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Apr 156 min read

A roundup of shower curtains that aren't toxic sheets of plastic



Serratia marcescens. That's the pinkish bacteria that thrives in damp areas and it thrived on my vinyl shower curtains. After repeated spraying, soaking, scrubbing, and laundering, this unwelcomed guest would eventually refuse to leave.


I didn't realize there was a much bigger problem than that annoying pink film. Conventional shower curtains are made from PVC (poly-vinyl chloride), which Greenpeace considers the most environmentally damaging plastic and one of the most toxic substances on the planet. It contains dioxins, furans, bisphenol-A (BPA), and phthalates—by-products of chlorine that are linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, immunodeficiency disorders, endocrine and hormone disruption, diabetes, and asthma—and heat from a hot shower releases these and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air.


When the time came for a replacement, I was loathe to buy another toxic sheet of plastic that would eventually end up in a landfill. I wanted a healthier, durable, and sustainable option that was preferably plastic-free and I found plenty to choose from. (See my recommendations below.)


Natural fabric options

Natural fabrics are biodegradable and include hemp, linen, and cotton. These strong fabrics are machine washable, but it's best to let them air dry to avoid shrinkage. Fabric curtains should be wrung out after use to remove excess water and they should be washed every few weeks to remove the buildup of soap residue that can lead to mold and mildew. While you don't need a separate liner with a natural fabric curtain, a liner can extend its life, especially if your bathroom isn't well ventilated. You can optionally wax or apply linseed oil to your curtain for additional waterproofing, but you'll need to reapply the treatment every 1 or 2 years, and waxed curtains aren't machine washable and will need to be spot cleaned instead. (I'm too lazy for this level of upkeep and didn't find it necessary.)


Hemp: Best overall

  • Hemp fabric is naturally antibacterial, repels water, dries quickly, and is mold- and mildew-resistant.

  • Hemp is fast-growing, isn't water intensive, and produces high yields relative to land use.

  • Hemp is a regenerative crop that helps improve soil nutrients and requires no pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. It's considered carbon-negative because it absorbs more CO2 than it releases during production.


Linen: Close second, usually most expensive

  • Linen is lightweight and dries quickly. It repels water but it isn't mold-resistant so it's best suited for well-ventilated bathrooms.

  • Similar to hemp, organic linen is one of the most sustainable fabrics you can choose. It's made from flax, a crop that isn't water intensive and requires no herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers.


Cotton: Still a fine choice

  • Cotton is durable and easy to care for, but it's best suited for well-ventilated bathrooms since it takes a while to dry and isn't mold resistant.

  • Look for organic fair-trade cotton; conventional cotton is both water and chemical intensive, leading to drought and water contamination, and it often involves child labor and farmer exploitation.


Non-PVC synthetic fabric options

If you're not sold on the idea of a natural fiber curtain, there are synthetic options that are better than PVC, but they'll all be made of plastic and will likely contain VOCs. The best options will be polyester that is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, meaning it's tested safely against over 1000 toxic chemicals, or made from GRS (Global Recycled Standard)-certified recycled plastic. With reservations, PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate), sometimes called EVA, is also a better choice than PVC.


PEVA is considered a less toxic alternative to PVC, since it doesn't contain all the toxic by-products of chlorine, although it may contain BPAs. It's still a bit of an unknown: PEVA hasn't been researched enough to understand its chemical makeup, toxicity levels, and long-term effects on human health. Some claim that PEVA biodegrades since it contains plant-based acetate, but even so it would require a commercial facility and it would still break down to create microplastics. PEVA is more recyclable than PVC, but whether it's accepted depends on your local recycling facility. To prolong the life of PEVA curtains, handwashing is recommended and they should not be placed in the dryer.


