Seeing your precious heirloom fill up with gunk and grime causes one sickening feeling. All the more repulsive is walking over one such bath rug. Not to discount the health risks involved! A toilet/ bathroom, for once, is bacteria's principal breeding ground.

• You may clean your showers and toilet frequently, but is your washroom clean?
• What about the bathroom mat?
• How often do you clean bath rugs?

Bathroom Rugs are prone to the accumulation of dirt and even germs. Skip washing them for a long time and things can get a bit messed up. Often, people tend to wash their bathroom rugs and mats when they start emitting an odor. That's not enough, for rugs can stash quite a bit of gunk before it appears musty. A far better way is to pre-determine a cleaning frequency based upon past experience and expertise. That's pretty much the essence of cleaning bath rugs at home. You can check the ultimate guide on how to clean bath mat without washing machine.

Clean A Bath Rug: Requirements

All this brings us to the all-important question, how often should bath mats be washed? You should wash bathroom rugs at least twice monthly or twice every week. Come to think of it, bathroom rugs are a magnet for dust and hair. And if your space isn’t ventilated enough, it can also house mildew and fungus. Washing them thoroughly will ensure cleanliness and prevent any fungus or mold from forming. The cleaning frequency depends solely on the nature of your household. If only 2 people, who only bathe once a day, live in a house, you only need to wash the bath rug every once in a while. On the other side of the spectrum, if you have kids who like to play around, the frequency increases manifolds.

What Do I Mean My Manifolds?

Somewhat every week! To clean a rug is the staggering way that needs to be understood what are the do and don'ts while cleaning the rugs. As we can see, the cleaning frequency is proportional to usage. All of this comes down to the moisture a bathroom carpet holds when it is wet. 8th-grade lesson- bacteria/fungi thrive in damp conditions. This very moisture acts as a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and mildew. Soon the bathroom rug begins to appear musty and you are headed for a clean. Experts recommend washing of plastic mats every twenty to twenty-five days. Soaking these plastic mats in vinegar for ten minutes can also become handy for cleaning. On the other hand, it is said that if a man doesn’t have rubber or plastic backing, then it must be washed at least once a week. Moreover, discoloration and marks are the true representation of reaching the time of cleaning. The smell comes as another factor that denotes whether rugs need cleaning or not.

Clean Bath Rugs At Home

And while cleaning bathroom rugs seems like one daunting task, it won't haunt you if done properly. Most rugs don't come with a specific description of the type of material/ fabric that has been used in their making. So to be on the safer side, you should wash bathroom rugs separately. This will help you in identifying if the rug is colorfast. Your rugs that have similar colors and fabric can be washed together but in warm water. All you need to do is to follow the below-mentioned guidelines properly and it would be reduced to one of the most menial aspects of washroom cleaning. Regular cleaning helps too, easing the cleansing.

Here Are The Best Ways On How To Clean Bath Rugs

Tip 1: Cleaning With Vinegar

Before delving into the method of cleaning a bath rug with the help of vinegar, it is important to know the composition of “vinegar”. Well, when it comes to cleaning a rug that is placed in the washroom, vinegar plays a vital role. The reason being, it is a composition of water and acetic acid and contains pH of around 2.4. Vinegar does wonders in many ways. It removes all sorts of stains, smells, and germs. It also functions as the best softening agent. Rugs become shinier and are left clean for a longer period of time. The logic behind it is based on the fact that it doesn’t leave any residues behind.

Tip 2: Machine Wash

This is one of the easiest ways of cleaning a bath rug. All you have to do is to:

• Vacuum the rug or pass water on the mat.
• Dust off all the dirt by lifting it up and shaking.
• Fold the mat or rug. Hold two sides and meet them with the other two.
• After that, place it in the washing machine.
• Read instructions on the label of the rug.

