When it comes to doing laundry it’s important not to forget the household items that need to be regularly cleaned. This is how to wash your bath mat.

• Why wash your bath mat?
• How often should you wash your mat?
• Using the washing machine 
• Hand washing 
• Leave it to the experts

Why wash your bath mat?

Bathrooms are the perfect environment for mold and bacteria. They are damp and humid, providing a ripe environment for mold to grow on every surface, including your bath mat. In addition to mold, bath mats can become slippy with oil buildup from spilled shower products. Regularly washing your bath mat will prevent these hazards.

 How often should you wash your mat?

Washing your bath mat largely depends on how many people use your bathroom and how often. This being said, as a rule of thumb, it is best to wash your bath mat at least once a week to prevent a build-up of bacteria and oil. 

Using the washing machine

The easiest way to wash your bath mat is by putting it in the washing machine. That being said, it is best to check the care label as it may be hand wash only. 

After checking your bath mats care label, take it outside and give it a good shake to remove any loose dirt. Shaking your mat out will also allow you to better see if there are any stains on your mat that need to be pre-treated. 

Once you have shaken out your mat, pre-treat any stains that you can see. You can use a standard stain remover or a natural stain remover, such as hydrogen peroxide. 

Next, put your bath mat in the washing machine as normal. It’s best to use a warm setting for your wash as you want to successfully get rid of any lingering bacteria. It is also best to wash your mat on its own as this will ensure it has optimal space in your washing machine and will guarantee a successful clean. 

When your wash is complete, dry your mat completely before putting it back in your bathroom. The best way to dry your mat is in the fresh air, however, if the weather does not permit this, you can use a low setting on your tumble dryer, or use a drying rack. If you are using a drying rack, make sure that there is ample ventilation to prevent musty smells and damp. 

Hand washing 

If you would prefer to not use your washing machine you can hand wash. 

Similarly to when using the washing machine, before you begin hand washing your mat shake it out to remove any loose dirt. 

To hand-wash your bath mat you will need to prepare a diluted bleach solution. It is best to do this in a bath or shallow sink so that you have plenty of room. Before preparing your bleach solution make sure that you are wearing gloves to protect your hands from coming into direct contact with the bleach. You must also ensure that your room is well ventilated to prevent the toxic fumes from the bleach causing you any harm. 

Begin preparing your bleach solution by adding one gallon of cold water to your bath or sink. For every one gallon of cold water that you add you can add one teaspoon of bleach. Depending on how long it has been since your bath mats last clean depends on how much bleach you decide to use. 

Once the diluted bleach solution has been made, place your bath mat in the solution and leave it to soak for three to four hours. 

After three to four hours, remove your bath mat and leave it to dry under the same instructions as when using a washing machine.

Finally, drain and rinse the bath/sink and clean away the dirt left behind from your bath mat.

Leave it to the experts 

If your bath mat is proving particularly difficult to clean, or you just don’t want to clean it yourself, leave it to us. We will pick up, professionally dry clean, and re-deliver your bath mat to you all within 24 hours. To book your dry cleaning service head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app. 

We are now available in Los Angeles.