The Best Bath Mats for Cleanliness and Protection, According to Home Design Experts
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A nice shower can cleanse more than skin. As the steam fogs and body wash flows, the brain switches to a relaxed alpha state where dopamine is high and ideas abound (hence the phrase “shower thoughts.”) Of course, eventually, pruney fingers and annoyed roommates snap us back to reality and the cold bathroom floor reckons. That is unless there’s a cushy, comfortable bath mat waiting.
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The best bath mats ease the abrupt transition from the warm moist comforts of the shower walls and keep the bathroom floor dryer, cleaner, and, ultimately, safer. There’s a huge variety of bath mats available for purchase, from memory foam options to bamboo shower mats that provide a minimalist, hardwood alternative to fabric.
What the Experts Say
SPY spoke with four experts to soak up all things bath mat, including interior designer Shivani Vyas of Studio Vyas; Courtney Cole, an interior designer and decorator for bathroom tile distributor TileCloud; Jordan Diatlo, the founder, CEO, and creative director of industrial design company Leadoff Studio; and Aaron Christensen, cleaning expert and VP of growth at Homeaglow.
First, bath mats are about comfort, but experts say they’re also about safety, hygiene and even preserving the floor itself. “It feels like an overused movie or TV trope, but slipping when you get out of the shower onto a tiled floor is really dangerous. The bathmat makes it so we don’t think about that at all,” Diatlo says. “The right mat also goes a long way to protect the tile and grout commonly found on bathroom floors.”
Cole also notes the importance of considering the back of the bath mats for safety, saying, “Non-slip backings can be very important for the safety of those using the bathroom, especially if there are children or elderly people around.”
Keeping that in mind, the most popular material, by far, is cotton for all the reasons cotton is great for so many textiles. It often comes as a hotel-style bath mat or in thicker rug varieties. “Thin cotton bath mats tend to be the easiest to maintain because you can wash them in a household washing machine and reuse them for years to come,” Vyas says.
Structured natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and stone often look great but don’t absorb water, experts say. “Solid bath mats constructed of teak or bamboo are typically varnished with an anti-mold and anti-mildew coating, so these may require virtually no maintenance,” Vyas says. “But, these options also forego the plushness of cotton and fabric bath mats, which add a luxe, soft texture underfoot.” Shaggier microfiber polyester bath rugs, long cotton bath rugs, and plush memory foam all feel great, but they all need regular maintenance to not accumulate too much gunk or discoloration.
Fortunately, for anyone who picks the wrong material, buys the wrong size, or beats the mat up, great bath mats of all kinds can be found in the $10-$50 range, though $20 is more of a sweet spot, experts say. Nicer options can be had for $100+, but that’s where diminishing returns start to kick in.
BEST OVERALL
Frontgate Resort Collection™ Skid-Resistant Bath Rug
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For most people, the Frontgate Resort Collection Skid-Resistant Bath Rug will be the best bath mat. Its high-quality cotton feels luxurious but the mat’s still easy to care for with a washer and dryer. It also comes in 24 colorways and four sizes, so really, there’s no way to miss. “I highly recommend this bath mat from Frontgate. it has a latex-treated back, which will secure well to tile flooring, and is machine-washable,” Vyas says. “It’s buttery soft and made from 100% long-staple cotton! This bath mat also comes in many colors and sizes, so it’s easy to find the right style for your bathroom aesthetic and layout.”
Alas, options start around $50, which is the top end of the reasonable price range, but can anyone really put a price on long-term bathroom comfort? That’s what this soft, chonky-but-not-too-chonky bath rug delivers and will deliver for years to come.
BEST SIMPLE MAT
TOFTBO Bath Mat
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Polyester bath mats like the Ikea Toftbo Bath Mat may offer a different kind of comfort than cotton options, but they’re just as durable and easy to clean and maintain.
“It’s everything I want from a bathmat,” Diatlo says. “It’s heavy enough that it does not slide, but it is all fabric (no rubber), so it dries pretty easily. It’s machine washable, dryer safe, and inexpensive. Best of all it comes in a few colors, so we can rotate these around to spruce up our boring greige rental bathroom.”
Cole agrees, calling the Toftbo “affordable, easy to care for [and] definitely a functional and practical choice.” Christensen also echoes the convenience of being able to put it in the dryer.
At just under $8, this bath mat is as affordable and functional as bath mats get. The only potential sticking point for some will be the lack of anti-slip backing, but people, like the elderly, who might need that can go for another option or add Ikea’s equally cheap Stopp Anti-Slip Underlay. Just be sure to wipe that down occasionally too, Christensen says.
BEST WOOD OPTION
Bamfan Bamboo Bath Mat
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For a sturdy, au naturel bath mat, the Bamfan Bamboo Bath Mat is a modern-looking, minimalist option that can last decades with simple care. “The Bamfan Bamboo Bath Mat could be ideal if you’re going for a more natural or minimalist look, plus it’s quick-drying,” Cole says.
Diatlo agrees but also notes this type of bath mat is not meant to absorb water. “The natural bamboo color and texture does so much to visually warm up any space,” he says. “Just be careful you may need a bathmat to go underneath as water goes right through the slats.”
Users can go that route, but Christensen recommends thoroughly drying such bath mats after each use and keeping their bathrooms well-ventilated. And even if water pools under this bamboo mat, 12 soft rubber nodules loft it, keeping the mat away from the water and securing it to the ground.
Though there are cheaper options than this almost $40 bamboo bath mat out there, the majority have nine or fewer rubber feet, which is less safe for wet and slippery bathroom tiles.
