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Fight mold, mildew & odors in your shower or tub
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You step into your shower after a long day and look down to see black or brown spots growing on your rubber bath mat—gross! Mold and mildew growth on your shower mats is super common (the frequent moisture and lack of air circulation are mold’s best friends), but thankfully, cleaning them is easy. In this article, we’ll show you 2 simple ways to clean up moldy rubber bath mats, plus explore how to keep them from getting so dirty in the first place.
Best Way to Clean Rubber Shower Mats
Lift up the mat so it’s not stuck to the floor, then fill the tub with warm water. Add 2 cups (473 mL) of chlorine bleach (or 1 cup each of baking soda and white vinegar for a natural solution). Let the mat soak for up to 4 hours if it’s very dirty, then scrub with a brush or scouring pad. Rinse and air dry.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Cleaning Rubber Bath Mats by Hand in a Bathtub
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Fill your bathtub with warm water and add 2 cups (473 mL) of chlorine bleach. Lift up the bath mat so it isn’t stuck to the bottom of the tub anymore (this lets the water circulate around the underside where debris and mold can accumulate). [1] X Research source Then, fill up the tub with warm, not hot, water and measure out your bleach once it’s full of water ( adding bleach right away can make a more potent solution and cause dizziness or breathing problems).
- If you prefer, wash your bath mat in a clean utility sink or other large container instead. Add 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of chlorine bleach for every 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water for normal cleaning, or 1 c (240 mL) of bleach for every 5 US gal (19 L) of water for heavier cleaning. [2] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
- For a natural alternative, sprinkle 1 cup (272 g) of baking soda over the mat, then add 1 cup (237 mL) of white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to the bath water instead of bleach. [3] X Research source
- Warning: Do not make a diluted bleach solution with hot water. Hot water may intensify fumes as bleach is added. [4] X Research source
- Warning: Wear protective eyewear and gloves when working with bleach. Prop open a window or door to ventilate the space and avoid inhaling bleach fumes. [5] X Research source
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Let the mat soak for up to 3–4 hours if it’s extra dirty. To eliminate mold and mildew or get rid of bad odors, leave the rubber bath mat to sit in the diluted bleach for up to a few hours. This helps kill bacteria and loosen stuck-on debris that may be clinging to the suction cups or other areas. Keep your windows open for ventilation the whole time it’s soaking. [6] X Research source
- If you’re just going for a light or maintenance cleaning, leave the mat to soak for about 10–20 minutes.
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Scrub the mat with a cleaning brush or scouring pad to remove dirt and debris. After the soak, put your gloves back on and give the mat a good scrub to get rid of stains, sticky spots, or any debris still clinging to the rubber. [7] X Research source
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Rinse the mat and air dry it when you’re done cleaning. Remove the bath mat from the bathtub and set it out to dry on the back of a chair or outdoors in the sun. Drain and rinse the bathtub to remove any dirt and scum that collected from the cleaning. [8] X Research source
- Do not put the bath mat in the dryer as the heat will warp it.
- Sunlight is a natural deodorizer and can help prevent future mildew buildup and kill some odor- and mildew-causing bacteria (especially those that are not normally exposed to direct sunlight). [9] X Research source
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Section 2 of 4:
Washing Rubber Bath Mats in a Washing Machine
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Place the rubber bath mat into the washing machine with a few old towels. A bath mat can be washed in a washing machine just as you would a load of clothes. To improve the cleaning process, add sturdy laundry items that can handle chlorine bleach, like white towels, or some old towels or garments you don’t mind getting potentially stained by bleach. [10] X Research source
- Do not add delicate laundry items or garments that can be damaged by bleach (like wools or silks).
- The other laundry items act like gentle scrubbers to help loosen debris and clean your bath mat (and can help dampen the noise from washing a hard mat, too).
- Have a fabric bath mat? Whether it has a rubber bottom or not, fabric bath mats can go in the washer too. Use cold water, a mild detergent, and vinegar or bleach to remove stains and odors. [11] X Research source
- You can also use your dishwasher to clean rubber as an alternative. [12] X Research source If you have the option, avoid the very hottest setting (although most dishwasher temperatures are set by the manufacturer).
