Mandy PhillipsEver wondered if your shower curtain should touch the floor or hover just above it?
It might seem like a minor detail, but the answer can impact your bathroom’s hygiene and safety.
This guide will explore how high your shower curtain should be off the floor, blending aesthetics with safety in your bathroom design.
Aesthetics
Some people prefer to allow their shower curtains to touch the floor as it gives the bathroom a finished look.
Others are trying to hide an unsightly shower pan or a front tub.
To achieve this, you may lower your curtain rod a few inches down until your shower curtain rests on the floor.
To prevent water from splashing over the curtain, make sure that the top of the curtain is even with the shower head or higher.
Practicality
Going for the aesthetics when deciding on how to hang shower curtains is understandable, but would you completely ignore the risks that come with the idea of letting a shower curtain pooling on the floor?
Let’s look at some of the potential problems and dangers.
Trip and Fall Risk
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), slips, trips, and falls have been the No. 1 cause of emergency room visits since 2001.
Slip, trip, and fall accidents also account for 15 percent of all accidental deaths in the US.
You need to be extra careful when in a bathroom, as it is considered a high-risk area.
Removing a tripping hazard in the form of the grazing shower curtain is one way to prevent the risk of fall accidents in the bathroom.
Mold and Mildew Prevention
Mold and mildew growth is caused by moisture that remains after you take a shower or bathe in a tub.
Shower curtains are usually one of the primary targets for mold growth in your bathroom.
One of the ways to prevent mold growth on your shower curtain is to keep it closed after taking a shower.
This way, you keep a shower curtain from bunching up and prevent mildew growth in the folds.
By keeping your shower curtain off the floor, you are reducing the chances of mildew build-up.
In the US, the standard size for a shower curtain is around 72 inches by 72 inches.
To keep your shower curtain a few inches off the floor, simply install the shower rod around 75 to 77 inches from the floor.
Are Shower Curtains Supposed to Touch the Floor?
It is absolutely a personal choice.
While some people prefer to let their shower curtains touch the floor, my personal recommendation is to keep them off the floor to prevent possible fall accidents, mold development, and, in general, to keep them cleaner.
