How to Wash Bath Mats (Machine, Dryer and Hand Wash)

A bath mat works hard. It catches drips after every shower, gets stepped on with wet feet several times a day and sits in the most humid room of the house. Washing it is easy, but the right method depends on what the mat is made of and, above all, on what is under it. A cotton mat and a memory foam mat with a latex backing do not want the same treatment. This guide walks you through each case so the mat comes out clean and keeps its shape.

Start with the care label

Before anything goes into the drum, turn the mat over and read the label. It tells you three things that matter: whether the mat can go in the washing machine, the maximum water temperature and whether it can go in the dryer. When the label and a general guide disagree, follow the label. The manufacturer knows how the backing and the fibers were glued or stitched together.

No label? Treat the mat as delicate: cold water, gentle cycle, no dryer. That is the safe default for any mat you know little about.

How to wash a bath mat in the washing machine

Most fabric bath mats are machine washable. Here is the routine that works for the majority of them:

1. Shake it out first. Take the mat outside or over the tub and shake off hair, dust and grit. Your machine filter will thank you.
2. Wash it alone or with similar items. A couple of towels in the same colors balance the drum. Avoid heavy jeans or anything with zippers that could catch the pile.
3. Do not overload. A bath mat soaks up a lot of water and gets heavy. It needs room to move to get clean.
4. Choose the temperature on the label. Cold or warm water suits most mats. Hot water is fine for plain cotton only if the label allows it.
5. Use a regular amount of mild detergent. Too much soap leaves a residue that makes the pile stiff. Skip fabric softener on microfiber, as it coats the fibers and reduces how well they take up water.
6. Pick a gentle or normal cycle with a moderate spin.

Mats with a rubber or latex backing

Non-slip backings are the part that wears out first. Heat is their enemy: hot water and hot dryer air make rubber and latex dry out, crack and flake off. Many backed mats can still go in the machine, but only on a cold or cool gentle cycle and only if the label says so. Never put a rubber-backed mat in the dryer.

If the backing already crumbles when you touch it, washing will make it worse. At that point the mat no longer grips the floor the way it should, and it is time to replace it.

Memory foam bath mats

A memory foam mat has a soft fabric top and a foam core. The core does not like aggressive spinning or heat. Wash it on a cold, gentle cycle, or hand wash it in a tub of cool soapy water and press the water out instead of wringing. Lay it flat to dry, foam side up, and give it time: the core holds water longer than the surface suggests. A mat that still feels cool and heavy is not dry yet. You can browse our plush bathroom rugs if you are comparing foam and fabric options.

Microfiber and chenille mats

Chenille and microfiber are the fluffy, noodle-like mats. They usually handle the washing machine well. Wash them cold or warm, skip fabric softener and shake them out once they come out of the drum to lift the pile. A quick brush with your hand while the mat is still damp helps the strands stand up again. See our chenille bathroom rugs for this type of mat.

Can you put a bath mat in the dryer?

It depends on the backing. The short answer:

Whatever the mat, avoid high heat. It can shrink fabric, warp foam and ruin non-slip backings. When in doubt, air dry.

How often should you wash a bath mat?

Once a week is a good habit for a mat that gets used every day, ideally on the same day you clean the bathroom. A mat in a busy family bathroom may need it more often. A mat in a guest bathroom that is rarely used can go two weeks or longer between washes.

Between washes, hang the mat over the side of the tub or a towel rail after showers. A mat that dries out between uses stays fresh much longer than one that stays damp on the floor all day.

Hand washing a bath mat

For a mat with no label, a delicate backing or decorative details, hand washing is the gentle option:

1. Fill the tub with cool or lukewarm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
2. Let the mat soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Work the suds through the pile with your hands or a soft brush.
4. Drain, then rinse with clean water until no more soap comes out.
5. Press the water out, do not wring, and dry it flat or over a rail.

What about stone and bamboo mats?

Hard mats are not washed at all, they are rinsed and wiped. A diatomite stone mat should never be soaked or put in a machine. We explain the full routine in our guide on how to clean a stone bath mat. Bamboo mats only need a wipe with a damp cloth and a mild soap, then a full dry in a ventilated spot.

Not sure which type suits your bathroom? Our guide on bath mat vs bath rug compares the options.

Frequently asked questions