Washing keeps curtains good as new

As I travel from job site to job site or when on vacation, I always look at bathroom shower curtains.

You would think they would be the cleanest items in the house because of all of the water and soap, but unfortunately they're not.

It doesn't make a difference whether the curtains are vinyl, cloth, or plastic; body oils and soap scum cling to them making them look terrible. Most of us get disgusted, rip them down, and either throw them away or use them as storage covers. This practice cost a lot of money over time. If your curtains are plastic or vinyl. you can continue to renew them until they rip.

All you need to do is take down the curtain, remove the rings, place them into the washing machine, add a cup of baking soda to the wash cycle. When the machine turns to the rinse cycle add a cup of bleach. After the machine stops take the curtains out of the washer and hang to dry. I generally hang them back up in the bathroom wet and let them air dry there.

The next time you buy a shower curtain, please consider buying a cloth one; they wash up easier, come in great colors, look outstanding after being washed, and it helps our environment when we finally throw them away.

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabric and paints before using any chemical compounds. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, please call Ed at 255-2266 or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Ed Madan, certified executive housekeeper, Northwest Environmental Services.