How to Wash a Bath Mat: Step by Step for Every Type

How to Wash a Bath Mat: Step by Step for Every Type

To wash a bath mat, shake it out, check the care label, then machine wash it on a gentle cycle at 30 to 40°C with a mild detergent and no fabric softener. Dry it flat, over a rail or in the tumble dryer on low heat. Rubber and suction cup mats are cleaned by hand with warm water and white vinegar, while stone and wooden bath mats are simply wiped and left to dry. Washed once a week, a bath mat stays fresh, absorbent and safely non slip.

The bath mat is probably the most neglected textile in the home. It spends its life soaking up water, skin cells and soap residue in a warm, humid room, and yet many people wash it far less often than their towels. The result is familiar: a musty smell, a flattened pile that no longer absorbs, black spots on the backing and, sometimes, a mat that starts sliding across the tiles.

The good news is that cleaning a bath mat properly takes very little effort once you know what each material tolerates. This guide walks you through every method, step by step: machine washing, tumble drying, hand washing, rubber and suction cup mats, memory foam, stone and wood, plus how to get rid of smells, mould and stains. Keep it as a reference for every mat in your home.

And if your current mat is beyond saving, our full range of machine washable bath mats was chosen with easy care in mind. Let us start with the essentials.

Contents

Why washing your bath mat matters

A bath mat needs regular washing because it stays damp for hours after each use, which makes it an ideal home for bacteria, mould and the smells they produce.

Every time you step out of the bath or shower, your mat absorbs water along with skin cells, hair, body oils and traces of shower gel. In a warm bathroom, that mixture never fully dries between two showers in a busy household. Bacteria multiply, mould spores settle in the backing, and within a couple of weeks the mat starts to smell.

Washing also protects the mat itself. Soap residue and body oils gradually clog the fibres, which is why an old mat feels stiff and stops absorbing. A clean pile stays fluffy and pulls water away from your feet quickly. Finally, a clean backing grips the floor better: a film of grime and soap between the backing and the tiles is one of the reasons a mat begins to slip.

How often should you wash a bath mat?

Wash a bath mat once a week if the bathroom is used daily by several people, every one to two weeks in a household of one or two, and every two weeks in a guest bathroom.

Situation Recommended frequency
Family bathroom, several showers a day Every week
One or two people Every 1 to 2 weeks
Guest bathroom or en suite rarely used Every 2 to 3 weeks
Toilet or pedestal mat Every week
Rubber suction mat inside the bath or shower Rinse after each use, deep clean every 2 weeks
Stone (diatomite) bath mat Wipe weekly, sand when it absorbs slowly
Anyone ill in the household Wash immediately, at the highest temperature the label allows

These are guides, not rules. Wash the mat straight away whenever it smells musty, shows spots on the backing, or has been walked on with muddy shoes or paws. Owning two mats and rotating them makes a weekly routine painless, since you always have a dry one ready.

Before you start: reading the care label

The care label tells you the maximum washing temperature, whether bleach and tumble drying are allowed, and whether the mat must be washed by hand: always check it before the first wash.

Care symbols follow an international standard, so they are the same whichever brand you buy. Here is how to read the ones that matter for a bath mat:

Symbol Meaning
Washing tub with a number (30, 40, 60) Machine washable up to that temperature in °C
Tub with one line underneath Gentle or synthetic cycle
Tub with two lines underneath Very gentle or wool cycle
Tub with a hand Hand wash only
Crossed out tub Do not wash in water
Empty triangle Any bleach allowed
Triangle with two diagonal lines Oxygen (non chlorine) bleach only
Square with a circle and one dot Tumble dry on low heat
Square with a circle and two dots Tumble dry on medium heat
Crossed out square with a circle Do not tumble dry

If the label has faded or been cut off, treat the mat cautiously: wash it at 30°C on a gentle cycle and dry it in the open air. You will not damage it, and you can always go warmer next time if it comes out well.

How to wash a bath mat in the washing machine

Most cotton, microfibre and chenille bath mats can go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle at 30 to 40°C, or 60°C for a deeper clean when the label allows it.

Step 1: shake it out

Take the mat outside or over the bath and shake it firmly to remove hair, dust and grit. Loose debris clogs your machine filter and can scratch the drum.

Step 2: pre treat problem areas

Dab any stains or dark spots with a little liquid detergent or a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water. Leave it for 15 minutes before washing.

Step 3: load the machine correctly

Wash one or two mats at a time, with enough room for them to move. Fold large mats loosely rather than rolling them, and balance a single heavy mat with a couple of old towels so the drum spins evenly.

