How to Clean a Bathroom Mat Set: Step-by-Step Washing and Drying Guide

These steps are for Mattona™ Original (HOME) and No Text 3-piece sets, which are machine washable. Each set has two rectangular floor mats and one U-shaped toilet mat. Stone, soft diatomaceous and PVC mats need a different method, so check our care guide by mat type first. Always follow the care label that came with your mat.

What you’ll need

• A mild liquid detergent
• A washing machine with a gentle or delicate cycle, or a basin for hand washing
• A soft brush for marks
• An airy place to dry the mats: a rail, the edge of the tub or a drying rack

Step by step: machine washing

1. Shake off dirt and hair

Take the mats outside and give them a firm shake, or vacuum both sides. Loose hair and grit come out more easily when the mat is dry, and they won’t end up in your machine.

2. Pick a cold or lukewarm gentle cycle

Wash below 40°C (104°F) on a gentle or delicate cycle, and leave room in the drum so the mats can move. One set per load is ideal. Our supplier notes that long, heavy machine cycles can wear the mats, so a short gentle cycle is best.

3. Use a little mild detergent

Too much detergent leaves residue that stiffens the fibers and holds moisture. Skip bleach, which can weaken fibers and fade the color. Skip fabric softener too: it coats the fibers and makes the mat less absorbent.

4. Air dry with the dryer off

Hang the mats over a rail or lay them flat in a well-ventilated room, away from direct heat. Don’t tumble dry Mattona™ mats. High heat can crack or warp a non-slip backing, and a damaged backing is less safe underfoot.

5. Put them back only when fully dry

Check the backing as well as the top. A mat that goes back down damp traps moisture against the floor. That leads to smells and can affect the floor underneath.

How to hand wash a bath mat

1. Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water and a little mild detergent.
2. Swish the mat through the water and work any marks gently with a soft brush. Avoid long soaks.
3. Rinse until the water runs clear, then press the water out. Don’t wring or twist the mat.
4. Air dry as above.

How often should you wash bath mats?

About once a week for a bathroom that’s used every day. Appliance maker Whirlpool gives the same advice. Wash more often if the mat stays damp for hours after showers, if several people share the bathroom or if pets use it. Between washes, hang the mat to dry after each shower. Here’s how to stop a bath mat from smelling.

How to remove stains and odors

Spot clean marks with a drop of mild detergent and a soft brush, rinse, and dry the mat fully. A smell that comes back quickly usually means the mat isn’t drying between uses, so improve airflow and hang it after showers. Never mix cleaning products.

When to replace a bath mat

Replace it when the backing peels, cracks or crumbles, when the mat slides or its edges curl, or when it still smells after a proper wash and a full dry. A worn backing is a slip risk, however soft the top still feels.