Are Traditional Shower Curtains Eco-Unfriendly?

Are Traditional Shower Curtains Eco-Unfriendly?

There’s a fussy fragrance that fills your bathroom once you unwrap a conventional shower curtain from its package.

A lot of of us simply accept that as part of the shower curtain experience, only recent info has come out concerning the toxic nature of this aroma. It appears that vinyl shower curtains contain some awful chemicals that discharge their vapors into the air.

PVC

PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is utilized in the making of soft vinyl-like shower curtains. PVC contains dioxin, phthalates, and chlorine. Dioxin is a carcinogen and is given off when polyvinyl chloride burns or becomes heated (hot showers, anybody?). It’s particularly implicated in breast cancer.

The phthalates in polyvinyl chloride include DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate) and BBzP (benzyl butyl phthalate), and they’re utilized to keep the plastic lenient while it’s being made. Phthalates are implicated in autism, allergies, and reproductive problems (they mimic human hormones). And lastly, the chlorine utilized to make polyvinyl chloride lets out toxic vapors.

Eco-Friendly Shower Curtains

So what is a showerer to do? Here are a few ideas for eco-friendly, nonpoisonous shower curtains.

1. Hemp – Hemp shower curtains are costly, yet durable. They’re said to insulate good, and they are free from synthetic compounds.

2. Bamboo – It seems there’s nothing they can not construct from bamboo these days! The natural mold and mildew resistance of bamboo is inviting to many, as is its strength. A bamboo shower rod would establish an appealing completion to the natural look.

3. Linen – Naturally water-resistant, the dense cloth of linen makes a great shower curtain. There are quite a few color alternatives with linen.

4. Cotton – Organic cotton is likely the least costly of the commercially obtainable, eco-friendly shower curtain alternatives. Once again, colors and fabrics are rather diversified. Just be sure that any cotton curtains aren’t processed with synthetic chemicals or soft plastics to make them water-repellent.

5. Create Your Own – You might be amazed by what you have at home that may work for a shower curtain. Old sheets are particularly conducive to this do it yourself project. You are able to utilize thin, old bedspreads or coverlets. To hang your homemade shower curtain, you are able to sew together cloth tabs or loops to the top of a bed sheet, or crimp it over the curtain rod and stitch along the distance of the rod. Then slide the rod through and hang up.

You are able to decorate your piece of cloth in all types of ways. Stencils are popular, as are kids art and handprints. You may also do hand stamps in whatever shapes you wish.