Step 4: choose the right settings

Select a gentle or synthetic cycle, 30 to 40°C for everyday washes and 60°C for a hygienic deep clean if the label allows. Use a medium spin: a high spin can crease rubber backings and stress the seams.

Step 5: use the right detergent

A normal amount of non biological or biological liquid detergent is ideal. Skip the fabric softener entirely: it coats the fibres with a waxy film that makes them far less absorbent. For a softening boost, add a small glass of white vinegar to the softener drawer instead.

Step 6: dry straight away

Take the mat out as soon as the cycle ends. Leaving it wet in the drum is the fastest way to bring back the very smell you were trying to remove.

Can you wash bath mats with towels?

You can wash bath mats with towels if they share the same temperature and colour, but it is better to wash them separately when the mat has a rubber or latex backing that sheds.

Washing a mat with a couple of towels actually helps balance the load in the drum. The problem comes with older mats whose backing starts to crumble: small rubber particles stick to towels and are hard to remove. A mat that is noticeably dirtier than your towels, or a toilet mat, should also be washed on its own for hygiene reasons. As for clothes, keep them out of the same load: the mat carries more bacteria and grit than anything you wear.

How to dry a bath mat (and can it go in the dryer?)

Textile bath mats can usually go in the tumble dryer on a low heat setting; high heat damages rubber and latex backings, which crack, peel or melt.

Check the label first: a square with a circle and one dot means low heat is safe. Dry the mat for a shorter cycle than you would use for towels, then finish it in the open air if it is still slightly damp in the thickest areas. Adding two or three dryer balls helps fluff up the pile.

If tumble drying is not allowed, or if you want to make the backing last longer, air drying works perfectly:

  • Hang it over a rail or line, pile side out, so air circulates on both faces.
  • Dry it flat on a clothes airer if it is a memory foam mat, which can stretch when hung.
  • Keep rubber backings out of direct, intense heat such as a radiator surface, which ages them just like a hot dryer.
  • Wait until it is fully dry before putting it back on the floor: a mat laid down while damp traps moisture against the tiles.

Drying time matters as much as washing. A bath mat that needs a day and a half to dry indoors will start smelling again within days; that is often the sign the material is too heavy for your bathroom, and a lighter, quick drying model such as those in our small bath mat collection may suit you better.

How to hand wash a bath mat

To hand wash a bath mat, soak it for 20 to 30 minutes in warm water with a little detergent, scrub it gently with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly and squeeze out the water without twisting.

  • Fill the bath or a large basin with warm water, not hot, and add a capful of liquid detergent.
  • Soak the mat for 20 to 30 minutes, pushing it under the water a few times.
  • Scrub the pile and the backing with a soft brush, paying attention to edges and corners.
  • Rinse in clean water until no more suds appear: leftover detergent attracts dirt and reduces absorbency.
  • Press out the water by rolling the mat in a dry towel, then dry it flat or hanging.

Hand washing suits delicate handmade rugs, mats with a fragile backing, and large mats that do not fit your machine. It is also the gentlest option for luxury bath mats with dense, long pile that you want to keep looking new.

How to clean a rubber bath mat and suction cups

To clean a rubber bath mat, soak it in warm water with white vinegar, scrub the suction cups with a brush, rinse and hang it to dry vertically; most rubber and PVC mats should not go in a hot wash or the dryer.

The in bath mat, the one with suction cups that sits inside the tub or shower tray, is usually the dirtiest item in the bathroom. Water and soap get trapped in every cup, and black mould grows in the dark between the mat and the enamel.

Weekly clean

Lift the mat after use, rinse both sides under the shower and hang it over the side of the bath. That simple habit prevents most mould.

Deep clean with vinegar

Fill the bath with enough warm water to cover the mat, add about 500 ml of white vinegar, and leave the mat to soak for an hour. Scrub each suction cup with an old toothbrush or a bottle brush, rinse thoroughly and hang it to dry.

Deep clean with bleach

For stubborn black mould on a white or clear mat, soak it for 15 to 30 minutes in a solution of one part household bleach to about ten parts water, wearing gloves and with the window open. Rinse very thoroughly afterwards. Never combine bleach with vinegar or other cleaning products: mixing them releases toxic chlorine gas.

Can a rubber bath mat go in the washing machine?

Some can: many PVC and rubber mats tolerate a cold, gentle machine wash with a couple of towels to cushion them. Check the label, use 30°C maximum, and always air dry. As for the dishwasher, it is sometimes suggested online, but most suction mats are too large and the heat of the drying phase can warp them, so it is best avoided unless the manufacturer says otherwise.

