Shower curtains might be your focus when it comes to bathroom decor, but shower curtain liners play an important role in functionality. They keep water from splashing on the floor and creating an unsafe slippery surface or a soggy bath mat waiting for you when you step out of the shower.
The best shower curtain liner for your household will depend on multiple factors, including budget, material weight, and maintenance needs. “Heavy plastic liners will last longer and not tend to rip as quickly as lighter ones but will also cost more money,” says Robyn Reynolds, owner of Organize2Harmonize based in the Los Angeles area. “There is also the option of getting fabric liners, which will last longer but need to be washed on occasion to remove any mildew from the shower.”
Before choosing a shower curtain liner, make sure to consider the features you’ll need, how often you’re willing to wash or replace it, and what style complements your shower curtain best.
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Why You Should Get It
With the look of a fabric liner and the durability of a vinyl backing, this liner offers the best of both worlds.
Keep in Mind
Its opaque design doesn’t let in as much light, so it may not be the best pick for darker bathrooms.
As our pick for the best overall shower curtain liner, our very own Better Homes & Gardens Ultimate Shield Fabric Shower Liner checks all the boxes for function and fashion. It features a soft fabric with the practicality of a vinyl shower liner. The bottom hem is weighted and magnetic to keep the liner close to your tub or shower and prevent drafts.
The liner is easy to hang—just add your own hooks or rings. It fits standard shower and bathtub areas with either a straight or bowed curtain rod. The liner is machine washable on cold for easy care and comes in a variety of colors for a stylish look in any bathroom. Keep in mind that the liner doesn’t let much light through, especially when paired with a shower curtain, so it’s not the best pick if your bathroom is already dark.
Product details: Size: 70 x 72 inches | Colors: Aqua, beige, blue, blush, gray, white, tan, solid gray, solid white | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash cold
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Why You Should Get It
The shower curtain liner features metal grommets, which give a polished look and help to resist tearing.
Keep in Mind
It’s not machine-washable.
Shower curtain liners don’t have to be anything fancy in order to be practical, and you don’t have to spend a lot to get the job done. This pick from Mainstays is the best option for those on a budget. At just $5, the medium-weight plastic liner includes weighted magnets to hold the liner in place. Metal grommets prevent your hooks or rings from tearing the liner—a step up from the plastic ring holes of other budget options.
Keep in mind that this pick isn’t machine-washable, so if you notice any soap scum or buildup, you’ll need to wipe it clean with a damp cloth or replace the liner.
Product details: Size: 70 x 71 inches | Colors: Clear, frosty, white, ivory, gray | Material: Plastic | Care: Wipe clean
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Why You Should Get It
This shower liner and shower curtain set is a coordinated pair that is easy to install.
Keep in Mind
While the curtain comes in a wide range of colors, the snap-on liner is always white.
Consider this pick from River Dream a splurge for the ease of pairing a shower curtain and a shower curtain liner all in one. If you’re unsure how to put a curtain and liner together for your bathroom decor, this set makes it easy to set up a style.
The curtain is designed with split rings that allow the set to be hung easily without the need for hooks or the removal of the rod for installation. The set includes a curtain and fabric snap-on liner with a clear panel along the top for design to let in light while maintaining privacy. Plus, it’s available in 17 colors to match any decor. Keep in mind that the snap-on liner is always white, no matter which color curtain you choose.
The curtain and liner are made with a high-quality and heavy weight fabric to help them stay in place in the shower stall when in use. They are water-repellant and come in three sizes to fit any standard-size bathroom shower stalls. We appreciate that while these come in a set, you can purchase a liner replacement separately if yours needs a refresh.
Product details: Size: 71 x 74 inches | Colors: 17 colors | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine-washable
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Why You Should Get It
The liner comes in five different sizes to match most shower sizes.
Keep in Mind
It may need a few days of airing out to remove its plastic smell.
