Bath mats, even though overlooked during routine cleaning, provide comfort and improve the aesthetics of your bathroom. The high humidity, soap residue, stagnant water, and accumulated dirt create a conducive environment for bacterial growth, stubborn stains, foul smells, and mildew. These microorganisms even pose health risks to your family. Therefore, to improve the overall hygiene of your bathroom, you should properly care for your bath mat. Additionally, you must adopt proper washing and drying techniques for economic benefits and to increase the mat’s lifespan. Here are the steps for properly washing your bath mat.
Steps You Must Follow Before Washing the Mat
Before washing the bath mat with your preferred cleaning technique, you should take the following precautions:
Checking the Care Label
Your first step before washing a mat is to read the care label, which gives instructions on how to clean it. The label outlines the best cleaning technique and water temperature. The instructions provided depend on the material used in the mat.
Shake the Bath Mat to Remove Debris
A fundamental step in washing your mat is shaking out the debris, hair, or dirt. How should you do this? Take the mat outside and vigorously shake it. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and debris. By taking this step, you prevent the blockage of the filters in your washing machine. Besides, after removing the debris, washing is effective because the debris will not redeposit, eliminating the need for washing a second time.
Addressing or Removing Stains
Before washing, remove any stains that could be on the mat. Bath mats rarely have stains, although it is not uncommon to find toothpaste and makeup stains. Sometimes the stains can be caused by discoloration. Whatever the cause, you must address stains prior to cleaning. To remove stains, apply a stain remover to the affected areas and allow it to rest for a while, depending on the product’s instructions. The approach you adopt for stains varies based on the stubbornness of the stains. Some stains require handwashing with a mixture of liquid detergents and warm water.
Separate the Bath Mats Based on Material Type
If you have multiple bath mats and plan to clean all of them, you cannot apply the same cleaning technique. You should separate them based on material so that each receives the proper care it requires. Arranging the mats based on material prevents damage and lint transfer. Also, cleaning them separately, particularly the new ones, prevents color transfer.
Selecting a Washing Technique
After finishing the pre-wash steps, it is time to pick a cleaning method. You can choose to handwash the mats or use a washing machine, depending on the material and instructions on the label.
Cotton and polyester bath mats can be cleaned using a washing machine for convenience and best results. When machine washing, utilize mild cleaning detergents to avoid damaging the fibres and reducing the mat’s longevity. Use cold water for washing because warm water causes the material to shrink. However, if you want to remove microorganisms or stubborn stains, you might use warm water.
Wet mats are heavy. So, do not put more than two in the machine at the same time to avoid overloading or damaging it.
Alternatively, you can handwash your mat, especially if it is made of wool or silk, as these materials are delicate and prone to damage if washed aggressively. If your mats have a rubber backing that is showing signs of damage, using your hands to clean it could prevent further damage. If you decide to handwash your mat, here are the steps to follow:
- Fill a bathtub or sink with cold water, although lukewarm water is also suitable
- Add a tiny portion of mild washing detergent and stir gently to dissolve
- Entirely dip the mat in the water
- Allow the mat to soak for half an hour if it is heavy to loosen the dust
- Gently rub the mat with a brush with soft bristles or your hands, paying attention to stains
- Do not wring or twist the mat to protect its structural integrity
- Rinse the mat with cold water to eliminate soap residues
Drying the Mat
Proper washing also entails drying the mat the right way to prevent mildew. Even if you clean the mat the correct way, but dry it inappropriately, you will reverse all the gains made during washing. Proper drying is a crucial step in cleaning your mat the right way.
Air drying is one of the ways you can dry your mat. The drying technique is recommended because air is gentle on the mat material and lowers the risk of shrinking. Air drying using ultraviolet rays from the sun is even more beneficial; it kills the remaining microorganisms on the mat and eliminates the foul odor. Nevertheless, exposing the mat to the sun for a long time could damage the material and color. Only return the mat to the bathroom once thoroughly dried.
Alternatively, you can rely on a machine to dry your mat. The technique is suitable for mats made using cotton or polyester. Even though effective, using a dryer has its risks. Excessive heat can cause material shrinkage, structural damage, and melting of the rubber backing. Therefore, when using the technique, use the lowest heat.
Tips for Maintaining a Clean Mat
Now that you know the right way to wash your mat, here are tips to maintain its freshness and extend its durability:
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Determine the Washing Frequency
Depending on how often you use the bathroom, you should clean the bath mat every two to four weeks. If you use the bathroom alone and shower once a day, clean the mat after three weeks. If you live with children in the house and share the same bathroom, clean the mat every week.
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Form Mat Cleaning Habits
You can proactively maintain the mat by shaking it every day to remove debris. Besides, you can vacuum the mat often to remove stubborn debris.
Similarly, form a habit of drying the mat after taking a shower to prevent bacterial growth.
Lastly, ensure that your bathroom has proper ventilation to lower the humidity, enhance fresh air circulation, and prevent the growth of mold that could damage the mat.
Find a Reputable Dry Cleaning Service Near Me
Proper bath mat washing goes beyond standard laundering. It involves meticulous steps geared towards promoting hygiene, protecting materials, and increasing their longevity. For adequate washing, check the mat label, shake out debris, remove stains, and then decide on the washing method depending on the material and label instructions. However, if you cannot follow these washing steps or do not have time to clean your mat properly, you can call a dry cleaning service for professional washing.
At Boca Best Cleaners, we provide quality cleaning services for easy solutions to your laundry needs, including bath mat cleaning. Call us at 561-613-0352 to inquire about our services in Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
