Many people search for the answer to "how to clean bath mats". Whether we are stepping out of a relaxing bath or jumping out of a hot shower, we all use our bath mats every single day.
But when it comes to washing, bath mats can often be overlooked and forgotten.
How often should you be washing your bath mat and why is it so important? We will try to explain all in this blog post.
Why washing is important
Washing your bath mat on a regular basis is extremely important.
Expert Home Tips say that, because they live on the floor, one of the biggest problems for both bath mats and pedestal mats is that they don't get a chance to dry out fully.
The prevalence of both moisture and warm conditions creates the perfect environment for germs and bacteria to grow which, of course, is the last thing that you want to step out on to after a wash.
This is where you need to begin to consider how much use your bath mat gets and how often you should be washing it.
The more that your bath mat gets used, the less time it will have to dry out and therefore the higher chance of unseen germs or mould or mildew setting in.
How often should I wash my bath mat?
The answer to this question is dependent on your household and the use that your bath mat gets.
If you are ever unsure, a good rule of thumb would be to wash your bath mat once a week.
If you live alone, and your bath mat doesn't see a great deal of use, you could wash your bath mat once a month. This is also kinder to the environment, saving energy and using less detergent.
However if you live with family or friends, we would recommend washing your bath mat at least once a week to ensure that it is kept as fresh as possible.
Always check the care label
One thing to always remember before washing any bath mat: always check the care label.
Depending on the bath mat's material or construction, care instructions can differ slightly from mat to mat.
Some recommendations apply to all of our bath mats, such as using a gentle cycle, using detergents recommended for colours and not using bleach to wash them.
Also, we would suggest that all bath mats should be washed separately. This is even more important for bath mats crafted with cotton.
Cotton is a natural fibre, which can break down in the washing and tumbling process. That can result in a small amount fibre shedding with every wash.
To ensure long lasting performance, check out our deep cotton pile Hotel Bath Mats.
We guarantee satisfaction with these mats - they can go through 250 washes without any noticeable signs of wear and tear thanks to their robust and durable construction.
These mats can be line-dried, tumble dried or hung over a radiator but leave plenty of time for drying as their heavyweight construction means that they may take a little longer than usual to dry out.
One way of drying or removing excess water that we would caution against is ring-drying by hand. Doing this can result in the bath mat losing its shape which may be difficult to get back.
Alternatively, why not check out our easy care, quick-drying Microfibre Bath Mat and Pedestal Mats.
These bath mats can be machine washed and tumble dried on a low heat. They can even be hung over the radiator to dry, with their TPR backing not susceptible to cracking despite exposure to the heat.
However, if you opt for a natural rubber backed bath mat such as the Madrid Bath Mat and Kempton Bath Mat, you will be better off tumble or line drying.
Exposure to the high heat of a radiator may result in the rubber cracking, which will mean the bath mat may lose it's non-slip quality.
Our Supersoft Chenille Bath Mats are also an incredible easy care option for your bathroom.
These mats can withstand daily use thanks to their quick-drying properties, and will always retain their softness and shape after washing.
Don't forget, always remember to check the care label for product specific instructions.
What else can I do?
There are steps that you can take to reduce the amount of moisture absorbed by your bath mat, helping it to dry out quicker.
One easy thing that we would recommend is to hang your bath mat up whilst you aren't using it.
Making sure both sides of the mat are exposed to air will ensure it dries out faster and reduces the risk of mold or mildew growth.
Removing your damp bath mats from the floor can also avoid the possibility of any colour transfer taking place, particular from dark bath mats on to light-coloured flooring.
One other thing that often gets overlooked is making sure you clean your washing machine and tumble dryer filters regularly.
It is crucial that you clean these filters routinely, as they collect everything from hair, tissue and any loose fibres during the wash or dry.
This will help ensure that you don't experience any problems with the performance of your machine, and can also have a number of other benefits too.
Another simple tip is that you can take your bath mats outside and give them a good old shake!
Doing this will help remove loose dirt, dust and hair and will keep them as fresh as possible without popping them in the wash and wasting energy.
Finally, always try to remember to open your bathroom window or switch on your bathroom's extractor fan after your bath or shower.
Adding some ventilation to the room will dramatically reduce the levels of steam.
Steam will cling to all surfaces including walls and bath mats alike, producing ripe conditions for mold and mildew growth which you should take all possible steps to avoid.