Shower curtains are essential to prevent water splashes and condensation on the walls and look appealing in the shower or bathtub area.
Can You Shower Without a Shower Curtain? You can shower without shower curtains, as they are more prone to trap mold and bacteria, remains wet in poorly ventilated areas, and are difficult to clean and maintain. In addition, they are less durable and offer less privacy than glass, wood, or sliding doors. However, there are different alternatives to shower curtains, like adding frosted glass, wooden screens, and bamboo panels, that are more famous than these curtains.
It is common to shower without these curtains, as many people have installed different hangings to cover this area and enjoy a long bath. In addition, different people have walk-in showers without curtains.
Why would you shower without a shower curtain?
Some people avoid using the curtains and prefer to bathe without these hangings because of the following reasons.
Prevent mold and bacteria
They are more prone to mold and bacteria accumulation because they are made of polyester and cotton fabric that absorbs moisture and condensation after a hot bath.
The chances of mold on glass doors are less compared to the plastic and cotton hangings because they are polished with mildew-resistant finishers to avoid mold growth.
Microorganisms like bacteria can grow in moist and wet things, and damp curtains are one of their favorite place to live, grow and spread.
Remain wet in poorly ventilated areas
Since they are hanging around the shower area, the water, soap, and shampoo splashes can make them remain wet for a long time in poorly ventilated areas.
The humidity in small space bathroom areas after bathing remains in the air if you do not turn on the exhaust fan and the curtain get this humidity from the air.
The damp curtains cause stingy smells if you fold them after a bath and do not let them dry properly.
The area without any window or bathroom fan is another reason the curtains remain wet and smelly over time. This also happens when you take a bath without a shower head.
Difficult to clean and maintain
They are challenging to clean as you have to remove them from the rods and detach the clips to wash them. Some hangings are made from fabric that needs to be washed by hand and took the extra tie and hard work to clean them.
Moreover, the shower doors are easy to clean; therefore, some people do not like these curtains around this area, as they are lazy to wash and maintain them.
They need regular maintenance, such as washing after two or three weeks and drying after every bath for a few minutes to prevent smell and dust accumulation.
Less durable than glass doors
They are not more durable, as the fabric can fade after a few washes, and you have to replace them. Therefore, most people bathe without these curtains and install glass or pivoted doors if they have large bathing areas.
These curtains can make the bathroom look less spacious and rough and old over time, which is why people like to have a bath without curtains.
They like to add glass doors that are more long-lasting and can survive environmental changes for a long time.
Offer less privacy
They offer less privacy compared to screens or doors because anyone can enter the shower area without knowing you are having a bath there.
People with large families and single bathrooms like to bathe without using curtains for more privacy while enjoying the bath.
It will restrict the other members from using the bathroom if you lock the door to have more privacy and save you from awkward situations.
Why do some people like to shower with shower curtains around?
Shower curtains look captivating because they are available in different prints, designs, and fabrics. They add beauty to the bathroom decoration, and you can select the color or printed one that goes well with the wall paints and other accessories.
They make the bathroom look more spacious, as you can fold them when no one is in the bathing area and hang them when you want to shower.
People like curtains instead of glass doors because glass doors occupy more space and are not suitable for small bathrooms.
The curtains are less expensive, and you can replace them with new hangings when they look rough, but the glass doors are difficult to replace as they are more expensive.
Therefore, some people like to have these curtains around the shower area when having a bath.
I have put cotton fabric hangings, and they look beautiful with the bathroom interior because I have a small bathroom and not enough space to install the glass door in this area.
It is not essential to put them in the bathroom when you are having a bath, as it depends on your preference and the space in this place.
What can you use instead of shower curtains?
There are many alternatives that you can install instead of shower curtains, and they are listed here.
Forested glass doors
Forested glass doors are famous for this place, as they provide privacy and are much more durable than curtains.
They have a textured surface and do not block light entirely, as the other hangings obstruct the sunlight or artificial light.
The door does not hide the outside view perfectly, and you can see if someone enters the bathroom, while wooden or other material doors obscure the outer scene completely.
Sliding doors
Sliding doors are used as the covering in this area, and you can select different materials for the doors, such as one side transparent glass, vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum.
They obstruct the outside view completely and are famous for providing extraordinary privacy while having a long bath.
You can slide the door into the wall when you are not using this area, and it causes more space in the bathroom.
They do not swing inward or outward but slide into the wall, which allows you to put other things or furniture products outside the shower area.
Wooden screens
The waterproof wooden screens are used as an alternative to the curtains and are made using high-quality moisture-resistant wood.
They give the bathroom an aesthetic appearance and are single-panel wooden screens to cover the bathroom part while bathing.
They are less durable than forested glass doors but can last longer than lightweight curtains, as you want to change these hangings after a few months.
They get warp over time if exposed to moisture for a long time; therefore, it is better to turn on the exhaust after having a bath to remove the humidity and condensation.
Bamboo panels
Bamboo panels are not fully waterproof but can resist humidity and moisture to a great extent. In addition, they look aesthetically appealing and are now used to separate the shower area from the toilet or other bathroom parts.
They are expensive because they take a lot of hard work and technique to manufacture the panels that fit in the shower area.
You can put the bamboo panels in the bathing area if you do not like the curtains, but the disadvantage of putting them is poor ventilation and a suffocating environment during a hot bath.
Drooping plants
Different plants, such as the one with long stems and more thick leaves, are generally used instead of fabric hangings if you do not have enough space or budget to install the glass doors or other screens in this area.
They not only cover the area but provide fresh air to breathe in the bathroom, as there are more chances of bacteria and germs in this place.
You need to take proper care and maintain them to make them look fresh and blooming because slight negligence in their maintenance causes them to dry and turn yellow.
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