It's Curtains for Vinyl
We probably could smell our way to becoming better green citizens, especially when it comes to conventional shower curtains and other vinyl products that off-gas toxic odors. If they reek, they’re probably bad for us and the planet.
But will cotton coverage keep you dry? Not as much as the nasty plastic, so just be careful where you aim your shower head.
You might try the Pack Cloth liners, $50 from Pristine Planet, which are made from durable urethane-coated nylon, a fabric which doesn’t off-gas chemicals.
For curtains, check out these options:
The Birch Shower curtain from Eco Bathroom is understated in its damask weave neutral pattern, but offers a healthier way to keep that bathroom floor dry while rinsing off. Made of organic cotton and linen, it’s $98 and very washable.
Hemp is another way to go clean in the shower. Did you know a vinyl shower curtain releases more than 100 different volatile oganic compounds into the air during the first month hanging in your shower? This natural material is soft and pretty and will arrive much bigger than advertized at Green Home. It shrinks to its actual size after several washings. Also, pretty hemp selections are available from “Eco wise” along with natural brass rings.
A touch of pastel lines these cotton chenille curtains from Land of Nod, $50.
Sohpisiticated for an eco option, the metrobrown organic twill curtains come in two-toned brown or moss, from $75 at No Feathers Please.
Of course the rings make a difference, too. Avoid plastic and find cool twine and hemp designs, like these colorful ones from Rawganique.
Image: House of Sims
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2 Comments
November 4th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Great information — thanks.
Two related questions:
Is it better to keep or throw out an older vinyl shower curtain? We have one that is 15 years old and, presumably, has off-gassed all that it’s got. And landfilling it doesn’t seem an ecologically preferable choice.
And the other reason we’ve hesitated to replace it is that we like the translucency. We have a window in our shower and would hate to lose that daylight and close in the room with an opaque curtain. Does anyone make a translucent non-vinyl curtain?
November 4th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Good question, David. It’s one I have faced, myself. It doesn’t make sense to toss it now if it is serving your needs. You’re right, it probably has finished out-gassing and don’t buy a new one if you don’t need it. In the future if you can afford it, consider a recycled glass shower splash guard which will still allow in the light and keep water off the floor. Many clients prefer the door over curtains in general.
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