Care & cleaning

Why Does My Bath Mat Smell? How to Stop Mildew for Good

A musty bath mat is a mat that never fully dries. Here’s what causes the smell, how to get rid of it, and the habits that stop it coming back.

By Mattona™ Team Updated 3 min read

Mattona™ guide cover: why bath mats smell, with a light blue plain bath mat set

Quick answer

Bath mats smell when they stay damp long enough for mildew and bacteria to grow. Wash the mat and dry it completely, then stop it staying wet: hang it after showers, run the bathroom fan, keep humidity below 60% (the EPA says ideally 30–50%) and wash it about once a week.

What causes a musty bath mat

Mildew needs three things: moisture, warmth and time. A bath mat gets all three. It soaks up water after every shower, it sits in a warm, steamy room, and if it never fully dries it stays damp for days. Skin cells and soap residue give microbes something to feed on too.

Time is the part you control. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that if wet or damp materials are dried within 24–48 hours of getting wet, in most cases mold will not grow.

Infographic: why bath mats smell. Mildew needs moisture, warmth and time. Break the cycle: hang the mat after showers, run the fan during and 20–60 minutes after, keep humidity below 60% (ideally 30–50%), and wash about weekly.
Mildew needs moisture, warmth and time. Take away the time.

How to get rid of the smell

  1. Wash the mat following its care label. For Mattona™ 3-piece sets that means a cool, gentle cycle below 40°C (104°F) with a little mild detergent and no fabric softener. See how to clean a bathroom mat set.
  2. Dry it completely, top and backing, before it goes back on the floor.
  3. Clean and dry the floor underneath. A damp floor will make even a clean mat smell again.
  4. Check the backing. If it’s cracked, crumbling or spotted, or the smell comes back straight after washing, replace the mat.

Habits that stop the smell coming back

Hang it after showers

Drape the mat over the edge of the tub or a rail so air reaches both sides. A mat left flat on a wet floor dries slowly from underneath.

Run the fan, and keep it running

The EPA advises running the bathroom fan or opening a window when you shower. Afterwards, the Home Ventilating Institute recommends leaving the fan on for 20 minutes. A U.S. Department of Energy resource suggests up to an hour for full humidity control.

Keep humidity in check

The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%. An inexpensive hygrometer tells you where you stand, and a dehumidifier helps in damp homes and climates.

Wash about once a week

Weekly washing stops residue building up. Wash more often if several people share the bathroom or the mat stays damp.

Lift the mat regularly

Once a week, lift the mat and let the floor underneath dry and air out.

Choose a mat that dries fast

Thin, quick-dry fabrics dry much faster than thick, deep-pile rugs. If your bathroom has little airflow, a lighter mat you can hang after each shower is easier to keep fresh.

If you notice mold on walls, the ceiling or grout, or a smell that doesn’t come from the mat, look for a leak or a ventilation problem. The EPA says the key to controlling mold is controlling moisture.

Sources

Shop the mats in this guide

Gray Mattona 3-piece bathroom mat set with HOME lettering: U-shaped toilet mat and two rectangular mats on a bathroom floor 3-teiliges HOME-Badmatten-Set, schnelltrocknend $39.95$49.95 Shop now → Light blue plain 3-piece bathroom mat set by Mattona: U-shaped toilet mat and two rectangular mats by a toilet 3-teiliges schlichtes Badmatten-Set ohne Schriftzug $39.95$49.95 Shop now →

Frequently asked questions

Can I use vinegar or baking soda on my bath mat?

Only if the mat’s care label allows it. They aren’t needed for a routine wash. Washing with mild detergent and then drying the mat completely is what removes most smells.

How often should I wash my bath mat to stop odors?

About once a week, and more often if the mat stays damp between showers or the bathroom is shared.

Should I leave my bath mat on the floor after a shower?

It’s better to hang it over the tub edge or a rail so air reaches both sides. Put it back down once it’s dry.

How long should I run the bathroom fan after a shower?

The Home Ventilating Institute recommends about 20 minutes. A U.S. Department of Energy resource suggests up to an hour for full humidity control.

Keep reading

More Mattona™ guides