Follow the same instructions for the timing and other necessities to wash rugs in the washing machine. Once done, take it out and dry it under the sun or use a fan (as required). Rug materials that can be washed in a washing machine are memory foam, plastic, cotton, polyester, chenille, and nylon. For cotton, plastic rugs, nylon, and polyester it is recommended to use hot water. However, you should always wash memory foam rugs with cold water since hot water can damage the synthetic material.

Read more; Purchase The Bathroom Brushes For Cleaning Process

You can also throw in a load of towels but don't overload it. Avoid using bleach on this material. For all materials, you should keep the washing setting speed to a minimum. Washing them at a high speed will deteriorate their life. Most of us tend to have plastic rugs in our washrooms. To wash a plastic mat, an ingredient as simple as vinegar would do. All you need is a bowl, white vinegar, and tea tree oil to get rid of the smell. Add ¼ cup distilled white vinegar to the detergent you use to wash your rugs. Finally, add a few drops of tea tree oil. The machine setting must be kept to a low.

Tip 3: Hand Wash

However, there are some materials that must only be washed by hand. These include jute, bamboo among other natural fibers. Hand washing a bath mat is always the better choice since it prevents any damage to the material of the rug. It also in a way extends the life of the rug.
For hand washing rugs, you need a few tablespoons of laundry detergent. Add that to a tub half-filled with water. Put on rubber gloves and give the mixture a shake with your hands. Now with the help of a sponge, start cleaning your mat. Remember to be as gentle as possible. Scrubbing too hard will damage your mat. After you’re done, wash away with cold water. For more fragile rugs, for example, fiber or bamboo, it is recommended to not soak them completely in water. Instead, use the spot cleaning method for these materials.

Tip 4: Cleaning With Solution In A Spray

The fourth and most useful way of cleaning bathroom mats is based on using vinegar. However, the use of vinegar in this trick is a bit different. Follow the steps mentioned below to get the best results.

• Make a solution of one-fourth cup of vinegar and one-fourth cup of water.
• Take a spray bottle that is cleaned beforehand. Fill the solution in the bottle.
• Spray the solution all over the mat. Ensure that each and every spot covering with the solution.
• Take a piece of fabric and scrub the mat diligently. Do not rub it too hard though.
• Scrub it well until no smell and no dirt is seen.
• Last but not least, wash it under running water.
• Dry it as seems fit; it could be under sun or fan.

Tip 5: Baking Soda For Cleaning

This technique serves best to those bath mats and rugs which are actually very dirty and can’t be washed in the washing machine.

• Bathtub mats merit a special mention.
• To begin with, what is a bathtub mat?

It acts as a protective layer over your bathtub, saving the tub from a layer of grime, soap scum and dust builds up. Understandably, the tub mat needs cleaning every once in a while.

Tip 6: Use Baking Soda And Mix It With Vinegar

You're probably thinking about how to wash the bathroom rug with baking soda? Well, we are here to answer. Baking soda is a very common ingredient available in most households. And it has the ability to take out any hard stains on your mats.

Baking soda and vinegar is the perfect combination for cleaning. The best part about these two ingredients is that they are inexpensive, readily available, and can be found in your kitchen cabinet. Mix them together to form a thick paste-like consistency and then scrub away at your bath mat or rug with this mixture using an old toothbrush

• First of all, you will need three tablespoons of baking soda and three tablespoons of vinegar to make a paste. Remember, the paste should not be runny in texture, instead, it should be such that you can hold it in the hand.
• Wear plastic gloves before going on to the next step.
• Spread the paste on the rug. Ensure that it is spread equally and at every spot of the rug.
• After that, scrub off the dirt in a circular and slow motion. You can use your hands, toothbrush, or cloth for the same purpose.
• Then, wash it by placing it under running tap water.
• Dry it at your convenience.

Tip 7: Add Salt To The Baking Soda Paste And Then Scrub It Off.

Salt is a good cleaning agent when used in combination with other ingredients for rugs and mats. It helps in removing stains, dirt, and other particles from the rug. If you want to use salt, then add a small quantity of baking soda and scrub it off. If you don't want to use salt, you can use a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice.

