Laundry basket full of clothes inside a laundry room next to a rug

How to wash bathroom mats & rugs

When you give your bathroom its weekly clean, you may wonder whether you should wash your bathroom rug and how to do it. Because of its damp environment and daily wear and tear, your bathroom mat can benefit from regular cleaning. Use this article as a guide to learn how to wash bathroom rugs in a washer to ensure your bathroom stays fresh.

Can bathroom mats be washed in a washing machine?

Yes, most bathroom mats can be washed in a washing machine. Certain bathroom rugs are made with materials that cannot be exposed to high temperatures, so be sure to always check the care label before washing.

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How often should you wash bathroom floor mats?

You should wash your bathroom floor mats at least once a week to get rid of grime and dirt buildup. Bath mats spend a lot of time in a humid environment, so it’s important to keep them clean with regular maintenance.

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How to machine wash a bathroom mat or rug

Machine washing your bathroom rugs helps to keep your bathroom clean and can help remove grime or dirt buildup. Most bathroom mats can be machine washed, but always check the care label before doing so. Read the following instructions to learn how to machine wash a bathroom mat in general.

What you’ll need to get started

Detergent
Washing machine
Dryer with a low or no-heat cycle setting
Drying rack

Step 1: Shake out the rug

Before you take your bathroom rug to the laundry room, walk the rug outside and shake it out to help remove any dirt, dust or hair that may be clinging to the fabric. Removing this excess debris may help you get an optimal clean.

Step 2: Check the care label

Once you’ve shaken out the rug, check the care label to see if there are any washing instructions to avoid causing any damage to the mat. Different fabrics require different cycle settings, wash temperatures and wash methods, so always consult an item's laundry care tag before placing it in the washing machine.

Step 3: Add detergent and select cycle

Add detergent to your machine’s dispenser following the dosage prescribed on the detergent’s packaging, then select the appropriate wash cycle stated on the rug’s care tag. You may also want to add towels or other items along with the bath mat to keep the load balanced.

Step 4: Choose drying method

Depending on the material of your bathroom rug, you will either place the mat in the dryer or hang it on a drying rack to air dry. The rug’s laundry care label will provide the recommended drying method. When in doubt, hang it up to dry.

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