The forces generated by this airflow are pretty weak. They are only sufficient to pull light, thin curtains inward. That explains why people with heavy plastic curtains typically don't have this problem. Also, if someone has poor water pressure or a poorly atomizing showerhead, they may not see the curtain suck in.
What is the best way to keep the curtain from sucking in? Because the force is pretty weak, the easiest thing to do is to sew weights in the bottom. Or, if you have a metal tub, magnets can hold the curtain in place.
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Add CommentMr. Schmidt, have you simulated the effect of having a human body standing in the shower while it's running? Seems as though it would break up your precious (two-week run of $28,000 software package) vortex.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSeriously, best of luck with your endeavors, but remember that the premise makes the problem.
The reason the curtain moves is simple. Put a wet hand between the curtain and liner and you will find a big updraft filling the space between the curtain and liner. the downward flow of water displaces air that is pushed to the bottom of the shower were it is directed up the side of the shower and under the curtain. If you put a yardsick below the curtain to block the air, then turn the shower on, the effect disappears
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisUtter hogwash. I tested this theory, and the only thing that makes any difference is the temperature of the water. Hot air rises, vents out the top of the shower stall and sucks cooler air in from the bottom.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiswell yes hot air rises but this downward flow is much stronger. I placed a large board between the water flow and the liner(with a 3 inch gap at the bottom for air to flow to the curtian) and the effect still occurs!. that should have prevented the vortex from affecting the liner. anyone with a shower and curtain want to test this and weigh in?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisProblem Solved. No, not the scientific question, but the technical solution to the real world problem. The annoying billowing-curtain effect is eliminated when a flap (about a foot deep) is sewn across the bottom of the curtain, and the curtain arranged so the side of the tub is between the flap and the curtain. I don't know which air-flow theory explains it, but it works. No more shower curtain sticking to your legs.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this(I accidentally googled to this site while looking to replace such a shower curtain.)
Hello, desertman001!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm French and I'm carrying out a school project about "Why does the shower curtain move toward the water?" and I'll speak about the David Schmidt's vortex theory (which is very stricking then) so tried to highlight the lines of vortex by various experiences but in vain.
I read that you have tested an experience which worked but I didn't all anderstood...
Could you explain me, if it doesn't disturb you...
And just a little question: is the difference between a bathtub and a shower important for this experience because I only have got a shower at home!
Thank you...
annou, sorry for the late response, just saw your post. for it to work there has to be overlap so the curtian hangs down below the side of the enclosure. You should also have a shower curtian liner and a shower curtian so the air has a place to gather in between the two. If the curtian covers the shower entry then the air will come up from the bottom of the shower and fill the curtian /liner area and push the liner outward. Good Luck
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