Tip 8: Apply Liquid Soap To The Rug Before Vacuuming.

This tip will help in removing dirt from the surface of your rug. It is advisable not to use any other detergent for this purpose as it might leave stains on your rug. This method will also help in removing most of the rug's dirt.

Tip 9: Use A Brush To Clean Your Mat And Rugs With Crevices.

If you have mats or rugs that are hard to wash by hand, then use a vacuum cleaner and attach dishwashing brushes to its extendable hose. This tip will definitely make it easier for you to clean the mats and rugs with crevices. Using a brush will also help in removing dirt that is stuck to the surface of your rug.

Tip 10: Vacuum With A Crevice Tool Attachment To Clean Mats And Rugs.

Using this method will make it easy for you to remove any debris from deep within your mat or rug's weave. If there are some rough areas on the edge, then you can use a brush to clean them. If you have mats or rugs that are hard to wash by hand, then use a vacuum cleaner and attach dishwashing brushes to its extendable hose. Using this method will make it very easy for you to remove any debris from the rug.

Tip 11: Use A Steam Cleaner To Clean Your Mat Or Rug.

If you have had it for years, then chances are that it has accumulated dirt over time which can be difficult to remove by just vacuuming and brushing the surface of your mat or rug. A steam cleaner will help to remove stains and dirt from your mat or rug that is difficult to clean. Use a steam cleaner on your mat or rug at least once a year to keep it clean and in good condition.

Tip 12: Mix In Fabric Softener With Your Water For rinsing the rug or mat.

Mixing fabric softener with your water for rinsing the mat or rug will make it fluffy, soft, and easier to dry. It will also eliminate any static electricity from the surface of your mat or rug. You can also remove the mat or rug from the washing machine and rinse it in a sink with a fabric softener.

Tip 13: Hang up your rug to dry outside overnight.

Hanging up your mat or rug on a clothesline will help to eliminate any wrinkles that could develop after being dried indoors, as well as get rid of any static electricity. Air drying the rug is also a good idea because it will help to eliminate any odors that can accumulate after being stored for long periods of time.

Tip 14: If you have pets, wash your rug or mat more often than once per year and vacuum regularly.

If you have a pet animal, make sure the mat is washed at least every two months instead of just a year. Vacuuming your rug or mat on a regular basis will help to pick up any pet hair that is left behind.

Tip 15: Always use cold water to rinse after washing and cleaning your bath mats or rugs.

Using only cold water will not cause any shrinkage because it is less likely that the color will be leached out while you are trying to remove soap residue, dirt, and oils. Coldwater does not interfere with the dyes and helps to keep your mat looking fresh.

Tip 16: Make your own rug shampoo

To clean your Washable Rugs and mats, make your own rug shampoo by adding one cup of white vinegar to a gallon of water. You can also use dish soap, white vinegar, water, liquid fabric softener (optional), borax powder, or any laundry detergent that contains bleach. Mixing the ingredients together will produce a creamy liquid that will clean your rug or mat.

Tip 17: Clean the outside with a sponge

After you have cleaned your mat or rug on both sides, use a clean sponge to wipe it down again from top to bottom. This will remove any soap residue that may remain on your rug. The sponge will also work as a squeegee and will help remove any excess water.

Tip 18: Use a hose for ground-in dirt

A garden hose can help remove ground-in dirt and any other matter that has become lodged in the fibers of your rug or mat. Fill a bucket with warm water and add some dish soap to it. Wet the outside of your rug, then turn on the hose so that it is spraying onto one side of your rug. This process will remove any ground-in dirt that would have been difficult to clean otherwise.

Tip 19: Apply a coat of wax

Waxing your mat or rug will make it last longer and protect the fibers from wear and tear. It is best to apply a coat at least once every six months. Use a soft cloth, for instance, as an old t-shirt, to apply the wax and rub it in. 

Tip 20: Always consult the care instructions

If you have a mat with specific cleaning instructions, always follow them. In most cases, mats should be vacuumed or shaken out every couple of weeks and then sprayed down with water to remove any build-up that may occur on top of it. Mats that are machine washable can often just need some soap and warm water to be cleaned.