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Wash the mat on a warm, gentle cycle with detergent and ½ cup (118 mL) of bleach. Run the washer as normal with your bath mat and towels. [13] X Research source Make sure to use a gentle cycle if possible; washing rubber bath mats on the normal or heavy-duty setting may weaken or damage the material over time.
- If you don’t want to use bleach, try ½ cup (118 mL) of white vinegar instead for a natural solution.
- Bleach is helpful for cleaning up deep stains, smells, or mold. If you’re just doing a routine cleaning, you can probably skip the bleach altogether.
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Remove the mat and hang it over a chair back or clothesline to air dry. [14] X Research source Always air-dry a rubber bath mat since the heat from the dryer can cause the rubber to warp or crack. If you’re in a hurry, hand-dry the mat with a clean rag or cloth.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan you put rubber bath mats in the washing machine?Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.Yes, you can put your rubber bath mat in the washing machine. For added scrubbing power, you should wash your mat with a couple of towels or other laundry items. You should wash the bath mat on the gentle cycle, and you can use either cold or warm water. Be sure to air dry the bath mat. Do not put it in the dryer.
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QuestionHow do you remove rubber mat from a bathtub?Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.If your rubber mat is stuck to your bathtub, you can try applying WD-40, baby oil, dish soap, or Goo Gone. If your mat is really stubborn, you may need to let the product sit on the mat for a while. In addition, you may need to use a plastic scraper like a credit card to work the mat up. If you have an acrylic tub, please note that you should be more gentle so you do not damage the tub.
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QuestionHow do you get mold out of rubber bath mats?Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.You can use bleach to kill any mold on your rubber bath mats. You can either clean the bath mat by hand in the bathtub or you can put it in the washing machine with bleach. In the bathtub, combine 1 cup of bleach per 5 gallons of water then let the bath mat soak for a couple of hours before scrubbing it with a scrub brush. If you choose to use the washing machine, be sure to add bleach to the cycle. Wash the mat on gentle cycle and you can use either cold or warm water.
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Tips
- Before cleaning, check the manufacturer’s instructions before using bleach and test on an inconspicuous spot first.Thanks
- For stains or set-in grime, try scrubbing the area with a paste made from 1 part water and 3 parts baking soda.Thanks
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Warnings
- Bleach is a common household solution that must be handled with care. Wear protective gear like goggles and cleaning gloves and make certain your work area is well-ventilated before cleaning your rubber bath mats. [19] X Research sourceThanks
- Avoid drying the mat in the dryer, as the heat is likely to ruin it.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/safety/how-to-safely-clean-and-sanitize-with-bleach.html
- ↑ https://www.housedigest.com/1247460/black-mold-shower-mats/
- ↑ http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/en/useofbleach.htm
- ↑ http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/en/useofbleach.htm
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/10/18/658335490/grandma-was-right-sunshine-helps-kill-germs-indoors
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/weekend-projects-wash-your-bath-mat-36714874
- ↑ https://www.treehugger.com/things-you-can-clean-in-the-dishwasher-aside-from-the-dishes-4868040
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
- ↑ https://creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/bathroom/rubber-bath-mat/
- ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/dealing-with-moldy-bath-mats/
- ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/dealing-with-moldy-bath-mats/
- ↑ https://www.themichaelrubino.com/a-moldy-bath-mat-the-often-overlooked-bathroom-oopsie/
- ↑ https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood/home/chlorine-bleach-safety
About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean rubber bath mats, start by mixing a solution of 1 gallon of cold water and 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach in a well-ventilated bathroom. Without proper ventilation, you run the risk of inhaling noxious fumes and getting dizzy. Also be careful not to pour an indiscriminate amount of bleach straight from the bottle, or you might make a solution that is too potent. Once you have a mixture, let the mat soak in it for 3 to 4 hours to eliminate mold. Finally, give it a quick scrub with a scouring pad or cleaning brush before setting it outside in the sun to dry. For more advice from our Cleaning co-author, like how to use a washing machine on your bath mats, read on!
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