Now I've made a big mistake when I went out and purchased a plastic bottle of stuff to try to fix the problem, which did NOT fix the problem.    I feel bad about the plastic bottle now.  ! (it was "Natural Enzyme-Based Earthworm brand Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Treatment")  I have read about using lemon juice and salt and leaving it in the sun, and now I see here about vinegar and hot water in the washing machine. Does anyone have any actually tried and true fix for mildew? It is going to be a big job so I want to do what will really work.

After I get rid of the existing mildew, any ideas on how to prevent it in the future, short of putting in ventilation, which we aren't going to do?  I have an idea that maybe I should get some type of oil, and try to turn it into a kind of oilcloth, like they used to have raincoats made of? If there were curtain hooks that were more easily put on and off, maybe drying it outside every day might be an idea.

Sadly bad design has the biggest part to play in many peoples homes. Baths were made to bath in, not shower. I've never liked most designs combining the two.

Mildew is the bane of a closed wet bathroom. Depending on how closed yours is will suggest how often the curtain should be put through the washing machine. Then rinse it with a solution of DILUTED vinegar. Sink it in, not just spray it. You might get some people comment on the smell of vinegar when you hang it straight back up in the bathroom but it does clear up quickly enough and it's healthier than mold spores.

The curtain is there to stop splashes from spreading. Any tight weave fabric should do this. Natural fiber will degrade quickly if left wet and therefore need more care, but this could be as simple as washing regularly every couple of days as you would your clothes. Also, this is a sign your product has a life cycle and will go back to the earth without issue. Something to be glad about.

- Chantal

Something else to consider...

Chantal (Full disclosure: I am co-owner of LifeWithoutPlastic.com)

This is the shower curtain I've been using for years now.  It does get wet, that's just the nature of it!  I have it in the tub when I'm showering, and sometime after I've showered and it has had a chance to drip some of the water off into the tub, I then pull it outside the tub to dry.  The thing about it is that you can just throw it in the wash periodically to prevent mildewing (when I wash mine I do so in hot water with vinegar).  Granted, I live in a dry climate, you might have more trouble with it.  But I have used mine successfully for years and love not having a plastic shower curtain!