Process of Cleaning Bath Rugs

1. First of all, you will need to vacuum the rug. It should be done in such a way that both sides, front as well as back, so that dirt (and debris) is removed.
2. Then, you have to make a vinegar and water-based solution. How will you do that? Well, you will need four cups of vinegar, two cups of warm water, and two tablespoons of liquid soap. Mix all the ingredients. You can use a spoon for that.
3. The third step is to start off with scrubbing. For that, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:

• Take a soft cloth and dip it in the solution.
• Scrub the rug in circular motions gently.
• Clean all sides of the mat as needed.

4. Next, you have to rinse it thoroughly. Also, ensure that the water has passed all the sides, center, and corners of the mat.

Reach out; Adds rug style to bathroom décor ideas

5. Drying is the last step in which you need to simply take the rug and place it under the sun’s direction. Flip the side once the first side is dried. You can place it in the washroom under a fan too.

How to Clean Rubber-backed Bath Mats?

Washroom mats that have a rubber backing need to be washed regularly as soap and shampoo can accumulate under them. This will make the rubber mat extremely slippery. So how can you clean a rubber mat?

First of all, you need to make sure to never use chlorine bleach on a rubber mat. This will damage the rubber, causing it to flake away. Make use of oxygen-based bleach by soaking the mat in the bleach solution. The solution can be made by adding a teaspoon of bleach to a gallon of water. If you're looking to wash it in a machine, add some laundry detergent in the machine with some water. After a few minutes, take it out and air dry it. Air dry is always the way to go when washing rubber mats as it can damage the dryer. To remove any hard stains from the mat, use a baking soda solution by mixing it with water.

So, How Do You Remove Bathtub Mat Stains?

A lot of mats support cleaning by machine. A much more preferred way is to clean it with baking soda. It is considered better to rinse the baking soda-clad mat with a vinegar solution, although pumice stone does the job too. For this method, you will need baking soda which is a great means of removing dirt, debris, fungus, and molds.

Which Bath Mats are Mildew-Resistant?

There are some excellent mildew-resistant bath mats available in the market. They are famous because they have the ability to handle excess water with no threats of mold or mildew forming. We all know that moisture or dampness on a rug or mat translates to mildew.

This is why choosing the right material for your washroom is the most important choice to make here. People mostly tend to use non-slipping textured mats inside the washroom that also absorbs any moisture. This is because when you come out of the shower, the rug can dry itself quickly. This is because bathrooms are a damp place, to begin with. Additionally, the washroom mat must also be machine washable. Here are some of the options you can choose from:

High Pile Chenille Fabric

This fabric will be a great and useful addition to your washroom. Chenille fabric is known to be very absorbent. Another great thing about this fabric is that it is machine washable. Not only that, but this fabric is also very dryer-friendly! But remember to keep the settings too low! These can also be used as a welcome mat or in the kitchen.

Memory Foam Washroom Mat

Machine Made Rugs out of this material are designed to absorb dampness. Other than that, they also have a very comfortable feel to them. Memory foam rugs are also machine washable and dryer friendly like chenille which is why they should be washed in a similar setting. Another memory foam made out of microfiber has a very velvety feel to it and feels great under your feet.

Bamboo Bathroom Rugs

These are very popular and you'll find many of these in the market. Aside from their naturally absorbent and non-slipping nature, they are also a great addition to your washroom in terms of their classy look. They are bound to make your washroom look posh. A bamboo washroom mat will attract moisture to itself but will also dry quickly thereby preventing mold from forming.

Teak Shower Mat

Although not entirely mildew resistant, this is still a great addition to your washroom as it is a natural bacteria repellent. It also has a non-slippery base but can develop mildew or dust if unattended for a long time. Cleaning this mat is easy as you only require a soft hairbrush and some water. Brush the mat gently so as to not damage the teak. Instead of water, you can also use a cleaning solvent.

