Whether to leave your shower curtain open or closed when not in use is an ongoing debate among homeowners. Both options have pros and cons to consider regarding moisture control, mold growth, aesthetics, pets and children. Here’s an in-depth look at the key factors to help you decide what works best for your bathroom.
The Case for Leaving Shower Curtains Open
The main advantage to leaving your shower curtain open after use is improved airflow and ventilation. With the curtain open, moisture can more readily evaporate. This helps prevent excess humidity buildup in your bathroom that can lead to mold and mildew growth.
When shower curtains are left closed between uses, the moist, enclosed environment behind the curtain can create optimal conditions for mold. Mold spores are found everywhere and need moisture to thrive. Leaving the shower curtain closed provides an ideal hidden spot for mold colonies to grow unchecked.
In addition to mold concerns, humidity can cause other issues like peeling paint and wallpaper, corrosion of metal fixtures, rotten window frames and buckled wood. Maintaining ample ventilation in your bathroom helps alleviate these problems.
Leaving shower curtains open allows air to circulate behind them, helping all surfaces dry out faster after use. This minimizes condensation buildup and allows your fan or window to be more effective at controlling humidity levels in the bathroom.
For homeowners concerned about mold and humidity, leaving the shower curtain open is the best preventative measure. Even opening your curtain for just a portion of the day can make a difference in allowing your bathroom to dry out.
Aesthetic Appeal
There’s also an aesthetic appeal to opened shower curtains. The light, airy look can make your bathroom feel cleaner and more inviting. Opaque liners will hide items you may store in the tub area while sheer curtains still allow light through.
Having an open shower also presents a tidier, neater appearance. Guests may be inclined to judge a closed curtain as harboring soap scum, mildew and general un-cleanliness out of sight. An open curtain presents a bathroom as bright, fresh and well cared for.
Safety Considerations
For homes with pets and small children, there are some safety considerations with open shower curtains to keep in mind. Pets or kids may be tempted to use an open tub as a drinking or washing basin.
Children can also be injured falling into a tub if they use the ledge to stand on unsupervised. Make sure to close the curtain when kids are around unattended if this seems potentially risky in your home.
Reasons to Keep Your Shower Curtain Closed
For all the benefits of leaving shower curtains open, there are good reasons many people prefer to keep them closed between uses. Closed curtains help control moisture and odors, provide neater appearance, and are safer in some circumstances.
Moisture Control
Leaving the shower curtain pulled across the full expanse of your tub or shower stall ensures moisture stays contained in that area, preventing it from escaping and humidifying the rest of your bathroom.
If excessive moisture around the toilet, sink or other areas is an issue in your bathroom, a closed curtain may help. The closed curtain provides a barrier to condensation and splash back rather than letting dampness disperse through the room.
For bathrooms with ventilation issues, drawing the curtain can complement your fan or windows in controlling humidity. The other option is to upgrade old exhaust fans or install a higher CFM model to improve moisture removal if issues persist.
Mold Prevention
While an open curtain allows the shower itself to dry out faster, a closed curtain prevents moisture from reaching other areas in your bathroom. Concentrating damp surfaces helps prevent mold growth from spreading.
With the shower curtain drawn, mold is more likely to grow only on surfaces designed to get wet like tile grout and the curtain liner itself. Good cleaning practices are still important, but a closed curtain lets you focus moisture control on one contained area.
Odors and Privacy
Odors from mold, standing water in the shower drain or cleaning products can get confined behind a closed curtain. For owners that don’t want these smells wafting through their whole bathroom, a closed curtain helps isolate them.
Similarly, occupants can shower with more privacy and discretion with the curtain drawn. Airborne water droplets, reflections and silhouettes are limited to behind the closed curtain rather than throughout the room.
Neat Appearance
While an open curtain can look tidy, a closed curtain has its own neat aesthetic. The smooth, monochromatic surface looks orderly and designed. A closed curtain also conceals any products, soap scum or mildew that may be inside the shower stall.
For owners self-conscious about the condition of their tub or tiles, keeping the curtain discreetly drawn can maintain a neat appearance for guests. The closed curtain also prevents shower spray and splashes from escaping and hitting vanity fronts or walls while in use.
Safety & Privacy for Kids
For parents of young children, a closed shower curtain eliminates the enticement for kids to play or wash up in the tub unsupervised. Closing access prevents potential slips and other injuries.
Teaching kids to always keep the curtain drawn also helps reinforce bathroom privacy and modesty in your home. Establishing this early teaches children good habits around respecting others’ space and boundaries.
Tips for Minimizing Moisture and Mildew
If you prefer to keep your curtain closed but want to prevent moisture and mildew issues, there are steps you can take:
- Open the curtain fully after each use for 20-30 minutes prior to closing again
- Use an exhaust fan when showering and allow it to run for 15+ minutes after
- Crack open windows or run a dehumidifier regularly
- Use mildew-resistant vinyl or polyester curtain liners
- Spray liners with vinegar water or tea tree oil mix to help prevent mildew
- Use an anti-mildew shower spray weekly
- Wash or replace liners at least every 3 months
Be diligent about washing the shower walls, floor and door tracks where moisture accumulates. Check grout lines and caulk seals around the tub and maintain as needed to prevent mold colonies from developing.
Conclusion
Deciding between an open versus closed shower curtain depends largely on your bathroom’s moisture and ventilation characteristics. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Open | Closed |
|---|---|
| Allows for maximum air circulation and drying | Contains moisture and humidity to shower area |
| Prevents mold growth in humid climates | Minimizes odors and steam escaping |
| Provides an airy, clean appearance | Looks orderly and neatly designed |
| Can allow pet/child access | Prevents pet/child access when unsupervised |
In general, moisture control and good ventilation should take precedence. If humidity is an issue, the benefits of an open curtain typically outweigh leaving it closed. Improve bathroom ventilation and adopt other moisture prevention habits as needed.
For households without excess humidity concerns, the choice comes down more to personal preference. Try both open and closed for a period of time and see which you find better suits your bathroom’s needs and your household’s lifestyle.