There will be no water on the floor after a shower with this shower curtain liner from mDesign. There are 12 strong metal grommets and a reinforced top hem to ensure durability. The weighted bottom helps to keep the liner in place at all times, and if you’re using it over a bathtub, the magnets will cling onto the tub for extra security.
Clear vinyl comes in many thicknesses, referred to as its gauge. The higher the gauge, the thicker the liner. This liner is made of a durable, 10-gauge (0.01 inches thick) vinyl in clear or clear frost to pair with any style of shower curtain you choose for your bathroom decor. Keep in mind that many vinyl liners have a plasticky smell straight out of the package, so you may need to air this out to rid the smell.
The liner comes in five different sizes, but we recommend the standard 72 x 72-inch size if you’re not sure what dimensions you need. When it comes to maintenance, keep the liner fully open after each shower for thorough air drying, and wipe clean with a damp cloth whenever needed.
Product details: Size: 54 x 78, 72 x 72, 72 x 84, 72 x 96, 108 x 72 inches | Colors: Clear | Material: Vinyl | Care: Wipe clean with damp cloth, line dry or lay flat to dry
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Why You Should Get It
The shower curtain liner feels and looks high quality.
Keep in Mind
It doesn’t let in as much light as a clear liner.
With the right supplies, getting in the shower can feel like a luxurious, spa-like experience. This shower curtain liner from GoodGram is a great pick for upgrading your bathroom. Made from a mold- and mildew-resistant fabric, it helps keep your shower clean and hygienic and is machine-washable for easy regular maintenance.
The metal grommets mesh in the top of the shower curtain liner help add durability and are rust-resistant. The shower curtain liner pairs with a shower curtain to work with your decor choice, but it’s opaque enough to use on its own. Plus, it comes in seven colors, including distinct colors like pumpkin spice and sage. There are no magnetic weights to the shower curtain liner to keep in place so this should be considered with the air flow in the bathroom where you choose to use it.
Product details: Size: 72 x 72 inches | Colors: White, ivory, light gray, pumpkin spice, sage, chocolate, seamist | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
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Why You Should Get It
In addition to the eight sewn-in suction cups, the liner includes three weighted magnets for added security.
Keep in Mind
It only comes in one size.
Bathing with a shower curtain liner that sticks to your legs isn’t ideal. Eight suction cups help this product avoid that issue. The suction cups, alongside three weighted magnets, hold the liner in place as you shower, so you won’t experience any frustrating billowing. We appreciate that the suction cups provided will fold back on themselves if you find you don’t need them every time.
The liner comes in three light-filtering colors—clear, linen, and white—and one standard size to fit most showers. The top hem features rust-proof grommets for additional durability.
Product details: Size: 71 x 70 inches | Colors: Clear, linen, white | Material: Vinyl | Care: Wipe clean and lay flat to dry
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Why You Should Get It
The embossed waffle design adds a distinct texture to the liner.
Keep in Mind
It’s only available in white.
Give your bathroom decor a lift with our Better Homes & Gardens Embossed Waffle Shower Liner. It features a waffle design woven into the liner for a touch of texture. Plus, it’s completely opaque so you can use the liner on its own or pair it with your favorite shower curtain.
The liner is coated with an anti-mildew treatment and is easy to maintain with mild soap and water, letting the liner last longer than others on the market before needing to be replaced. The magnetic hem on the bottom of the panel prevents water from escaping, and the rust-proof, reinforced grommets work with any standard shower hooks or rings.
Keep in mind that this pick is only available in white, so if you’re looking for a clear or colorful product, this isn’t the best option for you.
Product details: Size: 72 x 70 inches | Colors: White | Material: Polyester | Care: Wash with mild soap and water
Best Heavy Duty
Quiet Town Sun Shower Thistle Curtain
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Why You Should Get It
This transparent liner comes in a variety of vibrant colors.
Keep in Mind
It’s the most expensive option on our list, and it’s not returnable.
