Natural Shower Curtains for an Eco-Friendly Bathroom
In the market for a new shower curtain? While the most sustainable shower curtain is the one you have, natural shower curtains can be more eco-friendly than plastic PVC or vinyl shower curtains.
Additionally, they are more durable and easy to clean because they can be thrown in the washing machine for a quick refresh. If you’re concerned about health, natural fabric shower curtains won’t emit any potentially toxic fumes associated with plastic curtains. And as a bonus, natural shower curtains offer a luxurious, upscale look and feel to give your bathroom that perfect finishing touch.
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What Makes a Shower Curtain Eco-Friendly?
Materials
An eco-friendly shower curtain begins with renewable growing and harvesting practices, including using renewable and organic fibers, such as hemp, organic cotton, flax (to make linen), and bamboo. These materials are biodegradable, naturally resistant to mold and mildew, and washable for a long-lasting life. There are also some certifications that brands can attain, including:
- OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: This certification is for textile products and verifies the absence of harmful substances in all stages of production to assure consumers that their product has been tested for harmful substances and is safe to use.
RELATED: How to Iron Linen
Ethical Supply Chain and Labor Practices
Beyond materials, there are ethical supply chain practices that brands can adopt every step of the way. Additionally, brands can ensure ethical labor practices with no child labor, safe working conditions, and fair wages for all employees.
- GOTS-certified: This certification standard spans the supply chain, including processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading, and distribution, ensuring compliance with environmental and social criteria (such as the use of certified organic fibers, no use of toxic chemicals, safe and fair working conditions, and supply chain traceability and transparency).
- Fair Trade Certified: This certification is awarded to companies that meet specific standards related to fair prices, safe working conditions, and sustainable environmental practices.
Charitable Giving
Some companies highlight their commitment to charitable giving to organizations that support the environment or communities of people to promote sustainable economic development. I’ll note any company commitments to these practices.
What is the Most Sustainable Shower Curtain?
The most sustainable shower curtain is the one you already own. If you already have a plastic curtain that just needs a good cleaning, try out these tips.
Best Brands for Natural Shower Curtains
Parachute
Parachute is an LA-based brand that is Climate Neutral Certified, with GOTS-certified, OEKO-TEX-certified products produced using materials from suppliers that are Responsible Down Standard-certified, and Global Recycled Standard-Certified.
Additionally, the brand is working on introducing additional circular programs after introducing their first in 2022. Their wide-ranging commitments include efforts around sustainability, DEI, and fair trade practices. They note that their rugs today are Fair Trade Certified and include a 2023 target to their fair trade offerings. I appreciated Parachute’s transparency as they outlined their 2023 and 2024 targets.
Their price range is on the higher side, but their products are designed to be high quality, durable, and timeless. Personally, I thought the Turkish shower curtain with the hand knotted fringe was beautiful!
PROS:
- Climate Neutral Certified
- GOTS-certified
- OEKO-TEX-certified
- Carbon neutral shipping
CONS:
- Expensive
- Shower curtains are not Fair Trade Certified but the company is making future commitments to increasing fair trade offerings
SPECS:
- Materials: Cotton and linen
- Ethics: Verified by third-party entities
- Price: Starting at $70 (at time of publication)
Boll & Branch
Boll & Branch, established in 2014, describe themselves as the first 100% organic Fair Trade Certified bedding company. They are most known for their bedding and towels but also sell items such as fabric shower curtains. Boll & Branch sources their raw material directly to ensure high quality and is committed to ethical labor and sustainability.
PROS:
- Organic
- Fair Trade Certified
CONS:
- Expensive
- Some third-party reviews are mixed regarding durability and longevity of their bedding products
SPECS:
- Materials: 100% organic cotton
- Ethics: Verified by third-party entities
- Price: Starting at $108 (at time of publication)
Coyuchi
Coyuchi is a California-based company established in 1991 that uses 100% organic fibers and a traceable supply chain. They have a range of products inspired by the California coastline. Coyuchi has attained several seals and certifications, including the Global Organic Latex Standard (though, of course shower curtains do not contain latex).
Additionally, they partner with the Chetna Coalition, a supply chain network that supports sustainable farming communities in India.
