Yes, your shower curtain or, more specifically, your plastic liner, is likely toxic. Most are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and off-gas dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) like toluene and xylene. No other plastic contains or releases as many dangerous chemicals including: dioxins, hormone disrupting chemicals called phthalates, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, lead, cadmium, and organotins into the air you breathe. These chemicals can damage the respiratory system, liver, kidney, central nervous system, and have been connected to diseases such as cancer. PVC-containing shower curtains can emit 108 chemicals in the air according to studies by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, CHEJ. You can recognize this evil plastic (yes, I’m 100% comfortable calling it that), by locating the recycling number inside the triangle. PVC will always be a number 3 (not good for you or recycling). To get better equipped with the dangers to both your health and the environment, read our past posts: PVC?

and PVC: THE POISON PLASTIC! Get Safer Supplies & Back to School Guides But, back to your beloved bathroom and breathing easier! The good news is healthy alternatives to nasty PVC options do exist. We recommend hemp because it is naturally resistant to mildew and bacteria and can be machine washed. It also doesn’t require a plastic liner. Yes, they will cost you a bit more (but, you’re sooo worth it!). Here are some of our favorites. Let us know if you have a fave in the comments below. Earthsake $119.00 – 100% pesticide-free Romanian hemp shower curtain. Does not require a liner. Resistant to mold and bacteria and dries quickly. It is machine washable. GreenHome $105.00 – Romanian grown hemp which is grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The shower curtain will get wet, but will not leak through. natural resistance to mildew and bacteria, and can be machine washed to clean any grime buildup. Rawganique $42.50 – $109.00 – Made from 100% organic European hemp grown.

Use with or without a liner. Coyuchi $214.00-$236.00 – Can be used with or without a liner. Earthsake $126.40 – May be used with a liner or without-just squeeze the   water out of the lower edge after use and let it dry. sedar curtains ownerHangs from rustproof metal grommets. white blackout curtains kmartCotton/linen is made in India from flax grown in France and Belgium, and 100% organic cotton from India.megadeth black swan letra español Coyuchi $158.00 – 100% organic cotton. y33 curtainsCan be used with or without a liner.curtains and pelmets liverpool

Coyuchi – $162.00 100% organic cotton. GreenHome – $82.14 100% Certified Fairtrade and Organic cotton shower curtain. cream blackout curtains 66x54A second curtain may be necessary as a liner as these have a sheer like texture, but also works well alone for areas with a smaller splash factor.pvc strip curtains miamiRepels water naturally w/out liner. 100% certified organic cotton canvas. So Well Made – $39.94. For a limited time, this also comes with a free organic cotton hand towel. Choose natural or white. The Best Non-Vinyl Shower Curtain — powered by ehow Many of our readers made comments below about the above options being too expensive. Sometimes in life, you’re forced between choosing the lesser of two evils. In this case, if you can’t afford any of the above, then we recommend PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) over PVC.

While they’re not perfect (made from petroleum; a non-renewable resource and contains chemicals), PEVA and EVA are made from chloride-free vinyl which delivers touchable softness and waterproof function without the smell of traditional PVC vinyl. Both are PVC free, biodegradable, don’t off-gas and are affordable. However, buyer beware as a new study published in the Journal of Toxicological Sciences found PEVA toxic to living organisms. Further studies are needed to determine toxicity in humans. You can find these at BedBathstore $3.99+ or Target $9.99+.  Styles are also available from West Elm or Pottery Barn for only $12.00. Or, the PEVA liner from Cb2 for $9.95. They’re chloride & odor free and offer a safer alternative to PVC versions. Also, buyer beware when it comes to liners. Steer clear of labels: mold or mildew resistant. This means that the product is or contains an antimicrobial chemical which interferes with the growth of mold and mildew. It does not mean that the product will kill disease-causing bacteria or provide a health benefit.

Remember – shower to shower each day, but keep toxins at bay! Sign Up to Receive Free Healthy Home Tips and Giveaways from Ron and Lisa! I don't know about the rest of the world, but I do NOT want a shower curtain to follow me around the shower, try to "help" me scrub my back, or do ANYthing other than keep the water in the shower... Lightweight shower curtains are useless except as decor, and then ONLY over a good heavy-duty shower liner... like this one! It is sturdy, easy to hang, easy to clean, and there are NO MORE KLINGONS IN MY SHOWER! Buy a couple, and take back your bath! This was a replacement for an identical shower curtain liner I had bought 5 years ago. This liner is a nice, thick weight. Great reinforcement at the shower hook openings. This liner can be washed in the machine and line-dried, and it washes well. The only reason I replaced the original was because I did a complete overhaul of the bathroom, and thought it was time for a new liner. I bought the extra-long liner because the new shower curtain is 84 inches long, so needed a longer liner.

you won't be disappointed! I was just looking for an inexpensive liner, but this one does come with a few nice features. Some magnets/weights on the bottom to help it stay in place. Also they have little suction cups on each side to help stick to shower when in use. Very happy with it. I bought this due to the great reviews, especially people mentioning the magnets and suckers that hold it in place. So I am very disappointed to find this shower curtain wrapping itself around me every time I shower! It is of a decent quality, durable, waterproof and looks nice, but if you have any kind of decent water pressure then this curtain will dance for you... The magnets aren't many enough to be effective and the suckers are on the sides (not along the bottom where they'd be more usefully placed), so it stays in place at the edge but creates a 'sail' effect that still blows in and onto you. Not worth sending back for the price, am hoping implementing an outer curtain will reduce the draft and stop it from blowing in on me...

This shower curtain is very durable and does not cloud with age. Machine wash and hang to dry. Outlasts any other shower curtain. Allows lots of light into the shower area. Normally when I purchase clear shower curtain liners, they have a really toxic smell to them. This had no toxic odor at all! Shower curtain is well made, heavyweaight and I love the little suction cups on the ends. Those little suction cups help to keep water from dripping all over my bathroom floor. Overall, this is an excellent product and worth the money! This liner is a heavy weight plastic with suction cups. Really good quality for the price. We use clear shower curtains to block out the cold in the winter in a room with old windows. They are not clear, but cloudy. They might be fine for a shower curtain---though aren't all that "heavy duty" either--but do not work for what we wanted. holds to the shower and tub better than lightweight liners, easy cleaning, lasts much longer, withstands laundering better than lightweights, well worth the cost.