Q: Hello, I am looking for a vinyl or waterproof fabric shower curtain that can do double duty as a liner and curtain. I have never liked the way using a liner and having a cloth curtain on the outside of the tub makes a bathroom feel smaller, plus I don't want to cover up the cute apron on my classic 50's tub.
Design-wise, my favorite curtain right now is this Marimekko Fokus shower curtain, but I would have to use a liner with it and hem it as it is longer than a standard curtain. Does anyone have a source for vinyl curtains that are, style-wise, as cool?I would love something that lets a lot of light through without actually being clear.
Sent by Jess
Editor: Have any suggestions or recomendations for Jess? Let us know in the comments below...thanks!
• Got a question? Email yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first)
The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit
Ana Creates a Community at Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
Soda Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
Recipe: Spring Fruit and Nut Tabouli
plushLiving curtains.
http://www.plush-living.com/AboutUs/Products/DoucheShowercurtain.htm
I think this looks kind of cool and it can be however you want it. Not sure how it would hold up though. Not very expensive
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=10&startValue=11&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=14135412&parentid=A_FURN_BATH&sortProperties= subCategoryPosition,&navCount=18&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=A_FURN_BATH&popId=APARTMENT_FURNISH&prepushId=
I had a vinyl curtain that had as its print a rice paper pattern. So it looked like fabric, but it was completely waterproof and didn't need a liner. I got it a local home-goods and don't know the brand, but just googled for it and saw this at Target.
http://www.target.com/Ricepaper-EVA-Shower-Curtain-White/dp/B000P655R2
My shower curtain is polyester and it's great. No liner needed and I just throw it in the wash with the rest of my laundry each week (cold water).
I've always looked on ebay for my shower curtains. Here's one with a subtle light grey on white zebra print pattern. Should let in lots of light.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=250529999718&Category=20441&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2
I used a lightweight cotton canvas shower curtain for several years. It would get mildew-y in the summer, and I'd bleach it, so it eventually had to be replaced. A lightweight fabric, preferably poly- or a blend, will keep water in the shower. It doesn't have to be waterproof.
i bought a shower curtain made of rip-stop nylon (same material used for parachutes...?) over twelve years ago, and it's been great. it is not 100% waterproof, but sufficiently water-resistant for use in the shower; it washes well, and dries very quickly. i don't recall where i bought it, but one can easily find rip-stop nylon, in a number of colours, in fabric stores.
The nylon shower curtain liners at Target are great. Vinyl is horrible for the environment, off-gasses nasty stuff that you don't want to breathe, and is difficult to clean, prone to cracking... The nylon liners are only available in solid colors, but they do come in quite a range and are machine washable, as someone pointed out.
I also have a nylon shower curtain from Target. It works really well and it doesn't stink like vinyl. I throw it in the wash now and then and it comes out perfectly clean.
1 on vinyl being nasty and bad for you.
I have a Hotel Shower Curtain from Restoration Hardware. It's plain white, but fabric and mostly keeps the water in, can be washed, etc. As they age (this is the 2nd or 3rd I've had) they do tend to lose some of the waterproofness. But they do look nice.
I have to say my favorite thing in our tiny tiny bathroom is the curved shower curtain rod. I highly recommend them. It holds the curtain out just enough to make a shower very roomy.
Am I the only one who loves the smell of new vinyl??
i also have a great target nylon curtain. sounds like its your best bet so far!
talkingcrow where did you get your curved shower rod? we are looking for one
I just bought this one from Ikea - http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30093521 - and so far, so good.
We got out curved shower curtain rod at Bed Bath and Beyond, but I see them all of the time at TJ Maxx now. Must be liquidated Linens 'n' Things inventory!
IKEA WHITE NYLON CURTAIN. MACHINE WASHABLE TOO.
Check out this recent post:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/good-finds/environmentally-friendly-bathroom-art-ty-diy-recyclable-shower-curtain-101694
It's recyclable, not vinyl, and you can create your own design. Perfect solution.
I got tired of my vinyl shower curtain liners and tub mildewing so quickly, so I bought a hemp shower curtain. It's used without a liner so it's more breathable (no more mildew!). You just wring it out when you're done showering and toss it in the washing machine periodically.
The only downside to this awesome hemp shower curtain? $80 price tag. (Yes, I am horribly embarrassed to admit that I spent $80 on a freakin' shower curtain.)
Fabric curtains do not need a liner.
I bought a nylon liner and hated it, because it would get wet and stick to the fabric curtain and they'd both end up soaked by the end of my long showers.
It might not be your style, but try one made out of old sails:
http://www.ellavickers.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=44
http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?source=related_ug&itemId=17207