# Shower curtain - Opened or Closed after use? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 8, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991 "2014-05-08T18:03:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/21 "2014-05-08T21:30:20Z")
when the tub is open the curtain is closed. when the tub is closed the curtain is open. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/22 "2014-05-08T22:18:51Z")
Open - I want to see my murderer coming. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/23 "2014-05-08T22:24:01Z")
Crap. Change my vote - I also voted for open when I meant closed. Closed because the liner gets to air out. My towels are on a separate towel bar (or crumpled on my bedroom floor, depending on how disorganized I am when I leave for work in the morning.) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/24 "2014-05-08T22:38:53Z")
Closed until dry, then open so the cats can get in without any hassle. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/25 "2014-05-08T23:22:35Z")
Open. You guys citing mildew, is this a theoretical concern, or something you’ve actually had happen? I’ve never gotten mildew. Soap scum on the walls of the shower, but never mildew. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/26 "2014-05-08T23:24:27Z")
I always liked to close it mostly so that water would fall from it more easily and so that mold wouldn’t form on it so easily. But that was when I lived somewhere that had a shower curtain. That is no longer the case for me. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/27 "2014-05-08T23:26:37Z")
I think “mildew” is a generic term here. A common one isn’t mildew and it isn’t even mold or a fungus - [pink mold](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serratia_marcescens). ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/28 "2014-05-08T23:27:36Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Open. You guys citing mildew, is this a theoretical concern, or something you’ve actually had happen? I’ve never gotten mildew. Soap scum on the walls of the shower, but never mildew. My mother-in-law used to always keep her curtain bunched up after a shower and would consistently get mildew on her shower curtain. She now keeps it closed across the tub and no longer gets that problem. I have lived in houses with a variety of showers with big and small amounts of headroom around the curtain for airflow and have never had a problem with mildew on the shower walls themselves. However, I always keep the bathroom door open unless someone is in it so that may also contribute. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/29 "2014-05-08T23:40:15Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > We’ll just call you “margin of error.” Hmm, I like that name. I’ve been called a lot worse! ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/30 "2014-05-09T00:03:55Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I voted open but meant closed, so the whole scientific merit of this study is out the window. Sorry. Delightful username + situation combo! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/31 "2014-05-09T00:57:06Z")
I voted other because I loosely gather the curtain/liner together and leave it in the middle. Looks nice, shows off the curtain a little better, and everything dries out fine. I used to shove it all to one end (open), but that did lead to mildew issues over time. I’ve also found that by leaving it centered, two of my cats like to chase each other around it and in and out of the tub. Very funny. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/32 "2014-05-09T01:15:03Z")
I leave it open. My bathroom is so small that closing it means I’ll brush against it when I have to go past it to get to the toilet. Leaving it open makes it feel less claustrophobic in there. Plus the only mirror and the medicine cabinet is on the wall by the tub, so if I want to see myself to blow dry my hair, I have to move the shower curtain out of the way. ---
**Author:** ![brachyrhynchos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brachyrhynchos/32/376_2.png) [@brachyrhynchos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brachyrhynchos)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/33 "2014-05-09T01:32:49Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Half open is the correct answer. Ditto. That leaves enough bar to throw my towel over to dry. ---
**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/34 "2014-05-09T02:00:30Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > Wait, are you saying that after you take a shower and the towel dries out, that you might put it on the towel rack for the guests to use? I don’t have a problem using the same towel for a few days but I wouldn’t want to dry my hands on one that I know has been used to dry off another person’s naughty bits. I referred to the master bath where I shower and re-use my towel. If I have guests, they use the guest bath, which always has clean towels. Only very special guests are allowed to handle my dirty towels or my naughty bits. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/35 "2014-05-09T02:20:40Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > I close it because if you leave it all scrunched up at one end it traps residual water, making it harder to evaporate and causing a breeding ground for mildew. Of course! And doh! I accidentally clicked the wrong choice. Actually, there should be a third choice: mostly closed. You want the curtain stretched out so it’s not touching itself, so it’ll dry, but you also want air circulation in the shower or tub. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/36 "2014-05-09T02:27:30Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I voted open but meant closed, so the whole scientific merit of this study is out the window. Sorry. > [@Blue\_Mood](#): > > I did the exact same thing. Strange. > [@chiroptera](#): > > Crap. Change my vote - I also voted for open when I meant closed. Wow – it’s a thing. Four of us who’ve goofed and fessed up. > [@elfkin477](#): > > Open. You guys citing mildew, is this a theoretical concern, or something you’ve actually had happen? I’ve never gotten mildew. Soap scum on the walls of the shower, but never mildew. One of the first things I learned the first time I lived alone, many years ago. Especially with the cheap plastic ones and that’s all you have. It might depend on where you live, the climate, and central AC. When I learned, it was humid Michigan summer, no AC. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/37 "2014-05-09T02:32:47Z")
Closed. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/38 "2014-05-09T03:27:11Z")
> [@Learjeff](#): > > Wow – it’s a thing. Four of us who’ve goofed and fessed up. Geez guys. Maybe this will help: > [@](#): > > VOTING IN A POLL > > It’s really quite straightforward. View the thread, and you’ll see the poll at the top. Click on your choice (or choices, if “allow multiple choice” is turned on), and then click on “vote now.” From here. [The Polling feature is enabled. Here's how to use it - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=533069) 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Lydia\_Phalfav](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@Lydia\_Phalfav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lydia_Phalfav)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/39 "2014-05-09T03:47:36Z")
I leave mine generally open with slight folds so air can get in on each side. Sometimes I have to run a box fan to help dry things out quicker. (Rental place & everything is cheap & crappy. The standard bathroom fan doesn’t do much to move air adequately.) Once in awhile I’ll take the curtain down & scrub with bleach & let it dry in the sun. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991/40 "2014-05-09T03:50:19Z")
Closed if we’re expecting company. Open otherwise. It’s like making my bed - there’s justno point if it’s only for my own benefit [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-curtain-opened-or-closed-after-use/687991.md?page=3)