If your shower curtain is plastic, chances are it is made from PVC - polyvinyl chloride. Since this is the stuff we don't want in our kid's toys or in every day plastics why would you want to shower next to it every day? Eliminate PVC from your bathroom by getting a fabric shower curtain instead.

Get a shower curtain made from a natural fiber such as cotton or hemp. Hemp is more mold resistant and dries faster than other natural fabrics. Depending on the type of fabric shower curtain you get you'll probably also need a liner (nylon and polyester work well for this purpose.)

A fabric shower curtain is also a lot easier to clean than its vinyl counterpart since you can take it down and wash it when the mold begins to grow. You can also protect your new shower curtain by spraying it with a water sealer such as AFM Safecoat, or by spraying Method's shower spray daily to keep mildew away.

You can find fabric shower curtains and liners in most home goods stores and places like Wal-Mart and Target. And while it is a little more expensive than the five-dollar plastic version, it will last a lot longer and there are a wide range of price points available to fit every budget.

Amy says: I recently replaced my moldy, powder blue, vinyl shower curtain with a cotton curtain and a nylon liner. It not only makes me feel better about getting rid of some PVC in the house, but it also makes the bathroom feel a little more classy. Plus, it's so easy to clean since I throw it in the wash with my towels.

PVC - Center for Health and Environmental Justice

Grist: Ask Umbra "Your Finest Shower"

Treehugger: How to Protect Your Natural Fiber Shower Curtain

Treehugger: Q&A Non-Viny Shower Curtain Liners

Ideal Bite

Showering w/Green Options:

Weekly DIY: Solar Shower
How to take a green shower
Tip o' the Day: Singing a Shorter Shower Song
Tip o' the Day: Shampoo Skipping
Tip o' the Day: Go PVC Free

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