How to Clean Bath Mats With Suction Cups

Rubber shower mats are designed to help mitigate slip injuries in showers. However, they require meticulous cleaning regimens to keep them hygienic and in top shape. Even with drainage holes, plastic mats in damp environments can be breeding grounds for germs and mold. This guide discusses how to clean bath mats with suction cups and keep mold and other bacteria at bay. 

Easy Ways to Clean Bath Mats with Suction Cups

Cleaning bath mats and other hard plastic or rubber bath mats every month is a good idea, just like cleaning shower curtains and rugs every month. It helps remove soap scum and other bacteria that cause health risks in the bathroom. Here is a quick guide on how to clean bath mats at home. You can use these methods on bath mats that are fitted with or without suction cups.

1. Use Vinegar

Vinegar can be used as a great cleaner for all sorts of surfaces in your home, even your bath mats. It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and quite effective.

Here is how you can use Vinegar to clean bath mats with suction cups.

  • Fill the sink or tub with warm water, soap, and about a half cup of white diluted Vinegar.
  • Submersion: Put your bath mat in soapy water and let it soak for a bit. Use some heavy-duty dish scrubbers to help you scrub the mat, especially the suction cups.
  • Let the mat sit for about 30 minutes to one hour before you lift it out of the tub.
  • If your carpeting is moldy, clean it gently using a soft brush or a scouring pad, particularly inside the suction cups.
  • Rinse the mat and take it outdoors to dry.
Bath mat with suction cups
Bath mat with suction cups

2. Use Bleach Solution

It is very easy to clean a bath mat by bleaching it. Mix one part of bleach with four parts water in a bucket and leave it to soak for about 15 minutes. Saturate the mat with the bleach mixture and let it sit for about 15 minutes. You will need to scrub the outside of your mat carefully with a clean brush, then rinse it well with warm water and allow it to dry completely.

3. Washing Machine

If it isn’t convenient for you to spend lots of time scrubbing the bathroom mat by hand, use a washing machine. It is very easy to put the bath mat and other soft items, such as a jute rug or a bath towel, in the washing machine. If you use the correct settings and detergent, your mat will be thoroughly cleaned and freshened in no time.

4. Use a Sponge and Dish Soap 

You will need to use mild dish soap to wash the wool mats. You just need to heat up some water and add some dish soap to your damp sponge. Then scrub the dirt and stains that may have accumulated in the suction cups. If any stains remain, soak the area for 15 to 20 minutes. Then give it another wash with more soap. When you’ve finished cleaning, rinse it and place the mat in an aerated place to dry.

5. Use Baking Soda

Using baking soda and water, clean and polish your bath mats. Leave it for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, then scrub it with an old toothbrush or another suitable brush to thoroughly clean the surface. Rinse the bath mat well to remove any remaining soap residue.

Cleaning Bath Mat with Suction Cups
Cleaning Bath Mat with Suction Cups

Procedure for Cleaning Bath Mats with Suction Cups

Cleaning your bathroom mats consistently will give you the most effective results. Here are some cleaning tips to help you clean your rubber bath mats to eliminate soap scum, bath oils, mold, or even built-in hair products. 

  • First of all, remove the rubber mat with suction cups that are affixed to the floor of the bath or shower.
  • Put the mat on the floor with suction cups (or lay it flat) and press the suction cups down to secure it.
  • When you are ready to clean, put the bath mat in the tub and add hot water.
  • Put in 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1-2 tablespoons of white Vinegar, or add some hydrogen peroxide. It may help if you use bleach – maybe 1 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon per gallon.
  • Let it sit for 30 minutes. If it is really stained, soak the item in warm water for 1-2 hours.
  • Scrub all the water stains with a gentle brush and clean the area where the stains are. Scrub very gently and thoroughly to ensure that all the bristles are inside the suction cups. If you really have hard water stains, consider using a brillo pad and a magic eraser.
  • Rinse the bath mat with a clean, soapy shower and let it air dry. Remember that hydrogen peroxide is a powerful bleaching agent that can make your mat white when not thoroughly rinsed off.

How to Hand Wash Bath Mats with Suction Cups

For mats made from soft and delicate materials like bamboo or jute, it’s best to wash them by hand. To hand wash your bath rugs and mats, follow these steps.

  • Take your bath mats and rugs outside.
  • Put together 1 1/2 cups of Vinegar, 1 1/2 cups of warm water, and about two tablespoons of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the liquid mixture on your bathroom rugs or bath mats.
  • Treat stains that are clearly apparent by gently brushing them with a soft cloth or by using a microfiber cloth to scrub them.
  • If you have gloves, mix warm water with a few tablespoons of laundry detergent and use it to scrub your mats. Brush them lightly with a soft brush. Be careful not to completely submerge any mats made from bamboo.
  • Rinse the tub with plenty of fresh water and a soft brush. 
  • Hang out to dry.
  • It is important to sweep the floor of the bathroom to remove any dirt that may be on the floor.

How to Machine Wash Bath Mats with Suction Cups

Some bath mats can be thrown in the washing machine for quick and easy cleaning. Many rugs are usually machine washable and are made of cotton, polyester, or nylon. Always follow the care instructions on any rug tags.

If you need to do a good cleaning, you’ll need to follow these steps:

  • Shake the extra dirt under your mat by folding it up, or you may want to shake it in your bathtub.
  • Put the rug in the washing machine and use hot water to kill any germs.
  • When washing rugs or mats, it is best to mix them with different rugs or towels in the washer because this will help rinse them more thoroughly. 
  • If it’s safe, put your rugs in a clothes dryer to dry. If you’ve got a question, you can just hang it up outdoors for some time to dry.

However, you need to note that some fabrics are unsafe for tumble drying and should instead be hung outdoors to dry. They include:

  • Cotton
  • Linen
  • Shag
  • Bamboo
  • Mats with no-slip rubber backing
  • Other natural fibers

FAQs

How do you get black mold off rubber bath mats?

If you have mold on any rubber mats, use bleach to kill it. You may also place the bath mat in the washing machine with some bleach.

What is the best way to clean a rubber bath mat?

Put the rubber mat and a couple of bath towels in the washing machine. Add your laundry detergent as you would normally do laundry. After your bath mat is completely cleaned and rinsed, you can simply hang it up to air dry. After that, you won’t have any scumming up of the floors or making a mess, just a plain, nice-looking bath mat.

How often should you replace your rubber bath mat?

You should replace your rubber bath mat after every two years. Bath mat rugs are used a lot in the bathroom, and they’ve been designed to last a long time. To help keep your bathmat clean and germ-free, be sure to wash it often. You should wash your bath mat every day if you have a very humid bathroom or if you have many family members who use the space.

Will Vinegar remove mold from rubber?

Spray paint or varnish with diluted bleach and water OR mix water and Vinegar. Use a spray bottle to spray and wipe away any mold areas that remain on the rubber seal.

Wrapping Up

After washing and drying your bath mat with a tub cleaner and rinsing, allow it to air dry for a few hours before reapplying it to your shower floor. After thoroughly cleaning the suction cups on the bath mat, you’ll enjoy a clean, luxurious shower like before. Hopefully, we’ve given you all the essential information you need to prevent germs, dirt, and hard water from ruining your bathroom.

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