How to wash a memory foam bath mat

A memory foam bath mat can usually be machine washed on a cold or 30°C gentle cycle with a low spin, then dried flat or tumble dried on the lowest setting.

Memory foam holds water deep inside its core, so it takes longer to dry than a textile mat. Place it in the machine on its own or with one towel, choose a delicate programme and a low spin to avoid tearing the foam. After washing, press it gently between two towels to remove excess water, then lay it flat on an airer. If you use the dryer, keep it on the lowest heat: high temperatures break down the foam and leave it lumpy. A memory foam mat that has gone permanently flat or crumbly should be replaced rather than washed again.

How to clean a stone bath mat

A stone bath mat should never be soaked or machine washed: wipe it with a damp cloth, let it dry fully, and lightly sand the surface when it starts absorbing more slowly.

Diatomite stone mats are porous: their thousands of tiny pores are what make them dry so quickly. Over time those pores fill with soap residue and body oils, and the mat absorbs less efficiently. Here is how to restore it:

  • Weekly: wipe the surface with a cloth dampened with clean water, then stand the mat upright to dry.
  • When absorption slows: take the mat outside, gently rub the surface with the fine sandpaper usually supplied with it, using light circular movements, then brush off the dust. Wear a dust mask while sanding.
  • For stains: sand the affected area lightly rather than scrubbing with chemicals, which can block the pores.
  • From time to time: leave the mat to dry in fresh air or sunlight for a few hours to fully evaporate trapped moisture.

Avoid bleach, harsh cleaners and soaking, which can weaken or crack the board. A stone mat also does not like being left in a constantly wet area such as the shower tray floor.

How to clean a wooden or bamboo bath mat

Clean a wooden or bamboo bath mat with warm soapy water and a soft brush, rinse quickly, then stand it upright to dry; never soak it or put it in the dishwasher.

Wood and bamboo mats do not absorb water, they let it drain between the slats. Dirt and mould tend to collect in the gaps and on the underside, so turn the mat over when you clean it. For small spots of mould, wipe the area with diluted white vinegar and let it dry in an airy spot. Teak benefits from a light coat of teak oil once or twice a year, and bamboo from a food safe oil if it starts to look dry or grey. A wooden mat left flat on a wet floor will eventually blacken underneath, so lift it regularly.

How to get rid of bath mat smells

A bath mat smells because it stays damp too long and bacteria develop in the fibres; washing it with bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar, then drying it completely, removes the odour.

Follow this sequence for a mat that smells musty even after a normal wash:

  • Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda generously over the dry mat and leave it for an hour before shaking it off.
  • Wash at the highest temperature the label allows, with your usual detergent and half a cup of bicarbonate of soda in the drum.
  • Run a second rinse with a glass of white vinegar in the softener drawer.
  • Dry it completely and quickly, ideally in the open air or the tumble dryer on low.

If the mat smells again after washing, the smell comes from the drying stage, not the wash: the mat stayed damp too long in the drum or on the rail. A smell of urine on a mat near the toilet is common and calls for a weekly wash at 60°C where possible, plus a dedicated enzyme laundry cleaner. When a mat keeps smelling despite all of this, the backing has usually absorbed moisture permanently and it is time to replace it.

How to remove mould from a bath mat

To remove mould from a textile bath mat, pre treat the spots with white vinegar or an oxygen based stain remover, then wash at 60°C if the label allows and dry the mat fully in fresh air.

Black or grey spots usually appear on the backing first, where moisture is trapped against the floor. Spray the affected area with undiluted white vinegar, leave it for an hour, scrub with a brush, then machine wash. On white cotton mats, an oxygen bleach suits most fabrics and is gentler than chlorine bleach. For rubber mats, the vinegar or diluted bleach soak described above is more effective.

Once the mould has gone, deal with the cause: ventilate the bathroom after each shower, hang the mat instead of leaving it on the floor, and check the floor underneath, which may need cleaning too. If mould keeps coming back, consider a quick drying or naturally mould resistant material.

Stains on the mat, the bath and the floor

Most bath mat stains come out with a pre treatment of liquid detergent or an oxygen stain remover before washing; marks left on the bath or floor by a mat are caused by trapped mould or by the rubber backing itself.

Stains on the mat

Treat stains as quickly as possible. For make up, fake tan and hair dye, work a little liquid detergent into the stain with your fingers, then wash. For blood, always use cold water first: hot water sets protein stains. Rinse with cold water, apply a little detergent, then wash as normal.

Marks on the bathtub

A suction mat left in place permanently can leave dark rings or a yellowish film on the bath. These are usually mould and soap residue. Clean them with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water and a soft sponge. On acrylic baths, avoid abrasive pads and powders, which scratch the surface.