BEST MEMORY FOAM
Microdry Quick Dry Memory Foam Bath Mat with GripTex Skid Resistant Base
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The MICRODRY Memory Foam Bath Mat is great for one thing: that moment of plush, cloud-like heaven when stepping out of the shower. Though Diatlo prefers simpler, more lightweight options, calling memory foam “too much of a solution for me,” if comfort is the top priority, nothing tops a memory foam mat.
“The Microdry Quick Dry Memory Foam Bath Mat offers a contemporary look with the added comfort of memory foam,” Cole says.
However, memory foam bath mats are notorious for sneakily holding on to water — they’re so thick and cushiony that telling the difference between dry and wet is difficult by touch. That makes washing and drying even more important here. “While the cloth cover is quick-drying, I’m not sure about the foam material underneath,” Christensen says. “Regularly washing this Microdry bath mat in cold water and air drying thoroughly would be important due to its foam-based design.”
But that, plus the almost $35 sticker price, is a small price to pay for the overwhelming satisfaction of stepping onto memory foam.
LUXURIOUS OPTION
Aegean Bath Mat – The Citizenry
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There’s an undeniable quality to most hand-made products. The Aegean Bath Mat from The Citizenry proves that true. With a hand-knit textured construction and oh-so-soft long-staple cotton, feet will never regret drying off on this bath mat. “The hand-knit pattern and texture of this are just so beautiful without being too loud,” Diatlo says. “It looks very comfortable.”
But as mats get larger and more luxurious, they often prove to be more delicate, making them more tedious to clean and care for, Cole notes, so this won’t be the best bath mat for families or multiple users.
Though it is machine washable, Christensen recommends hand-washing the mat to maintain its quality — at $89 per mat, that’s going to be important — adding that the high-quality natural fibers will help it air dry quickly. If it does end up in the washer, just use the gentlest setting, Christensen says.
FOR FAMILIES
Gorilla Grip Chenille Bath Rug With Rubber Backing
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The Gorilla Grip Chenille Bath Rug is the perfect option for bathrooms seeing lots of traffic, especially from kids. With a comfortable high-pile microfiber design and thermoplastic rubber backing, this rug stays put against the stampede and was made for repeat cycles in the washer and dryer.
“The Gorilla Grip Chenille Bath Rug is great for a non-slip option with a comfortable, velvety texture that’s also quite absorbent,” Cole says. Diatlo adds, “I love that it has the rubber grip bottom and is able to be machine-washed and dried.”
The only downside with this kind of mat is the accumulation of gunk in its chenille design, but that’s easy enough to manage, Christensen says. “The one downside of chenille is that it can hold debris; vacuuming with an upholstery attachment between frequent washings could be a solution to that minor issue.”
Even if kids take this mat to hell and back and debris continues to accumulate, the Gorilla Grip rug is crazy cheap and easily replaced, starting around $12 for a 24-inch by 17-inch mat in one of 30 colors. Plus, it comes in every conceivable size option for any-size bathroom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bath Mats
How Can I Buy the Best Bath Mat?
There’s a surprising amount to consider when buying a bath mat, but Christensen gave a rundown of some main points to consider. Be sure to measure the bathroom space for optimal sizing, as he notes many mats can run a little large. Look for something that’s quick-drying and easily laundered, and consider anti-slip features like plastic, latex, or rubber backings if elderly people or children will be using the mat. Don’t forget about aesthetic and style considerations, like the look and colors of the bathroom, and don’t go too cheap as a little more money can likely yield a much better bath mat for the long term.
What’s the Best Bath Mat to Avoid Mold, Bacteria, and Fungus?
This question depends on the type of bath mat, but there are two ways to avoid mold and bacteria: Buy a bath mat that doesn’t soak, like a bamboo or stone option, or buy something that can be machine-washed regularly, like a cotton or polyester option.
In short, mold and bacteria develop faster from prolonged water contact, but as long as the mats are cleaned and dried regularly (and not regularly interfacing with fungus feet), they’ll be fine. (See below for more on treating fungus.)
How Should I Clean and Care For My Bath Mat?
Like all maintenance questions, this depends on the type of bath mat, but generally, mats should be cleaned in a washing machine if possible or regularly wiped down if not machine washable. “The easiest way to clean a bath mat is to run the mat through the gentle cycle in the washing machine,” Christensen says. “If you have any concerns about fungal growth, consider adding distilled white vinegar to the laundry. Most mats with a plastic or rubber backing are best air-dried on a wooden rack or sturdy clothesline.”
He adds, and Cole agrees, to actually read the manufacturer’s laundering instructions, being sure to leave any tags in place for the future. Reading care instructions before buying is even better, Cole says.
What’s a Good Price For a Solid Bath Mat For an Average-Sized Bathroom? What About a Stylish Bath Mat?
Experts acknowledge a fairly wide range of prices for bath mats, but functional bath mats can be had for $10-$50 while nicer options can go for $100 or more. The important thing is deciding the right price for the right person and the right bathroom. “Considering I use [the bath mat] every day and it could be the center of the bathroom — a place I use for my own health and wellness — I’d be willing to spend more for something really great,” Diatlo says.
Cole adds, “[Price] really depends on the materials and brand — sometimes spending a bit more on quality can save you money in the long run.”
Vyas agrees. “You can find bath mats in the $15 range to $100+,” she says. “Sometimes, though investing in a high-quality bath mat may be more pricey, you may get more uses out of it without worrying about frequent replacements over the years.”
How Often Should I Clean My Bath Mat?
Whatever bath mat suits best, taking good care of it is key for the mat’s health and anyone using it. “Since [bath mats] get damp frequently and are located on the floor in a high-traffic area of the home, they should be washed weekly (or perhaps twice monthly if very few showers occur in that bathroom),” Christensen says. Air-drying or wipes-downs for hard mats after each use will also extend the daily life in between more thorough washes.
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