2 Easy Ways to Wash a Rubber Bath Mat (And Keep It Clean)

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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.

Section 1 of 4:

Cleaning Rubber Bath Mats by Hand in a Bathtub

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  1. 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] 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]
    • 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]
    • Warning: Do not make a diluted bleach solution with hot water. Hot water may intensify fumes as bleach is added. [4]
    • 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]
  2. 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]
    • 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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  3. 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]
  4. 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]
    • 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]
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Section 2 of 4:

Washing Rubber Bath Mats in a Washing Machine

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  1. 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]
    • 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]
    • You can also use your dishwasher to clean rubber as an alternative. [12] If you have the option, avoid the very hottest setting (although most dishwasher temperatures are set by the manufacturer).
  2. Run the washer as normal with your bath mat and towels. [13] 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.
  3. [14] 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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Section 3 of 4:

Keeping Rubber Bath Mats Clean

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  1. A regular cleaning schedule means bacteria can’t hang around long enough to make your rubber bath mat gross or odorous. If you have a large family or your shower is getting used very frequently (AKA, more people are leaving and potentially stepping on germs), you may want to clean it more often. [15]
  2. Hang it somewhere high and away from the moisture of the tub; over the shower curtain rod or on a dedicated towel bar (not a bar where you’d also hang clean towels) are great options! Letting the water dry away each time leaves less opportunity for mold and mildew to grow. [16]
    • Avoid leaving the mat to dry over the edge of the tub, since this is still in the “moisture” zone.
  3. Stagnant, humid air contributes to bacteria growth (on a bath mat or anywhere else in your bathroom). So, keep your exhaust fan running whenever you shower or bathe and leave it on for about an hour afterward to keep air circulating. If your bathroom has a window, leave it cracked open whenever you can (try all day in spring or fall, or just a few hours a day in the winter). [17]
    • If you live somewhere with hot and humid summers, using the AC instead of opening windows can help cut down on indoor humidity in your bathroom.
    • Good ventilation will also help prevent mold and mildew growth in other areas of your bathroom, too!
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Section 4 of 4:

Why do rubber bath mats get dirty?

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  1. Think about the underside of your rubber bath mat: it’s frequently warm and wet, collects debris like hair, soap scum, skin cells, or bacteria, and doesn’t get good air circulation very often. These are all prime ingredients for mold or mildew growth! Leaving the mat to sit for too long in these conditions without cleaning makes it a “dream home” for mold colonies. [18]
    • Because mold spores travel by air, a moldy bath mat might lead to mold growth in other areas of your bathroom, too (especially if it’s not well-ventilated or frequently humid).

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  • Question
    Can you put rubber bath mats in the washing machine?
    Michelle Driscoll, MPH
    Founder, Mulberry Maids
    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.
    Michelle Driscoll, MPH
    Founder, Mulberry Maids
    Expert Answer
    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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  • Question
    How do you remove rubber mat from a bathtub?
    Michelle Driscoll, MPH
    Founder, Mulberry Maids
    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.
    Michelle Driscoll, MPH
    Founder, Mulberry Maids
    Expert Answer
    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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  • Question
    How do you get mold out of rubber bath mats?
    Michelle Driscoll, MPH
    Founder, Mulberry Maids
    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.
    Michelle Driscoll, MPH
    Founder, Mulberry Maids
    Expert Answer
    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.
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      • For stains or set-in grime, try scrubbing the area with a paste made from 1 part water and 3 parts baking soda.
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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]
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      • Avoid drying the mat in the dryer, as the heat is likely to ruin it.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
      2. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/safety/how-to-safely-clean-and-sanitize-with-bleach.html
      3. ↑ https://www.housedigest.com/1247460/black-mold-shower-mats/
      4. ↑ http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/en/useofbleach.htm
      5. ↑ http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/en/useofbleach.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
      7. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
      8. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
      9. ↑ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/10/18/658335490/grandma-was-right-sunshine-helps-kill-germs-indoors
      1. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
      2. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/weekend-projects-wash-your-bath-mat-36714874
      3. ↑ https://www.treehugger.com/things-you-can-clean-in-the-dishwasher-aside-from-the-dishes-4868040
      4. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
      5. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/bathroom-cleaning/how-to-clean-your-shower-mats.html
      6. ↑ https://creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/bathroom/rubber-bath-mat/
      7. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/dealing-with-moldy-bath-mats/
      8. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/dealing-with-moldy-bath-mats/
      9. ↑ https://www.themichaelrubino.com/a-moldy-bath-mat-the-often-overlooked-bathroom-oopsie/
      10. ↑ https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood/home/chlorine-bleach-safety

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      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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