Marks on the floor

Rubber and latex backings can react with some vinyl and laminate floors and leave a yellow or brown discolouration that is difficult to remove. If you have this type of floor, choose a mat labelled suitable for vinyl, lift it regularly so the floor can breathe, and never put a damp mat back down.

Washing machine problems: heavy mats and spin errors

If a bath mat will not spin in the washing machine, the load is unbalanced: add two or three towels to spread the weight, or reduce the spin speed.

A bath mat is light when dry but becomes very heavy when soaked. To give an idea, a standard 50 x 80 cm cotton mat at 800 GSM weighs around 320 g dry, but a mat of that density can hold several times its own weight in water, all concentrated on one side of the drum. Modern machines detect the imbalance and refuse to spin, leaving the mat dripping.

  • Balance the load with a few towels of a similar colour.
  • Lower the spin speed to around 800 rpm.
  • Fold rather than roll so the mat spreads around the drum.
  • For very large or long mats, check that the mat takes up no more than half the drum, or use a laundrette machine with a bigger capacity.

Long runners and large bath mats are the most affected: if your machine has a 7 kg capacity or less, washing them alone in a half full drum is the safest option.

Washing mistakes that ruin bath mats

The most common bath mat washing mistakes are using fabric softener, washing and drying too hot, overloading the drum and putting the mat back down before it is dry.

  • Fabric softener: it coats the fibres and kills absorbency, the main job of a bath mat.
  • High heat on rubber backings: a hot wash or dryer cracks and peels the backing, so the mat loses its grip.
  • Too much detergent: residue stays in the pile, makes it stiff and attracts dirt.
  • Overloading: the mat cannot move freely, comes out half clean and the machine may not spin.
  • Leaving it wet in the drum: a few hours are enough for the musty smell to return.
  • Mixing bleach and vinegar: dangerous, never do it.
  • Washing too rarely: a mat cleaned once a month builds up residue no wash can fully remove.

Treated well, a good textile bath mat keeps its softness and grip for two to three years. If yours is ready to retire, our long bath mats and the rest of the range are all easy to care for. For a full overview of materials, sizes and how to choose, see our complete guide to bath mats.

FAQ: washing bath mats

Can you put a bath mat in the washing machine?

Yes, most cotton, microfibre, chenille and memory foam bath mats are machine washable on a gentle cycle at 30 to 40°C. Stone and wooden mats must never go in the machine, and rubber mats only when the label allows a cold wash.

What temperature should you wash bath mats at?

40°C is the right everyday temperature for most textile mats. Use 60°C for a hygienic deep clean or after illness, but only when the care label allows it, and keep rubber backed mats at 30 to 40°C.

Can bath mats go in the tumble dryer?

Textile mats usually can, on a low heat setting. High heat damages rubber and latex backings, so check the label and finish drying in the open air if needed.

How do you clean a bath mat with suction cups?

Soak it for an hour in warm water with about 500 ml of white vinegar, scrub every suction cup with a small brush, rinse thoroughly and hang it vertically to dry.

Can I wash my bath mat with my clothes?

It is better not to. A bath mat carries more bacteria, hair and grit than clothing. Wash it alone or with towels of the same colour and temperature.

Why does my bath mat still smell after washing?

Usually because it stayed damp too long after the wash, in the drum or while drying. Wash it again with bicarbonate of soda, rinse with white vinegar and dry it quickly and completely.

Can you use bleach on a bath mat?

Only if the care label shows an empty triangle. Oxygen bleach suits most coloured mats; diluted chlorine bleach works on white rubber mats. Never mix bleach with vinegar or other cleaners.

How do you clean a stone bath mat?

Wipe it with a damp cloth and let it dry upright. When it absorbs more slowly, lightly sand the surface with fine sandpaper outdoors. Never soak it or use chemicals.

Why won't my bath mat spin in the washing machine?

The wet mat is unbalancing the drum. Add two or three towels, lower the spin speed and fold the mat loosely so its weight spreads evenly.

How often should you replace a bath mat?

Replace it when the backing cracks or crumbles, when the pile stays flat and no longer absorbs, or when a smell persists despite washing. A quality textile mat typically lasts two to three years.

Can you put a rubber bath mat in the dishwasher?

It is not recommended unless the manufacturer says so. Most suction mats are too large, and the heat of the drying cycle can warp them. A vinegar soak and a brush work better.

Should you wash a new bath mat before using it?

Yes, a first wash at 30 to 40°C removes manufacturing residues and loose fibres, and often improves absorbency. Expect some shedding during the first few washes on cotton and chenille mats.

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