Choosing a Bathroom Mat

You’ve carefully chosen that bookshelf, bed linens, and ottoman for your home, but the final detail—the bath mat—can make or break a space. It’s responsible for preventing slips, moderating the room’s temperature, and protecting your floors from water damage.

We tapped a textile expert and a handful of other experts to test and pick the best bath mats for absorbency, drying speed, durability, look, feel, and price.

Bamboo

Bamboo is an eco-friendly, sustainable wood material that also holds up well to wet environments and resists mold and mildew. It’s a natural choice for bath mats because it fits into many home décor styles and provides a stylish alternative to traditional cotton rugs.

You can choose from slatted or flexible mats with different patterns and finishes to suit your home decor. Some have a dark stain while others are natural-looking with a light finish. Most have a rubber base for gripping the floor, so you don’t slip and fall after stepping out of the shower or tub.

If you want to avoid bacterial growth, you should wipe down your bamboo bath mat with a disinfectant on a regular basis. You can use a wood-safe cleaner or mild detergent with water. Just be sure to wipe down the entire mat so it’s completely dry before using it again.

When choosing a bamboo mat, measure the area where you plan to place it. You want the mat to be large enough to step onto comfortably after a shower or bathtub but not so large that it takes up too much space. Most bamboo mats come in a range of sizes. They’re available in widths from about 15 to 24 inches and lengths from about 20 to 48 inches.

Cotton

The cheapest and most common option, cotton bathroom mats are soft to the touch and come in a variety of sizes. They also offer absorbency, keeping the tile floor dry and helping to keep your feet warm as you step out of the tub or shower.

Some mats are woven with pile, which is similar to the yarn used in bath towels and can help increase absorbency. Others have a cut-pile construction, which is like a shaggy rug and can household products supplier add texture to the room. Some even combine both types to get the best of both worlds.

When buying a cotton bath mat, look for one that is labeled as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified. This ensures that the cotton is organic, which is better for the environment than conventionally grown cotton. It is less likely to contribute to soil acidification, eutrophication and global warming than conventional cotton.

To care for your new cotton bath mat, it’s a good idea to wash it once or twice before using. This will take away any stiffness or bacteria that may have formed during packaging. If the mat has a plastic backing, it’s a good idea to remove this before washing to prevent it from detaching in your washer and ruining the fabric. Once it’s washed, a cotton bath mat can be dried in a dryer or by hanging on a rack.

Stone

Stone bath mats aren’t as common as their cloth counterparts, but they’re growing in popularity. They’re made from diatomaceous earth, which isn’t only aesthetically pleasing, but also highly absorbent and quick to dry. This means that they can help to keep your bathroom hygienic and free of mold, mildew, and bacteria.

The main benefit of this type of bath mat is that it’s super quick to dry, which makes it a good choice for people who tend to get out of the shower or bathtub quickly. It’s also relatively lightweight, making it easy to move around and put away when not in use. This bath mat is also relatively durable, though it’s less resistant to abrasion than some of the other options on this list.

This bath mat is one of the few that can be machine washed, which means that it’s easy to keep clean and free from stains. It’s also a great choice for anyone who prefers a more natural look, as it has a texture that can be described as a cross between tile and wood.

This is a multipurpose stone mat that can be used in the bathroom, laundry room, and even as a kitchen sink or entryway mat. It’s very versatile, and it comes in a range of color options that can match most decor styles.

Rubber

Rubber bath mats can add comfort and safety to your shower or tub floor. They also help to prevent slips and falls. However, they bathroom mat must be regularly cleaned to prevent the buildup of mold and mildew. Mildew and mold can lead to skin irritations, allergies and respiratory problems.

To clean your rubber bath mat, first shake off any excess dirt and hair. You can then wash the mat in your washing machine using a cold or warm cycle. You can also use a mild detergent for extra cleaning power. You can also use a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water to remove stubborn stains or odors. For best results, allow the mat to soak in the solution for 30 minutes before scrubbing it.

Another option is to scrub the rubber bath mat with a brush and soapy water. You can also add a cup of bleach to your wash for a more thorough cleaning. For a natural alternative to bleach, you can also make a baking soda paste and apply it to the stain or odor. Allow the paste to sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing it with a brush and rinsing thoroughly. It is important to rinse your mat thoroughly after washing it to ensure that all traces of the cleaner or odors are removed.