Recycle Less: Zara Home 100% Linen Shower Curtain Review And Keeping The Bathroom Mould/Mold Free During Hot Humid Months

Welcome to another Recycle Less where I share my journey on using less plastic, repurposing towards recycling less in general. This edition features Zara Home 100% linen shower curtain and a tip on how to keep the bathroom mould free during hot humid months. 

A while back I shared my Zara Home 100% cotton shower curtain review. At the time of purchase they had the linen curtain however I was not prepared to pay €49.99 for a shower curtain. I didn’t want to buy a PVC or any type of plastic shower curtain. When it comes to replacing it, it’s more plastic waste. I have kept the previous plastic curtain for when I do something messy that requires floor protecting. 

I was happy with the cotton shower curtain. It machined washed fine, bleached fine to remove the mould when there was heavy bathroom traffic. However being a natural fibre it was only so long until the cotton basically got rotten. I think it survived about 1 year 3 months, which isn’t that cost effective compared to cheaper previous PVC curtains that have lasted me for a years each. It didn’t survive it’s last machine wash with massive holes. Mini floods occurred and I needed a new curtain. Again it wasn’t going to be plastic of any type. 

Zara Home did sell at the time of purchase in April, the same grey leopard print shower curtain, however they switched the fibre to polyester. Looking online and El Corte Ingles, there were few cotton shower curtains, even fewer super expensive linen ones and priced in-between the two, linen, cotton, polyester blends. I had no choice but to go with Zara Home 100% linen shower curtain at €49.99. Yes, I spend €50 on a shower curtain. However, when factoring in the production of linen from flax* which is a lengthly progress into the price it’s quite cheap. The linen used is produced without using artificial irrigation, the farming also using natural growth techniques to help preserve biodiversity and is produced using non GMO seeds as per the photo above. It is cheapest 100% linen shower curtain I could find anywhere and considering these points, the price point is to be expected. It’s just a shock when you see it in person to what you’re paying.

I did feel however a little duped. Like their cotton version, it is waterproof by a repellent on top or on the inside of the curtain. You can feel it by a little waxy feel. I got the one which didn’t receive the waterproof repellent all over. Mini floods until P said try Nikwax TX.Direct Spray (you can get it almost in any outdoor shop and retailer) a water repellent clothes spray. That fixed the missed spots! But I shouldn’t have had to have done that in the first place. Especially if I’m spending €50 on a shower curtain. 

It works as well as a plastic one does now it’s water repellent. Unfortunalty within 2 months the bottom was covered in mould. Black mould. The bathroom doesn’t have a window, only a vent, it was a heavy shower month, the air temp had risen and it was humid. I was kinda pissed as I had spent a lot. So I bleached it. 

Double kick in the teeth, I went back to Zara Home in the 2 months since purchasing they now have 100% cotton shower curtains again. Looking like floral pjs or sheets. I don’t know why when people think of zero waste, using less plastic, the designs have to be those from the 1930-1940’s back when household plastic was in its infancy. Or maybe that’s Zara Home’s vibe at the moment. However I couldn’t wait and had to go with what they had at the time of purchase. 

Back the the bleach. I know, chemicals down the drain. Sometimes I have to and when I do it’s absolutely necessary. The bleached worked. Leaving you questioning is it dry due to the bleached parts are now a different colour, but it worked. I purchased another bottle of Nikwax, TX.Direct Spray to spray on once it was dry to prevent flooding. After a little research I’ve been able to keep the mould to almost a minimum for the past 6 weeks by one simple trick. 

Positioning the floor fan in front of it after showering to dry the bathroom and curtain. Thankfully the layout of the apartment means I can keep the air flow via the fan circulating and when needed turn it to the bathroom without unplugging and moving the fan every time after shower. About 45-60 minutes is enough. I’ve noticed too, the amount of mould on the tiles is less, which means I’ll use less bleach in the future. This trick will work on cotton and plastic shower curtains. Mould equally likes to grow on the bottom of plastic shower curtains. No curtain is exempt. 

Would I repurchase? Maybe. I appreciate they haven’t used dye on the linen keeping it’s natural colour, but a little colour’s appreciated in the bathroom. There’s only so much beige I can take. Would I recommend? If I can get at least 2 years out of the curtain yes. I hoping the fan drying the fabric quicker will help prolong it. The cotton one lasted a little over a year, but it is a different fibre. Yes, if you’re willing to spend €50 on a shower curtain. No, if you’re not prepared to spend €50. A 100% cotton shower curtain at €29.90 I’d for sure recommend. And for each a bottle of Nikwax, TX.Direct Spray at €14.90 from a climbing/outdoor shop (thankfully I needed chalk and saw the display last minute!) to re waterproof after bleaching and washing. 

* Here’s a cool video on the traditional way of producing linen from flax. I think more modern production still follows the same process.

Thank you for stopping by!