Shower curtains are one of the most important bathroom necessities around the world. They are used as a barrier against water spill of shower onto the bathroom floor. They also give people the privacy they desire in the bathroom.
Today, we are going to discuss whether shower curtains are supposed to touch the floor or not.
Are shower curtains supposed to touch the floor?
Shower curtains are not supposed to touch the floor according to many experts. Shower curtains that touch the floor can cause many accidents like trip, fall or slip. The shower curtains need to be installed at a height of at least four to five inches off the floor.
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Experts voice their opinion about shower curtains that should not touch the bathroom floor. A shower curtain’s main purpose is to provide you privacy in the shower. But the decorative element of the shower curtain often decides whether it touches the floor or not.
From the safety point of view, it is not wise to have your shower curtains touch the floor for various reasons. A shower curtain soaked in water can cause you to trip or fall over it. This trip or fall can cause serious damage to your body needing immediate medical attention.
You do not want to run the risk of falling over a shower curtain just because it looks beautiful.
Shower curtains can become a source of germs if they are constantly in contact with the bathroom’s water. You do not want to catch germs on your body just after you have taken a shower.
The standard height of a shower curtain is considered to be six feet and it should be installed at least four to five inches off the floor.
Do your shower curtains have to touch the floor? Is it ok to have shower curtains touch the floor?
Shower curtains work as a decorative element along with giving you privacy. The decorative part of the shower curtains often decide whether shower curtains touch the floor or not. However, experts suggest that shower curtains should not touch the floor for hygiene purposes.
Shower curtains touching the floor work as a carrier of various dangerous germ components.
Some people might prefer their shower curtains touching the floor while others might not. It is not okay to have shower curtains touch the floor if you think about the variety of risks it represents.
A long shower curtain in contact with the bathroom floor can also cause accidents like falling on the floor.
4 reasons why shower curtains shouldn’t touch the floor
There are several reasons which explain the consequences of shower curtains touching the floor. Let’s discuss those reasons in detail.
Hygiene issue:
It is not hygienic to have your shower curtains touch the floor. The bathroom floor is not a neat and clean area and is often infested with thousands of germs. If you let your shower curtains touch the floor, the germs will hop onto the shower curtains.
It will make it easier for the germs to get into your body through the shower water. The germ can get onto your body directly when you come in contact with the shower curtains.
Safety issue:
It is not safe at all to let your shower curtains touch the bathroom floor. The floor of the bathroom is most of the time covered with water coming from the shower and other sources of water.
If you have long shower curtains touching the floor, it can cause accidents like fall, trip and slip when getting in and out of shower.
These types of accidents are very common in bathrooms and having a long shower curtain touching the floor can increase the possibilities of these accidents.
If you want to avoid the risk of accidents while using the shower, it is better to have shower curtains installed that do not touch the floor at all.
Shabby looks:
Many people prefer having shower curtains that touch the floor. It increases the beauty of their bathroom according to them. But it also gives off a shabby look about the bathroom. The bottom of the shower curtain always stays soaked in water if it is touching the floor.
The bottom of the shower curtain can also become discolored faster than other areas of the curtain due to soaking.
Infestation of mold:
If your shower curtain is always soaked in water, it can create mold on it. The mold of the shower curtain is not very easy to get rid of.
How far should a shower curtain be off the floor?
It is suggested by experts that you need to install your shower curtain in such a way that it stays four to five inches off the floor. In this way, the shower curtain will not be soaked in water. It will also prevent you from tripping or falling.
Some people prefer installing the shower curtain as low as two inches off the floor. In this case, it is almost similar to touching the floor when you hang it so low off the ground. A low hanging shower curtain can get infested with germs more easily than a high hanging shower curtain.
A low hanging shower curtain becomes soaked in water as the water spill easily catches onto it. That is why hanging the shower curtain about a half feet off the floor gives you a better result.
Where should a shower curtain hit? Are shower curtains a standard size?
A shower is usually installed by using a rod. The rod sits at the top of the shower curtain and lets the shower curtain hang from there. The rod of the shower curtain should be placed seventy five to seventy seven inches off the floor.
The standard height of a shower curtain is believed to be seventy two inches. The width of a shower curtain should also be seventy two inches. Basically, the standard size of a shower curtain is six feet by six feet.
But the standard size can vary according to your need and the structure of the bathroom.
If the height of the bathroom is larger than usual, then a seventy two inches shower curtain will not be useful and a longer one will be required. Similarly, if you have a slightly narrow shower, then you will not need a seventy two inches wide curtain will not be needed.
If you have a smaller shower, then a fifty four inches wide shower curtain will be more than enough.
You do not always have to adhere to the standard size and can install a different size of shower curtain that meets your demands and needs.
How should I choose a shower curtain length?
Choosing the right length for a shower can look like a daunting task. But it is really easy if you manage to follow the steps discussed below.
Consider the width:
A standard size shower is typically seventy two inches wide. A six feet wide shower curtain can cover a bath that has a measurement of sixty inches in width. The width can vary depending on the kind of bathtub or shower space you have.
A longer or shorter shower space will require a longer or shorter shower curtain.
Consider the height:
Next, you will need to take the height measurement of your shower. A shower curtain is generally installed at a height of seventy seven inches off the floor.
But the height of shower curtain should be seventy two inches to ensure that the bottom of the shower curtain stays and does not come in contact with the floor.
If the structure of the bathroom requires a taller or shorter shower curtain, then you will need to adjust the height according to your need.
The installment of the rod:
The installment of the rod that supports your shower curtain can also affect the height and width. If you have a pre-installed shower rod, then you will need to select the height and width of your shower curtain according to the height and width of the rod.
If your bathroom does not come with a pre-installed shower rod, you can select the height and width of the shower curtain before you finalize the rod’s measurement.
Personal preference:
Personal preference plays a huge part when it comes to selecting the length of a shower curtain. Specially, the height of the shower curtain is most often selected on whether someone wants their shower curtain to touch the floor or not.
You can certainly take your personal preference into consideration while finalizing the width and height of the shower curtain.
Final Thoughts
One should not let the shower curtains touch the floor because of safety and sanitary issue. A shower curtain touching the floor can become a carrier of germs. The top of a seventy two inches shower curtain needs to be installed at a height of seventy six to seventy inches from the floor.