Precautions to Clean a Bath Rugs

First of all, people, in general, are of the view that one should take care of rugs, especially if they are using them in the washroom. The logic behind it is quite interesting. Well, it is about the way one can use the same mat for long (obviously after washing as well as taking care of them in the appropriate manner).

In this regard, you can wash it regularly. However, the question arises if there are other ways to take care too. The answer to it is simple. Yes, there are a couple of ways to handle the situation where rugs are newly bought. However, the question arises if there are other ways to take care too. The answer to it is simple. Yes, there are a couple of ways to handle the situation where rugs are newly bought.

Take Care of Large Bathroom Mats/ Rugs

Taking care of large bathroom rugs can always be a hassle. This is mainly because they aren't machine washable largely due to their size. We've listed down some tips below on how to clean bathroom rugs that are too large.

1. First and foremost, you should make sure that you remove the wet rug every few hours. Hang it under the sun so that germs and bacteria don’t get active.
2. Secondly, you should also ensure that your rugs are cleaned with one of the techniques (mentioned in “How to Wash Bath Rugs at Home?”). Those are really helpful in removing gunk, debris, dirt, and all that becomes resident of moist rugs.
3. One should use gentle detergents when hand washing these mats. Strong detergents have the potential to cut plastic at times.
4. Also, one should go with washing bath mats with a cleaning brush but do not scrub too hard.
5. When it comes to drying these mats, you can air dry them by hanging them over a wall or a gate. This will ensure the water doesn't stay on the mat.
6. Checking mats whether they are good from the underside is mandatory. If you see tiny pieces coming out then it's a call to buy a new rug.
7. By now you would be able to clean bath rugs on your own. Besides, it is always better to take precautions and to seek professional help every once in a while.

Some FAQs about Bath Rugs and Mats

You might have some questions in your mind that you would want answers for. Well, we are here for you and will answer all your FAQs!

Are you supposed to wash bath mats?

Obviously, you are supposed to wash mats like there is no two ways about it! When it comes to bath rugs, you should definitely clean them at least once every two weeks. It is really important to remove all the dirt and dust off of it! 

Can I use a bath mat as a rug?

Umm, it's a yes and a no. Rugs are great water absorbers and that is why they are solely used around bathrooms. However, they are not as decorative and stylish as rugs so if you are looking for a stylish venture, then using bath mats as rugs won't be really nice! 

What is the best way to clean a bath mat?

You should use warm water, soap, and clothes. When washing your rug you can either wash it by hand or throw it in the machine! The only thing you have to consult with yourself on is whether it will last longer if washed by hand or put into the washer.

How often should I clean my rug?

You can wash it as little or as much as you want but we would recommend doing so at least every two weeks! The best way to maintain your rug is to vacuum it regularly. This will help you remove dust and other particles as well! Vacuum cleaners are best for this because they have a stronger suction power than most.

How long does it take for the dirt and debris on my mat to build up until I have to wash it again?

It will depend on how much traffic there is but there are chances that the dirt and debris take up to a week to accumulate. So, it's best to wash it after a week to maximize its life span. If you have pets, be sure to clean your rug more often! Pets tend to bring in dirt from outside or even make their own indoors and this can lead to an accumulation of bacteria on the rug long before the timer would go off for normal cleaning.

How do I get rid of that really bad smell?

There are many different ways but if the rug has a lot of bacteria in it then you may want to consider using bleach! Make sure not to overdo it and make your floors too slippery though. You can also use dish soap, baking soda, or some vinegar to avoid bad smells.

By now you will be familiar with almost everything related to the care of Bathroom Rugs. Give it a couple of tries and you would be good to clean bath rugs on your own. Besides that, it is always good to take precautions and to seek professional help every once in a while. We at RugKnots not only have the Best Selling Rugs to offer but there is so much more. Better be safe than being sorry You can check out to know more about the cost of professional cleaning in this blog or contact us for more information we will help you out. You can also avail free shipping on every order so check out our collection of Area Rugs!