Recommendations

To come up with this list, I looked for highly rated curtains that met most if not all of the criteria I had in mind:

  • Organic fabric, preferably third-party certified by OEKO-TEX® or GOTS 

  • Tightly woven fabric made with low-impact dyes

  • Machine washable

  • Non-toxic: No PVC, no PFAS, and no DWR (durable water repellent) coatings, which contain PFAS

I've included options across multiple price points to accommodate different budgets, and I've included some better-than-PVC synthetic options for those who are set against a natural fabric shower curtain. As can be expected, the synthetic options are also the cheapest.


My Bean Products shower curtain doesn't make a statement but it does its job well and it's not toxic plastic


  • Hemp, linen, cotton, and GOTS-certified cotton options in mostly natural colors

  • Three sizes (74"x74", 54"x74", 36"x74")

  • Made in US

  • MSRP: $49.95-$149.95

  • I chose the organic cotton option, pictured above. It has a nice weight, dries fairly quickly, and is still holding up great after several years of use and washes. It did shrink slightly after the first wash (in cold water), and I always let it air dry. Next time I will likely upgrade to a hemp version, though.


  • Organic hemp, linen, and cotton options in a range of colors

  • Three sizes (73.5"x72", 48"x72", 24"x72")

  • Natural wax waterproofing bar can be added to your order

  • Sourced and made in US and EU

  • MSRP: $55-$109

  • Organic OEKO-TEX-certified hemp option in 4 colors

  • One size (72"x72")

  • Made in Canada

  • MSRP: $96

  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified European flax in 10 colors

  • Two sizes (72"x74" and 72"x84")

  • Sourced in EU and made in China at a Fair Trade Certified™ facility

  • MSRP: $89-$99


  • Belgian flax, linen/cotton blend, and cotton options, many OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified and in an array of styles, colors, and patterns

  • One size (72"x72")

  • Many options sustainably sourced and Fair Trade Certified™

  • MSRP: $29-$109 (Select styles on sale at the time of publishing)

  • OEKO-TEX and GOTS-certified organic cotton in 2 colors (white and gray)

  • One size (73"x73.5")

  • MSRP: $109 (20% off at the time of publishing)


  • Organic or GOTS-certified cotton options in a curated selection of styles and colors

  • One size (72"x72")

  • Sourced and made in Turkey or India

  • MSRP: $128-$198 (Select styles on steep discount at the time of publishing)


  • OEKO-TEX- or GOTS-certified linen and cotton options in a curated selection of styles and colors

  • One size (72"x72")

  • Sourced and made in EU or Turkey

  • MSPR: $99-$109

  • Alternatively, their liner can be used on its own as a curtain and is made from OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified polyester. MSRP: $24.


  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified linen and cotton options in an array of styles and colors

  • One size (72"x72")

  • Imported

  • MSRP: $69-$119 (Many styles up to 50% off at the time of publishing)


  • Linen or cotton shower curtain with optional PEVA liner and hooks in a curated selection of styles and colors

  • One size (72"x72")

  • Made in Portugal

  • MSRP: $69-$109 (All styles 15% off at the time of publishing)


  • Cotton/PEVA hybrid in white: The top section is made of cotton; the removable bottom section is made of PEVA and can be replaced and returned for recycling

  • One size (71"x72")

  • MSRP: $55 ($27 for PEVA replacement)


  • Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified polyester/cotton blend option in white or gray

  • One size (72"x72")

  • Imported

  • MSRP: $25


Give that old shower curtain a second life

If you don't want to send your old curtain straight to the landfill, you can put it to use numerous ways. After you remove the Serratia marcescens, of course.


  • Use as a drop cloth for painting or outdoor gardening projects

  • Cover a table to protect it from messy art projects

  • Place over car seats to protect them from pets or under kids' car seats

  • Use as a liner for the cargo area or trunk of a car

  • Place it under a cat's litter box

  • Cut pieces to line cabinets, drawers, or under sinks

  • Make waterproof bags for toting wet swimsuits, cloth diapers, or reusable feminine products

  • Add to your camping gear and use it as a tablecloth, tarp, or groundcover under tents or sleeping bags


Sources

Product image from the Bean Products website


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