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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 you put bath mats in the washer?

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.

Person in jeans standing in front of a laundry basket and Whirlpool® dryer

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.

Person loading laundry into a slate gray Whirlpool® washing machine

How to clean bath mats in the washing machine

Routinely washing and drying your bathroom rug properly can help remove grime and buildup from the moisture in the air. Most bathroom mats can be machine washed, but always check the care label before doing so. Read the following instructions to learn how to wash a bath mat in your washer.

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. Check your rug for visible grime and pretreat stains before washing.

Step 2: Check the care label

Once you’ve shaken out the rug, check the care label for specific washing and drying instructions. Bathroom mat material can vary and may require different wash settings, cycles and water temperatures. Keep in mind that you may want to wash bright colors in cold water to keep them from fading. However, if the care tag on your rug calls for a warmer water temperature, you’ll want to follow those instructions.

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. If you’re washing your rug alone, add towels or other items along with the bath mat to keep the load balanced. For a rug that has a water-resistant backing, lower the washer spin speed to help preserve the material. An extra rinse cycle may be necessary to make sure your rug is free of soapy residue.

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 or air dry outside. Make sure your rug is completely dry before using it.

How do you wash a bathroom rug by hand?

If your bathroom rug care tag recommends hand washing or you don’t have a large capacity washer to do the job, you can use your tub or a large sink. Just follow these simple steps to clean your bathroom mat.

Step 1: Take it outside and shake it to remove loose dirt.
Step 2: Pretreat any stains.
Step 3: Fill your tub or sink with warm water.
Step 4: Pour a small amount of mild laundry detergent into the water and agitate the water with your hand.
Step 5: Submerge your rug, agitate and swirl it through the water.
Step 6: Allow it to soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 7: Gently press on your bathroom rug to release soap from the fabric.
Step 8: Drain the tub, then thoroughly rinse your rug with cool water until the water runs clear.
Step 9: Once rinsed, gently squeeze your rug to remove excess water.
Step 10: Hang your rug to dry on a drying rack or clothesline. You may want to dry it overnight to ensure that it’s fully dried.

How do you wash a memory foam bath mat?

Never machine wash memory foam unless instructed to do so by the item’s care label. It is recommended that memory foam be hand-washed to preserve the material.

A closeup of laundry in a Whirlpool® washing machine.

Can you wash bathroom rugs with towels?

It’s a good idea to add towels to your laundry when washing a bathroom rug because it can balance the wash load. They also both have a heavier fabric weight that makes them ideal to wash together. It’s important to sort laundry items by fabric type to help keep your clothing in good shape.

Can bath mats go in the dryer?

Consult your care label before putting your bathroom rug in the dryer. Certain rug fabrics can handle a dryer cycle, while others should be air dried. If you’re uncertain, you may want to either hang it on a drying rack or clothesline to dry.

Shop Whirlpool^® washers & dryers

Whirlpool^® washers and dryers are designed with your needs in mind. If you frequently wash bulky items, such as bedding, sheets and rugs, or want to spend less time in the laundry room by washing and drying larger loads, Whirlpool brand offers large capacity machines. You may also want to consider an industry-first 2 in 1 Removable Agitator washing machine that lets you customize any laundry load by easily swapping the agitator post in or out.