At 2.2 pounds, this 12-gauge liner is the thickest on our list. While there aren’t any sewn-in magnets or suction cups, the heavy weight of the liner itself is enough to keep it in place and prevent it from billowing or sticking to you in the shower.
The liner stands apart thanks to all the funky colors it comes in. While most transparent vinyl liners come in clear or neutral tints, the Quiet Town liner is available in several funky colors. You can choose a more subtle clear liner to pair with a fabric shower curtain, or pick a bright swatch like pine green or hot pink to stand alone.
Before purchasing, keep in mind that Quiet Town does not currently offer returns. If you want to make sure the liner you pick will match your style, you can purchase a $5 swatch card to test out different colors.
Product details: Size: 72 x 72 inches | Colors: 18 colors | Material: Vinyl | Care: Wipe clean with gentle cleaner
Best Machine Washable
Crate & Barrel White Shower Curtain Liner
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Why You Should Get It
This shower curtain liner includes six sewn-in magnets for added weight and security.
Keep in Mind
This liner is washable, but it’s air dry only.
If you are looking for an easy-to-clean shower curtain liner that will work in a bathroom set up with a tub as well as a shower, this liner does the job. The six sewn-in magnets along the bottom of the liner are evenly spaced and work to keep the liner in place to keep the floor free from water. Thanks to the additional magnets, the liner hangs straight and will not blow in when the shower is in use.
The coated polyester liner easily cleans up when tossed in the wash, but keep in mind that it’ll need to air dry.
Product details: Size: 71 x 71 inches | Colors: White | Material: Polyester coated with polyurethane | Care: Machine wash cold, line dry
The Bottom Line
The Better Homes & Gardens Waterproof Ultimate Shield Fabric Shower Curtain Liner is an overall reliable choice for its 100% waterproof material, rust-resistant metal grommets, and a weighted hem to keep the liner in place when in use. This shower curtain liner is easy to install, treated to resist mildew, and is designed to hold up to frequent use.
What to Know About Shower Curtain Liners Before Shopping
Material
Fabric shower curtain liners give a soft look to your bathroom design. They are often found with a flexible coating, like polyurethane, for added durability. These liners are commonly machine washable for easy care and can be found in a variety of fabrics, like nylon, polyester, and cotton. They do need regular cleaning to prevent mold and mildew.
PVC shower curtain liners are inexpensive but can be prone to tearing if you’re not careful. Because this type of liner can only be cleaned with a damp cloth, it’s not as easy to maintain as a fabric liner that can be tossed in the washing machine. Some PVC liners may also have a chemical smell when they first come out of their packaging.
If you’re looking for a clear plastic liner without any lingering and unpleasant odor, PEVA and EVA shower curtain liners are a more eco-friendly choice for the bath since these products contain less VOCs (volatile organic compounds) than PVC liners, which can emit dangerous gases into the air. PEVA and EVA liners also have antimicrobial properties and are chlorine-free to prevent unwanted chemical odors.
Size
The standard shower size is 60 inches wide, and most shower curtain liners are between 70 and 75 inches wide. You’ll want that extra length to reach the liner to the walls of the shower in order to hold in the water.
Some shower curtains are available in extra-long lengths or widths to accommodate different measurements. Even if your shower is a standard size, if you have a curved rod, you may need an extra few inches of material. Keep in mind that a liner that is too long can be a safety concern if the extra fabric gathers on the floor of the shower stall or bath.
Features
Budget-friendly, basic liners will do the job, but taking the time to find a shower curtain liner with helpful features can make your shower experience more pleasant.
Robin Wolfram, realtor, home designer and former HGTV host doesn’t think you have to go with a higher price tag for a shower curtain liner that will fit your needs. “Shower curtain liners should be checked for signs of mold or mildew every 6 to 8 months and replaced as needed,” she says. “When you are shopping for the best shower curtain liner, there is no need to buy anything expensive. I prefer a shower curtain liner with a lightweight material for an airy feel but weighted down with magnets or suction cups to keep it from moving when the shower is in use.”
