First things, first. Start by filling your washing machine with warm water. You're going to put the curtain through a regular warm water wash.
Add the cup of vinegar to the washing machine.
Pour in the ½ cup of laundry detergent.
Add the towels. I had four towels that needed to be washed anyway, so I used those. The towels kind of work like scrubbers during the agitation cycle to help wipe away the soap scum and grime.
Now make sure your shower curtain and your towels are evenly distributed throughout the drum of the washer. Shut the lid and wait for the cycle to finish!
When the washing is complete, take your curtain and hang it up outside to dry or just carry it back into the bathroom and hang it back up in the shower and allow it to air dry in there.
Notes
Preparation is Key: Before starting the cleaning process, ensure that your washing machine is clean and free of any debris or detergent residue. Running a quick rinse cycle without any laundry can help ensure that the machine is ready to effectively clean your vinyl shower curtain.
Use Light-Colored Towels as Scrubbers: Adding light-colored towels to the washing machine along with the curtain helps to agitate and scrub away soap scum and grime. The towels act as gentle scrubbers during the wash cycle, aiding in the cleaning process without causing damage to the curtain.
Proper Drying: After the washing cycle is complete, it's important to dry the vinyl shower curtain properly to prevent mildew and odors. Hanging the curtain outside to dry in the sun can help to naturally disinfect and freshen it. Alternatively, hanging it back up in the bathroom and allowing it to air dry with good ventilation is also effective.