1

I am looking for something that I can add to bathwater to soak this shower liner to remove the lime/soap buildup.

I do not want to manually have to use a sponge for this job.

I do not want to replace the liner.

I have hydrochloric acid available and mix it to different strengths.

Thanks.

Improve this question
7
  • I don't get what bath water has to do with a shower curtain. When I take a bath, I don't need to use the shower curtain which is pushed to one end of its rail. But anyway, I just sluice off the curtain with the shower spray each time, and replace the curtain every couple of years. They are inexpensive, like £5-7 in my local supermarket.... but excuse me, are you using bath as a polite euphemism used by shy people who don't like to talk about body functions, as in "I have to go to the bathroom".
    – Weather Vane
    Dec 10, 2022 at 20:29
  • I was thinking of using the bath water and some dilute acid to dissolve the scale/lime deposits from the curtain by soaking it in it.
    – fixit7
    Dec 10, 2022 at 20:35
  • You might cause other damage to other fittings by using acid. I suppose you could spray tthe inside of the curtain with limescale remover, but as mentioned the curtains are really cheap, and can be put in the recycling waste.
    – Weather Vane
    Dec 10, 2022 at 20:39
  • 1
    I can understand "lime buildup", but "soap buildup"? I sense a problem of lack of hygiene there... Clean and wash things around you more often, maybe. Soap has the amazing property of being removable with water.
    – virolino
    Dec 12, 2022 at 11:34
  • I sense a lack of tact and making assumptions. @virolino
    – fixit7
    Dec 12, 2022 at 13:36

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
2

I wash my shower liner in the washing machine. It removes soap and hard water deposits.

  • Add the liner and a large towel (for scrubbing action) to the washing machine.

  • Use the hottest water setting, bleach (the large amount for your machine), and laundry detergent.

  • Let it soak then run cycle normally.

I hang it back up in the shower to dry. Good luck.

This technique might work in the bathtub.

Improve this answer
0
1

Dilute (5% or so) HCl should work, though it might corrode nickel-plated tub fittings. Better would be to use commercial lime/scale remover, agitated with a plastic utensil in a plastic tub placed inside the bathtub, being careful not to get the solution on clothing, floor (acid dissolves grout), skin or in eyes!

However, consider the economics of this. A shower-curtain liner locally costs US$3 to US$6. A bottle of lime remover (dilute HCl) costs US$1.30. How much additional use will you get from the liner after cleaning? Liners often tear while being installed or removed from hangers.

Perhaps a more useful plan is to repurpose the plastic liners. They can be put under crushed stone to prevent weed growth, they can be placed on a vehicle(or even a driveway) to ease snow removal, etc.

Improve this answer
1

To clean my shower curtain liner, I used the following:

** Use in a well ventilated area. I had a high volume fan going.

  1. Purchased the picture item at a dollar type store for about $1.25. (The product contains sulfamic acid.)

  2. Mixed it in a ratio of 1:1 with water (the bottle with the blue colored liquid.)

  3. Sprayed the scale/soap ridden shower curtain liner

  4. Let soak for about 5 minutes

  5. Spray off with water or use a plastic cup and splash it on to wash residue down the tub drain

I now do a light misting after each shower.

enter image description here

The final cleaned shower curtain liner.

enter image description here

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.