Best Non-Toxic Shower Curtains & Liners (2026): PVC-Free
That strong smell from a new vinyl shower curtain is a common reason to look for alternatives. A cotton curtain with a washable fabric liner is a simple swap with no vinyl smell.
Most cheap shower curtains and liners are PVC (vinyl) or PEVA. That "new curtain" smell is volatile chemicals coming off the plastic, and PVC can contain phthalates. A hot, steamy bathroom is about the worst place for that. Fabric curtains skip the issue entirely.
Your options
- Cotton or hemp curtain alone: the most natural option. A tight weave slows the water down, and the curtain gets damp but dries.
- Fabric liner: woven polyester liners repel water better than cotton. Polyester is still plastic, but it doesn't off-gas like vinyl and can go in the washing machine.
- Both: a cotton curtain outside and a fabric liner inside, which is what we do.
Cotton & hemp curtains
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Illustrative photos, not the actual products. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Bean Products White Cotton Shower Curtain, 70" x 72"
Woven cotton with no plastic film and no waterproofing chemicals.
Why we picked these
- Bean Products White Cotton Shower Curtain, 70" x 72" Best cotton curtain Woven cotton with no plastic film and no waterproofing chemicals. The tight weave slows water down, and it can be used alone without a liner. Worth knowing: Cotton gets damp, so spread it out after showers and wash it every few weeks to prevent mildew.
- Bean Products Natural Cotton Shower Curtain, 70" x 72" Unbleached option The same cotton curtain in an unbleached natural color. A nice warm look and one less processing step.
- Bean Products Natural Hemp Shower Stall Curtain, 54" x 72" For shower stalls Hemp is naturally resistant to mildew and gets softer as you wash it. This narrow size fits stand-up shower stalls.
- 100% Pure Cotton Shower Curtain, White, 72" x 72" Hotel-style cotton A thicker, hotel-style 100% cotton curtain that looks nice and washes well. Worth knowing: Pair it with a liner if your shower sprays straight at the curtain.
Fabric liners (instead of vinyl)
Illustrative photos, not the actual products. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Barossa Design Fabric Shower Curtain Liners, 2-Pack
Lightweight polyester fabric liners instead of vinyl, with magnets at the bottom.
Why we picked these
- Barossa Design Fabric Shower Curtain Liners, 2-Pack Best value liner Lightweight polyester fabric liners instead of vinyl, with magnets at the bottom. Two in a pack means one can be in the wash while the other is up. Worth knowing: Polyester is still plastic, but it's a woven fabric that doesn't give off that 'new shower curtain' smell vinyl does.
- N&Y HOME Fabric Shower Curtain Liner with Magnets Hotel-quality liner A popular water-repellent fabric liner that's machine washable. A clear step up from a vinyl liner.
- ALYVIA SPRING Fabric Shower Curtain Liner, 72" x 72" Soft fabric liner Soft, lightweight fabric liner with three bottom magnets. It can also be used on its own as a simple curtain.
- Recycled Polyester Fabric Shower Curtain Liner, 72" x 72" Recycled fabric A fabric liner made from recycled polyester, sold as non-plastic film. Washable, with bottom magnets.
Fabric liners often come with water-repellent finishes. If the listing doesn't say what the finish is, wash it once before hanging it.
Stainless steel hooks
Illustrative photos, not the actual products. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Rubbermaid Stainless Steel S-Shaped Shower Hooks, Set of 12
Rustproof stainless steel S-hooks that fit standard rods.
Why we picked these
- Rubbermaid Stainless Steel S-Shaped Shower Hooks, Set of 12 Simple steel hooks Rustproof stainless steel S-hooks that fit standard rods. Steel hooks don't crack like plastic rings.
- Uigos Stainless Steel Shower Curtain Rings with Roller Balls, 12 Smooth-glide rings Stainless rings with roller balls so the curtain slides open easily. Nice with heavier cotton curtains.
- Gidse Double-Sided Stainless Steel Shower Hooks, 12 Curtain + liner hooks Double hooks hold a cotton curtain and a fabric liner on separate sides, so you can take either down to wash.
- Gidse Metal S-Shaped Shower Curtain Hooks, 12 Budget metal hooks Inexpensive rust-resistant metal S-hooks. They also work as kitchen hooks.
Keeping mildew away
- Spread the curtain out after each shower so it dries flat instead of bunched up.
- Run the fan or crack a window for 20 minutes after showers.
- Wash curtains and liners every 2–4 weeks with a little baking soda or oxygen bleach. See our non-toxic cleaning guide for simple supplies.
- A cotton curtain usually lasts a long time. Replace it if mildew spots won't wash out.
More for the home: cleaner-burning beeswax candles.
FAQ
Why avoid vinyl (PVC) shower curtains?
That new curtain smell is volatile chemicals coming off the plastic, and PVC can contain phthalates. A hot, steamy bathroom is about the worst place for that. Fabric curtains skip the issue.
Do cotton shower curtains need a liner?
A tight-weave cotton or hemp curtain can work alone; it gets damp but dries. A woven polyester fabric liner repels water better and doesn't off-gas like vinyl. We use a cotton curtain outside and a fabric liner inside.
How do I keep a fabric shower curtain from getting mildew?
Spread it out after each shower so it dries flat, run the fan or crack a window for 20 minutes, and wash it every 2 to 4 weeks with a little baking soda or oxygen bleach.
