss it in the washing machine along with your regular laundry.  That’s why many just wait till their plastic shower curtains get completely consumed by mold and mildew, or be weighed down by accumulated soap until they throw it away and get a new one.

If you don’t like throwing pretty shower curtains away so easily, here’s some good news for you: There’s a quick and simple way to clean your plastic shower curtain and make it last a lot longer.

Step 1: Put your dirty shower curtain and plastic shower mat in the washing machine. (You didn’t see that coming, did you?)

Step 2: Toss in two towels to prevent the plastic curtains from crinkling, and then add some regular detergent.  Put a cup of baking soda and some tea tree oil (latter is optional).

Step 3: Wash on the gentle cycle.

Step 4: Air dry your plastic shower curtain and shower mat. You can dry the towels in the dryer.

Now you can use your plastic shower curtain for a longer time. Plus, washing your plastic shower curtain also helps you minimize the growth of bacteria in the shower area.