PROS:
- GOTS-certified
- Fair Trade Certified
- MADE SAFE Seal
- Member of 1% for the Planet
CONS:
- Expensive
SPECS:
- Materials: 100% organic cotton
- Ethics: Verified by third-party entities
- Price: Starting at $128 (at time of publication)
Etsy: Dusty Linen
This Lithuania-based Etsy shop has a variety of beautiful shower curtains. I especially loved the deep emerald color they offer. I did not see any third-party certifications the shop had achieved, but since it’s an Etsy shop, I wasn’t completely surprised. Additionally, while the linen meets the OEKO-TEX standard, it is not OEKO-TEX certified. The country of Lithuania has a long history with linen textiles and is known for the linen that they manufacture.
PROS:
- Linen meets OEKO-TEX standard
CONS:
- A waterproof curtain liner is an option but unclear which material it is made of
- No third-party sustainability certifications listed
- No information available on commitments to ethical labor practices
SPECS:
- Materials: Linen
- Ethics: Unverified
- Price: Starting at $150 (at time of publication)
Rawganique
Rawganique is a company started in British Columbia, Canada in 1997. The website / retail experience feels a bit dated, but they claim to have organic products made in Europe, the US, or Canada. However, their products start out at a slightly lower price point than the other options.
PROS:
- Organic
- Sweatshop-free
- Slightly more affordable
CONS:
- Potentially poor customer service
- No third-party sustainability certifications listed
- No information available on commitments to ethical labor practices
SPECS:
- Materials: Hemp, cotton, or linen
- Ethics: Unverified
- Price: Starting at $55 (at time of publication)
Pottery Barn
This is a brand you have probably been familiar with for many years. In recent years they have stepped up their commitments to ethical labor practices and sustainable manufacturing practices, but like with most companies — there is still a way to go. They have GOTS-certified products, FSC-certified products, GreenGuard Gold, Nest Seal, Global Recycled Standard, and they are a member of Better Cotton.
PROS:
- Range of prices including affordable options
- Large variety of patterns/designs
- Fair Trade Certified
- OEKO-TEX-certified
- Nest Seal
- Global Recycled Standard
- GreenGuard Gold
- Better Cotton
CONS:
- Country of origin not listed
SPECS:
- Materials: Linen or cotton
- Ethics: Verified by third-party entities
- Price: Starting at $29 (at time of publication)
How to Dispose of Old Shower Curtains
Here are some ways to dispose of old shower curtains:
- Recycle: Many municipalities accept plastic shower curtains in their recycling programs. Check with your local recycling center or waste management facility to see if they accept plastic shower curtains. You can also recycle textiles at clothing recycling centers.
- Upcycle: You can upcycle your old shower curtains by turning them into other household items, such as reusable shopping bags, tablecloths for kids craft projects, or even outdoor furniture covers. Get creative!
- Compost: If your shower curtain is made from natural fibers like cotton or linen, you can compost it along with other organic materials. Cut the shower curtain into small pieces to speed up the decomposition process.
- Donate: Consider donating your old shower curtain to a local animal shelter or wildlife rehabilitation center for them to use in their animal cages.
- Dispose of it in the trash bin: If you can’t recycle or upcycle your old shower curtain, dispose of it in the trash bin.
Check out our guide on recycling old clothes for a more detailed overview of how to recycle and compost textiles.
FAQs
Shower curtains made of natural materials, such as cotton, hemp, or flax (used to make linen) do biodegrade. Shower curtains made of synthetic materials such as vinyl, polyester, or nylon are not biodegradable or partially biodegradable.
The best natural fabric for a shower curtain depends on your personal preferences and needs. Out of natural fabrics, hemp is the most sustainable in terms of requiring less land to grow than cotton or flax, which is used to produce linen. Additionally, animals such as bees prefer hemp over flax.
Shower curtains made of any fabric material are easy to clean. In general, solid and light-colored fabrics are more likely to show stains compared to patterned fabrics. Note that linen curtains may require a quick pass of an iron or steamer (what I use) after washing.
The one you have! After that, opt for a vinyl- and PVC-free shower curtain liner such as one made from recycled polyester, organic cotton, or hemp. You can also coat a natural fabric with beeswax to give it a more water-resistant finish and keep the shower water in the shower and your shower curtain drier. For example, the Rawganique curtain comes with an optional beeswax bar.
