I think that, after showering, one should close the shower curtain so that water doesn’t stay in the folds of the shower curtain (and where the curtain sticks together) and allow mildew to grow. My housemate thinks that one should open the curtain so that the bathtub area can air out so that the humidity doesn’t allow mildew to grow. Anyone out there with the Straight Dope on which of us is right? Is one of us right?
I think closing the shower curtain is the best way to minimize mildew. The shower will not dry out as quickly with the curtain closed, but the curtain will not dry out at all if left open.
Your roommate is wrong. The curtain does not create an impermeable barrier that stops the cool, dry air from getting into the shower. More importantly, nothing is going to stop mildew from growing in the grout, etc.
The important thing is stopping mildew from growing on the curtain itself. For that, you should have it opened so that the water on it can more easily run off and therefore not create mildew-friendly areas.
'Course, I’m a guy, so I usually forget and leave the curtain open.
V.
Shower curtain closed is the vote. You’re right, it’s best to cut down on mildew, though, we all know, it only CUTS
DOWN on it, since it still happens!
I finally got fed up with the curtains, though, my son was forever grabbing hold and pulling down the rod itself. I bought the sliding glass doors at Home Depot and installed them myself, ha! I never felt so MACHO before! I still have to stay armed with X14 Mildew remover for the caulk, and now soap scum because of the doors, but I still think it’s worth the hassle. Is that a possibility for you to consider??
how about you compromise and have the curtain spread enough that it covers 3/4 of the space? That way it can dry and yet lets air get in.
Or toss the shower curtain in the washing machine once in awhile. Mine’s about 5 years old and all (visible) mildew disappears after a few minutes with hot water and some Tide. The curtain’s not real plastic, but some kind of plastic-fiber blend. (Is “real plastic” an oxymoron?)
I open the curtain, simply because I’ve seen too many scary movies. If the curtain’s closed, how do you know something’s not hiding back there?
>> how do you know something’s not hiding back there?
I always like to Imagine Sandra Bullock may be waiting for me in there 
I pee on the curtain from time to time to sterilize it…
What if it’s not an actual curtain, but just the plastic liner? Can mildew grow on that, too? Or is that what you folks have been talking about all along?
I don’t use a liner – just the curtain. Mildew will grow on the liner and the curtain, so why use both? Two things to clean instead of one, who needs it? Either one will keep the water off the floor.
Showers with doors are nice, but it’s easier to throw the curtain into the wash than it is to get soap scum off the door.
Have you considered just installing shower doors? Then your curtain dilema will be completely eradicated.
Yeah, but I could spend 30 minutes a day keeping them clean. The best solution against mildew is those “Clean Shower” type products…even without using that, what are we talking here, 5-6 bucks for a new curtain?
S
…just take a bath
