How can I reuse or recycle … shower curtains?
We had shower curtain rings a few weeks ago but what about the curtains themselves?
Our shower curtain is getting a bit passed it – it’s torn at some of the ring points, there is something that looks like hair dye along the bottom (even though neither of us dye our hair but whatever, it won’t come off) and mildew has well and truly taken over. We clean off the black mould regularly but the times between scrubbing it clean seems to be getting shorter and shorter – we think the slightly rough fabric is to blame.
Anyway, we’re going to look out for a new one – or get one of those solid screen things since they’re easier to clean. But what can we do with the old one?
Especially, any ideas that can make use of the fact most curtains have a fun or pretty pattern on them?
(Photo by danzo08)
First, you can repair the torn holes at the top by putting clear packing tape over the area and then punching a new hole. Second, you can wash plastic shower curtains in the machine with a towel or two for friction. Carefully remove when done (they tend to drip water) and hang up. I don’t know if you can salvage yours if the mold has taken over–you could try a couple of washings with bleach.
As to recycling, how about tablecloths for picnics or messy projects, placemats out of the good bits, a rug protector for under a child’s chair or the pet’s food bowl. I think you could sew the plastic and use it for aprons, bibs, bags for wet swimsuits and so on.
We use a plastic sheet around the tropical fish tank when we’re changing the water to protect the carpet because there are always drips and spills. If anyone HAD a tropical fish tank this is where you could use it. :D
We have people that have used their old shower curtains for drop cloths, small table tops and small wall decor. The wall decor is easy to do by simply using a plain canvas for a painting and wrapping the material around it. You can use various shapes as well by cutting cardboard into squares, rectangles, circles etc and gluing a batting to the cardboard and wrapping the material from the shower curtain around that. People also use the material from a shower curtain to wrap picture frames.
We use one as a tarpaulin for the compost made in our bins, that is made but that we are not yet ready to use. We tie opposite corners together and place a brick or two in strategic places to close gaps and to stop cats getting in.
We save one to line the car boot when taking anything yukky to the dump, like prunings that won’t compost (we don’t have a shredder).
They are also useful to protect floors and furniture when decorating or moving.
You could cut one down to make a wash basin curtain or wash bags.
great for making outdoor cushion covers. or a beach bag…
Use the old shower curtain when you are pruning rose bushes, evergreens, ect. You can put the cut limbs on the plastic, and then drag it to your compost bin or shredder, or use it to wrap the thorny branches like a burrito to take to the dump.
I use the old material type, shower curtains as beach mats. they are large, waterproof(if the sand is damp), light to carry, fold up small and usually the design is inkeeping with the ‘beach’ look.
We’ve used ours as drop cloths for painting/drywall projects, to keep in the car to put under the picnic blanket, as a mattress protector under the fitted sheet of our children’s beds (not for babies though), as painting smocks for the kids to use when making messy art projects (just cut the curtain in 1/2 or 1/4’s and then cut a hole for the head to pop through).
My kids us all my old shower curtains for making camps in the garden. Far better than using sheets as, if it starts to rain it doesn’t matter. In fact they love to be able to stay out in the rain and keep dry.
That’s a fab idea- hope to try that one.
If its clean enough (but maybe a little damaged, patch it up and use it as a “protective throw” for over your washing hanging on the line when it rains.
Rather than bringing all the clothes back in only to have the sun return 10mins later, just dash out, throw over the sheet and then remove when the rain has past!
When washing a curtain in a washing machine, add a cup of baking soda. The goof will come off.
Make kites.
Keep in a trunk of your car for emergencies.
What kind of emergencies?
We use our old clear vinyl shower curtain, clean it up, and tightly staple it a piece of plywood. Our son uses it as an outdoor drawing board. It’s basically a big dry erase board.
Put it on the floor or on your bed…add warm massage oil…and have some spicy FUN! (use your imagination)
<3
Use a vinyl shower curtain to recover an umbella.
I make drawstring diaper/nappy bags & use old shower curtains as linings!