Do You Need a Shower Curtain Liner? Honest Answer

ByDEMIRTAY · 2026-11-09

Short answer: it depends on the fabric of your curtain and on how your shower sprays. Here is how to decide.

You need a liner if...

Your curtain is cotton, linen or another natural fabric that absorbs water.
Your shower head points directly at the curtain.
Small children splash a lot at bath time.
You want the decorative curtain to stay cleaner and need washing less often.

You can skip the liner if...

Your curtain is water-resistant polyester, like most printed and art shower curtains.
The shower sprays mostly at the wall and the curtain only gets splashes.
You prefer the look of a single layer and wash the curtain about once a month.

Choosing a liner

Clear PEVA: lets light through and does not hide your curtain's design from the inside.
Fabric liner: softer, machine washable and quieter than plastic.
Magnets or weights along the bottom hem stop the liner from blowing in.

How to hang curtain and liner together

Put both on the same hooks: the liner hangs inside the tub, the decorative curtain outside. Step-by-step instructions are in how to hang a shower curtain.