How to Keep Bath Mat from Molding?

Keep your bath mats from molding by cleaning them regularly and drying them out in the sun. Your bathroom floors can get dirty from your everyday use and your kids running around.

One will likely be dirtier if you have more than one bath mat. Bath mats are also great for protecting your hardwood floors and carpets. It is also loaded with anti-slip, comfortable, and water-resistant features.

Despite their many advantages, mold is a common problem you might encounter when you keep them too long. To get rid of it, read on to find out how to keep bath mat from molding.

Why Do Bath Mats Get Moldy?

Bath mats are made of rubber and plastic and can develop mold if stored in humid environments like bathrooms.

If you leave them damp for long periods, they will start to smell bad and be covered in blackish-green slime, which you do not want to see on your bathroom rug.

How to Keep Bath Mat from Molding?

Here are some tips for keeping your bath mats mold-free:

1. Wash Your Bath Mat Regularly

To prevent mold from growing on your bath mat, clean it regularly. Ideally, this means washing it after every use.

If you’re too busy to wash your bath mat after every use, try doing it once or twice weekly.

2. Ensure that Your Bathroom is Properly Ventilated

Another essential step in preventing mold growth is ensuring enough ventilation in your bathroom. Bathrooms are often damp, making them an excellent home for mold spores.

Make sure you have at least one window open. Otherwise, mold may grow on all surfaces, including the walls and floor.

If you live in a dry climate or during summer when high temperatures, it’s essential to open a window to let fresh air circulate through your bathroom.

3. Wash Your Hair Before You Shower, Not During

If you have long hair and are prone to developing dandruff or dry scalp issues, washing it before you shower is best. The shampoo will be rinsed before the water hits your face and body.

If you wait until after the shower, there’s a chance the shampoo will get into all those crevices in your bath mat where mold likes to grow. It will also help minimize dryness on your scalp and keep your head from getting too sweaty between showers.

4. Hang the Mat to Dry After Each Use

After each use, hang the bath mat up to dry. It will prevent moisture from collecting on its surface and causing mold growth.

It will also allow all water to evaporate, preventing pooling and standing water from forming. If possible, hang the mat outside so sunlight can kill germs in its fibers.

5. Dry Your Bath Mat Completely

If you don’t clean your bath mat thoroughly after each use, it will start stinky. It’s also important to dry it entirely because if even a tiny amount of moisture is left on your bath mat, it will become a breeding ground for mold spores.

How to Get Mold off Rubber Bath Mat?

Any bathroom is incomplete without a rubber bath mat. The most common type of these mats is the mat molded from rubber. These mats can be installed in and outside bathrooms and living rooms.

Rubber mats are easy to clean and maintain because they can be washed with soap or washed with a damp cloth.

However, mold and mildew are sometimes formed on these mats, which look unattractive and unpleasant. So, now, I will show you how to get mold off a rubber bath mat correctly to look clean, fresh, and beautiful.

Using Bleach

Bleach is an excellent cleaning agent and disinfectant but can also damage some surfaces.

To use bleach on your rubber bath mat, mix two cups of water with one cup of bleach in a spray bottle and spray it on the moldy area of your mat until it’s entirely covered with liquid.

Then let this sit for about ten minutes so the bleach has time to work its magic on the mold spores. After 10 minutes, scrub off all the molds on the mats.

Using White Vinegar

If you have a rubber bath mat affected by mold, another vital method is using white vinegar.

The acidity in white vinegar helps dissolve the mold spores on the rubber bath mat and kills any remaining fungi present. Use a clean rag or sponge to apply a generous amount of vinegar to the carpet.

Let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub it off with another clean cloth. Rinse the mat with water and let it air dry before use.

Using Baking Soda

Baking soda may be the most effective method to get mold off rubber bath mats. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and disinfectant to help kill mold spores and prevent them from returning.

Here’s how you do it.

Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with 2 cups of water until the mixture is smooth like a paste. Apply the paste onto the affected area with a sponge or cloth and let it sit for about 20 minutes before wiping it clean with a wet sponge or cloth.

Using Essential Oils

Another method to clean a rubber bath mat is by using essential oils. These oils will help kill the bacteria that cause the smell.

Pour some oil onto your rubber bath mat and rub it on the surface with your hands. Make sure that you get all of the surfaces of your rubber bath mat wet with this solution and inside corners where there might be mold hiding out.

Let this sit for about 15 minutes to kill off any bacteria or spores on your rubber bath mat. You’ll notice that it will start to fizz up again after about 10 minutes; at this point, rinse off the oil using warm water.

Conclusion

Mold is a pretty common problem in the bathroom area. It can be tricky to keep up with, especially if you have a lot of traffic in your home and tend to neglect cleaning.

To summarize, if you follow the tips listed above, you should be able to keep your bath mat from molding effectively; it should last you for years and years.