Infections: How Often Should You Change your Shower Curtain?

Here is some important news for renters who come to Panama on vacations or to start looking for your retirement location.  Home showers, one of the most basic elements of our daily hygiene, need to be cleaned properly and frequently. Otherwise, we expose ourselves to a “host” of germs, which can put our health and that of our families at risk, according to recent research.  The shower curtain is the dirtiest object in the home, containing on average 60 times more bacteria than the toilet seat, according to reports handled by the specialist bathroom accessories platform Showers to You (StY).   With this data in mind, the StY research team pinpoints the dirtiest areas and elements in the bathroom and how often each should be cleaned.  Aside from the shower, other places in the bathroom that accumulate the most dirt and deserve especially careful hygiene to prevent the spread of harmful germs include the toothbrush handle and holder; the sink faucet knobs; the light switches; and the toilet flush and seat, according to StY.

Shower Head

If not cleaned regularly, especially when humidity and heat are high, this bathroom fixture can accumulate lime scale, mold and bacteria such as Legionella, and harbor a layer of fungi capable of causing an infection of the hair follicles when it comes into contact with the skin, causing rashes and irritation in sensitive people.  To prevent the buildup of pathogens, the experts advise cleaning your shower head monthly, first soaking it in vinegar or a specialized cleaning product, and then scrubbing the nozzles with a fine-bristled toothbrush.  If the head is removable, it is recommended to disassemble it for thorough cleaning.
 

Bath Towels

The amount of bacteria present on a freshly washed towel increases dramatically after just one day of use and skyrockets after a week of use.  However a third of residents wash their bath towels once every three months, which can significantly increase the number of bacteria living on those washcloths, according to a survey by Showers to You.  “Humid environments encourage the growth of bacteria and mold which is especially prevalent in Panama, so it’s recommended to wash bath towels every three uses using hot water,” according to StY. 

Shower Scourers and Sponges

Because of the moisture they trap and the dead skin cells they accumulate, shower scourers and sponges are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold, whose growth is further encouraged by the warm, humid environment of the bathroom, according to StY.  When contaminated, these toiletries can cause skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, associated with inflammation of the hair follicles, so it is recommended to replace them monthly or disinfect them weekly by immersing them in a bleach or disinfectant solution.

Shower Curtain

According to Showers to You, “many people may be surprised by the recommendation to replace fabric shower curtains every 6-12 months, and plastic or vinyl shower curtains every 6 months, or even sooner if they show signs of mildew, wear, or a lingering odor.”   But they explain that this recommendation is fully justified, given that these curtains can accumulate 60 times more bacteria than those found on a toilet seat.   It would even be preferable to replace the curtains with a glass shower door or screen because they are made with a non-porous surface, which tends to harbor fewer germs than a textile or plastic surface.  In addition to changing them periodically, it is advisable to wash these curtains at least once a month.

Shower floor

“Surprisingly, a bathroom shower floor can harbor 60 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, due to the fact that various types of organic and environmental particles are trapped on the floor,” StY reports.  Since the shower floor is often damp and warm, making it an ideal breeding ground for mold, it is advisable to clean it weekly with a disinfectant to prevent the buildup of harmful fungi, which can cause respiratory problems, allergies, and unpleasant odors.