I'd get it dry cleaned. Shouldn't be too expensive, will keep it from shrinking (cotton can shrink by as much as 30% if it isn't preshrunk - a big deal with a shower curtain), and you also won't have to press it.

I do 99% of my laundry at home but that's one I'd go ahead and get dry cleaned.

I don't know. I think it's probably OK, but will it look completely weird if it shrinks a little? If not, I wouldn't worry about it.

More specifically, a (fairly expensive) shower curtain, 100% cotton, that has some spots on it. I checked the label before tossing it into the washer and was surprised to see that it says "dry clean only." So, I held off, but I am wondering if this is absolutely necessary. Does this mean that the fabric was not pre-shrunk? Will I kick myself for being too cheap to pay for dry cleaning?