- A shower curtain liner protects your decorative, more expensive shower curtain and helps prevent water from escaping to the bathroom floor.
- We researched several shower curtain liners to find the best ones to fit every budget and shower configuration.
When it’s time for a shower, you probably don’t give much thought to a shower curtain liner until you see puddles of water all over the floor. A shower curtain liner helps keep water contained and protects your more expensive decorative shower curtain from mildew, cleaning products that could cause discoloration, and frequent washings that can fade the fabric.
We’ve selected the best shower curtain liners that will resist mold and mildew and keep your bathroom dry. A shower curtain liner shouldn’t break the bank, but if money’s tight we even have recommendations that are just a few dollars. Before you buy, be sure to measure your shower curtain to ensure your liner is the right size. We offer a few tips at the end of this guide.
Here are the best shower curtain liners:
- N&Y Home Extra Wide Shower Curtain Liner
- Barossa Design Waffle Weave Fabric Shower Curtain
- Maytex Quick Dry Mesh Pockets Waterproof PEVA Shower Curtain Liner
- LiBa Mildew Resistant Anti-Bacterial Shower Curtain Liner
The best on a budget
If you are looking for an inexpensive but functional shower curtain liner, Target’s Room Essentials Solid Super Soft PEVA Shower Liner is a great choice.
While this shower curtain liner is not on the cutting edge of fashion, Target’s Room Essentials Solid Super Soft PEVA Shower Liner is an excellent buy for anyone on a budget. The 71-by-70-inch liner offers features that you probably won’t find in other lower-cost liners.
Made of a soft non-chlorinated PEVA or polyethylene vinyl acetate, the liner is a good choice over PVC or polyvinyl chloride liners. There are concerns about the health effects and fumes that arise when PVC is heated. The liner header has a reinforced buttonhole top for curtain rings to slip through or can be used with clips. And, the three magnets at the bottom of the liner will keep it flat against tub walls.
The liner can be washed with sheets and towels in warm water and hung to drip dry. At this price, you may just want to replace it every few months and use the old one as a drop cloth.
Pros: Very affordable, weighted bottom, made of soft, non-toxic vinyl
Cons: Slightly smaller than some liners, lightweight and can tear if pulled on excessively
The best extra large shower curtain liner
Do you have a claw-foot tub and shower or a custom-designed shower stall? The N&Y Home Extra Wide Shower Curtain Liner provides the coverage you need.
You finally have the bathroom of your dreams and it includes a huge walk-in shower or a claw-foot tub and shower fixture. Now, where are you going to find a shower curtain liner large enough to fit the space properly? Fortunately, there is N&Y Home Extra Wide Shower Curtain Liner to come to the rescue.
While this liner comes in 26 different sizes, it is one of the few on the market available in a 108-by-72-inch size. The liner is made from a white closely-knit polyester fabric with a subtle diamond pattern that is water-repellent, quick-drying, and sturdy. To help support the weight of the fabric, the reinforced top header includes 18 metal grommets for easy and reliable hanging.
The liner is machine-washable in cold water and comes with a three-month warranty against mildew and bacterial growth. It can be tumbled dry and ironed on low heat if you decide to use it as a shower curtain.
Pros: Extra-wide width, quick-drying fabric, mildew resistant
Cons: Not weighted at the bottom, the fabric may not be as water-resistant after washing
The best fabric liner
For a shower curtain liner that can stand alone and add a bit of flair to your bath decor, the Barossa Design Waffle Weave Fabric Shower Curtain is an excellent choice.
Not everyone wants to spend money on both a shower curtain liner and a decorative outer curtain. Perhaps you're simply renting or plan to move soon and just want something that looks good and keeps the water contained. Or perhaps a plasticky liner just isn't to your taste and you'd prefer to keep things simple. The Barossa Design Waffle Weave Fabric Shower Curtain will provide a clean aesthetic at a reasonable price - and it will keep your bathroom floor dry too.
The liner comes in many different sizes so you're sure to find one that fits your shower dimensions. This textured heavyweight polyester curtain has a thick cotton-like feel, but it's water-resistant so droplets will bead off and it will dry quickly. The reinforced header is finished with rust-proof grommets for shower curtain rings. Easily machine-washable, the fabric is resistant to wrinkling.
Pros: Comes in several colors and sizes, water repellent, easy care
Cons: Can mold if not washed regularly
The best with storage pockets
There are very few showers that have enough storage to hold all of our products, so this Maytex Quick Dry Mesh Pockets Waterproof PEVA Shower Curtain Liner has nine mesh pockets to help you organize it all.
If you are tired of shampoo bottles teetering on tub ledges and being unable to find your loofah with soap-filled eyes, then the Maytex Quick Dry Mesh Pockets Waterproof PEVA Shower Curtain Liner is for you.
Storage is always at a premium in small spaces and this shower curtain will help solve your dilemma. Made from clear heavyweight water repellent polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), the curtain is free from chlorine and other potentially toxic chemicals. The 70-by-72-inch curtain has nine polyester mesh pockets to hold toys, bottles, and brushes.
To help support the extra weight of the items stored in the pockets, the top of the liner has 12 rust-proof metal grommets for hanging with curtain rings. The liner is machine-washable in cold water and will drip dry quickly.
Pros: Non-toxic PEVA material, nine quick-drying pockets, clear vinyl allows in light
Cons: Available in only one size, not weighted on the bottom
The best mildew-resistant liner
If you have a bathroom that isn't well-ventilated and battle quick-growing mildew, you will appreciate the benefits of the LiBa Mildew Resistant Anti-Bacterial Shower Curtain Liner.
There's a fungus amongst us and it loves your bathroom. The warm, damp climate in the bathroom is a particularly popular breeding ground for mildew. This is a surface mold that appears as a colony of grey or white powdery dots.
Having a mildew resistant and antibacterial shower curtain liner will help stem the growth and give you one less thing to scrub frequently. Made from PEVA, the LiBa shower liner is non-toxic, chlorine-free, and does not release harmful fumes. Each liner is treated with a mildew inhibitor that lasts four times longer than other mildew-resistant liners.
Offered in a clear 72-by-72-inch vinyl panel, the liner header features 12 rustproof metal grommets for durability and is weighted with three magnets. Each liner comes with a 12-month warranty against tears and mildew growth.
Pros: Mildew resistant and antibacterial, reinforced grommets, weighted bottom hem
Cons: Only available in one size
How to ensure you're buying the right size liner
Before you shop for a liner, it's vital to measure the shower so that you will purchase the correct size. Most liners are a standard 72 inches by 72 inches. However, that size simply won't work on larger shower stalls or in a custom-designed shower and tub.
To find the correct size, measure the width of your shower rod or circumference of the track for free-standing claw-foot tubs and showers. Add 12 inches to the measurement to prevent leaks along the edges. To find the best length, measure from the bottom of the shower curtain rod to the top of the tub or the floor of the shower. For a tub and shower combo, add 4 inches to the length so that the liner will fall inside the tub to prevent water leakage.
If you have a shower curtain that opens in the middle like drapes, purchase two appropriately-sized liners for full coverage.
Whether you choose a top-of-the-line shower curtain liner or a budget-friendly one, be sure to select one that contains weights or magnets along the bottom hem. The magnets will cling to tubs that contain metal or act as weights in fiberglass fixtures to keep the liner in place. This is particularly important for lightweight liners or if you have high water pressure that creates a vortex that pulls the liner inward. No one wants to battle the shower curtain liner every morning.
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