Weights
Sewn-in weights or magnets will help the liner stay put while you’re in the shower. Without these, a lightweight liner will billow from the flowing water or moving air, causing plastic liners to stick to your body as you’re trying to bathe.
Magnets are a great option for showers with a built-in bathtub, as the magnets cling to the side of the tub for extra security. If magnets and weights aren’t enough to keep your liner in place, you may want to choose an option with suction cups, like the Clean Healthy Living Premium PEVA Shower Curtain Liner.
Grommets
Grommets, the rings at the top of the liner where you place rings or hooks to hang, are an important factor to consider. We recommend options with rust-resistant metal grommets, as they’re more durable and resistant to tears compared to thin plastic puncture holes.
If you don’t already have rings or hooks, you may want to consider an option with built-in hooks, like the River Dream No Hooks Required Waffle Weave Shower Curtain with Snap in Liner.
Maintenance Needs
Shower curtain liners can accumulate mold, mildew, and soap scum, which can be difficult to clean thoroughly.
Some liners can be washed in the washer and dryer, while others need to be washed by hand and air dried. Typically, machine-washable liners tend to be polyester, while plastic PEVA liners require spot cleaning. But this can vary from liner to liner, so make sure to always check the label for care instructions.
Before purchasing a shower curtain liner, be sure to take into consideration how well-ventilated the bathroom is and how frequently the shower is used. A liner in a guest bathroom, for example, may not need to be washed as regularly as the one in your primary bathroom.
“You can wipe down a shower liner to inhibit mildew growth and water residue with a mild bathroom cleaner,” says Beth McGee, author of Get Your House Clean Now: The Home Cleaning Method Anyone Can Master. “If you do, you can use the same liner for the better part of a year. If you don’t maintain it and you have hard water or a humid bathroom, you may want to switch out the old one for a new one every six to eight months. Inspect it regularly for stains and tears, and clean or replace it when needed.”
Your Questions, Answered
How often do shower curtain liners need to be replaced?
As a general rule, shower curtain liners should be replaced every six to eight months, depending on material, use, and maintenance care. You should take into consideration the conditions of the bathroom where the shower curtain liner is located. Humid bathrooms and showers that are used daily may lead to more mold and mildew, so the liner will need more frequent spot cleaning or replacing.
You can estimate that a lower-priced PEVA shower curtain liner will last about six to eight months. A more durable, fabric liner will cost more and require maintenance cleaning but will last about one year.
How much do shower curtain liners cost?
Shower curtain liners are relatively inexpensive, though the cost can vary depending on the features and overall quality. Budget shower curtain liners may not include metal grommets or substantial weighting. The best shower curtain liners, with added features like sewn-in magnets, suction cups, or heavy-duty fabric, will cost a bit more.
“These days you can find shower curtain liners in every price point,” says Robyn Reynolds, owner of Organize2Harmonize based in the Los Angeles area. “I have seen everything from basic plastic ones at dollar-type stores to luxury ones with snap-in fabric liners. So prices can range from about $1 to $90.”
Is a light or heavy weight shower liner better?
Choosing between a lightweight or heavy shower curtain liner is a matter of personal preference based on your decor style, bathroom setup, and frequency of use. Lightweight shower curtain liners will offer more affordable price choices, and Wolfram recommends them in a shower for a supple and airy feel in the bath. Heavy-weight liners are made of a thicker material, making them more durable and less likely to show obvious signs of wear and tear.
Who We Are
This article was written by Alice Knisley Matthias, a freelance writer with a decade of experience writing about food, home, garden, and lifestyle topics for various publications. She researched a variety of different types of shower curtain liners on the market and evaluated each of them based on ease of installation and use, durability, availability and product choices. She also consulted with Beth McGee, author of Get Your Home Clean Now: The Home Method Anyone Can Master, Robyn Reynolds owner of Organize2Harmonize, based in the Los Angeles area, and Robin Wolfram, realtor, home designer, and former HGTV host.
