You know what happens in your bathroom, so you need to clean it regularly to get rid of bacteria, germs, and soap scum. You wash loads of towels, washcloths, and hand towels every week. But what about your bathroom rug? With the foot traffic it sees, doesn’t it deserve a little TLC?
Whether you use a larger decorative bathroom rug or a simple cotton bathmat, it should be cleaned regularly. The frequency depends on how many people use the bathroom and how careful they are with the mat. The moisture and warmth in bathrooms produce the perfect environment for mildew and bacteria to flourish. If the rug is not hung to dry between uses and stays damp most of the time, it should be washed at least weekly. If it’s allowed to dry fully after a single daily shower, you can usually wash it every other week. Here’s the best way to go about it.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Washing machine
- Drying rack or clothesline
Materials
- Laundry detergent
- Stain remover (optional)
- Laundry disinfectant (optional)
Instructions
| How to Wash a Bathroom Rug | |
|---|---|
| Detergent | Regular |
| Water Temperature | Warm to hot |
| Cycle Type | Regular |
| Drying | Air-dry only |
| Special Treatments | Reduce spin cycle speed on front-load washers |
| Iron Setting | Do not iron |
Instructions
1. Shake Out the Rug
Before you do anything else, take the bathroom rug outside, and give it a good shake. This will get rid of any debris like lint, hair, and sand trapped in the fibers. Debris belongs outside, not in your washing machine filter.
2. Read the Labels
All textiles sold in the United States are required to have care labels attached. If this is the first time you have washed the rug, take a moment to read the label. It will provide valuable information on fabric content and instructions on how to clean.
3. Inspect the Back of the Rug
If the bathroom rug has a skid-proof backing, turn it over, and give it a quick check. If the rubber or plastic is cracked, peeling, or missing chunks, it is time to replace the rug. Another washing may fill your washer with loose pieces of plastic that can destroy the water pump. A new bathroom rug is much less expensive than a washer repair.
4. Place in Washer
Bathroom rugs should be washed with similar fabrics and colors. Loads of towels often work best, as bathroom rugs will produce some lint and you don’t want that on your clothes. If you are washing several rugs in a top-loading machine with a center agitator, be sure to place them opposite each other so that the machine will stay balanced. Do not overload the washer. You want the water and detergent to reach every surface easily. Choose warm or hot water, and wash with your regular detergent.
5. Reduce the Spin Cycle Speed
If you have a washer with adjustable speeds for the spin cycle, reduce the speed if your bathroom rug has a non-skid backing. This will help prevent cracking and reduce any wear and tear.
6. Shake and Dry
When you remove the rug from the washer, give it a good shake to remove wrinkles and creases. Hang the rug from a clothesline, or place it over a drying rack to air-dry. If any wrinkles or creases are present after drying, don’t break out the iron. Just place the rug on the floor, and the moisture and warmth in the bathroom will relax the fibers and remove the wrinkles.
Storing Bathroom Rugs
Because of their skid-proof backing, mats should not be stored with sharp folds. Roll them into a log shape, and keep in a cool, dry place, such as where you store your linens.
Repairs
If the skid-proof backing of your mat has cracks or splitting, you can try to cover the damage with liquid latex and a wide paintbrush. If this doesn’t work, you should consider replacing the mat.
Treating Stains on Bathroom Rugs
If you see a specific stain on the bathroom rug, treat it with a bit of your regular laundry detergent or a stain remover. Work in the product with your fingers, and let it remain on the rug for about 10 minutes before you toss it in the washer.
Tips for Washing Bathroom Rugs
- While allowing a bathroom rug to dry between uses is a very good thing, there’s one type of drying you should avoid—automatic dryers. The high heat can melt any non-skid backing, and the tumbling action can cause backings to crack.
- Make sure to hang your mat up after each use. This helps it dry more quickly and avoid mold and mildew.
- Promote air circulation in your bathroom, either with a fan or an open window, so your mat and towels don’t say damp for long.
- Families should wash mats weekly to avoid mold and bacteria. If you live alone, you can wash yours twice a month.
- If you are concerned about athlete’s foot fungus on the bathroom rug, add a laundry disinfectant to the wash cycle. Chlorine bleach is an effective disinfectant but should not be used on colored rugs or those with rubber backings. Opt for a pine oil or phenolic disinfectant instead.
