I lived with cheap, vinyl shower curtain liners for years. I dreaded to even think about all of the nasty chemicals I was inhaling each time I took a shower. (You know that “new plastic” smell that all of those vinyl shower curtain liners have? Totally toxic, and your shower acts as a vaporizer, mixing those chemicals with the hot steam so you breathe it all in.) At the same time though, I put off buying a nice, new fabric liner for months and months because of cost. When I moved to a new apartment a few months ago, I finally caved, and I’m so glad I did. I honestly wish I had made the switch sooner!
I went with the EnviroCurtain 100% recycled polyester shower curtain. Not only is this particular curtain made in the USA from recycled polyester fabric, you don’t even need extra shower hooks — it’s got loops built right in that attach with cute and sustainable Tagua nut buttons. The fabric is very water repellent; I was actually surprised at just how water repellent it is when I watched the water droplets just roll off of it the first time I used it. It’s also machine washable, which is one of the primary reasons I wanted a fabric shower liner in the first place!
The EnviroCurtain is a little bit of an investment ($69.95 for a full size curtain), but it will totally pay for itself over time. Just think about how many of those vinyl shower liners most people end up buying over the years. The EnviroCurtain could easily last a lifetime, not to mention the health benefits you’ll receive by not inhaling all of those toxic vinyl fumes! You can pick up your own EnviroCurtain at HealthGoods , where they carry lots of other eco-friendly and healthy products for you and your home.
Mallory Whitfield blogs at MissMalaprop.com about handmade products, independent designers, and eco-friendly goods for modern life.
I use Ikea NÄCKTEN shower curtain liners made from PEVA, a chlorine-free plastic material, is an alternative to PVC. They are $1.99 (states $1.79 on the website).