Memory foam bath mats are great bath mats that provide relief to sore joints. They’re also perfect for bathrooms, as they absorb water – keeping your bathroom floors dry and slip proof. No more slippery floors.
The only problem with this, is that because they absorb water, they are prone to mold growth. Memory foam bath mats soak up a lot of water and, if not dried, the water gets trapped inside allowing mold and bacteria to grow.
But, no need to worry. With good care and a regular cleaning routine, your memory foam bath mats can be clean and stay as good as new.
So, if you’re wondering how to wash memory foam bath mats, we’ve got all the information and answers to your questions right here.
How to Wash a Memory Foam Bath Mat
Memory foam bath mats are comfortable, soft, and certainly make your bathroom stand out. However, unlike regular cotton bath mats, memory foam needs to be handled with care.
It isn’t difficult to clean them, but there are certain things that need to be followed, as well as some things that need to be avoided.
We’ll explain the best way to clean them by hand, as well as using a washing machine.
How to Wash Memory Foam Bath Mats By Hand
What you need to understand before beginning to wash your memory foam bath rug is that it may come with care instructions. With some memory foam bath mats you might only be able to hand wash them.
Machine washing could ruin the foam backing, design, or even cause stains to set in deeper. So be sure to read the care tag before deciding how to clean your memory foam mats.
Hand washing is the safest way to wash memory foam if you want it to last longer. You also get the best results when washing by hand.
Follow these steps below for the best way to hand wash your memory foam bath mat:
- Vacuum or dust off any dirt or dust before washing.
- Fill your bathtub just enough for the bath mat to be fully submerged inside the water. Be sure to use cold water.
- Add 1 cup of gentle laundry detergent to avoid damaging the memory foam with regular laundry soap.
- Mix the water until it becomes soapy and submerge your mat.
- You can either use a soft brush or sponge to gently scrub the mat, or apply pressure with your hands to squish and squeeze the soapy water in and out of the memory foam. If you use a brush be sure not to scrub too hard – you may wear out the fabric on the top of the mat.
- Scrub the mat until it no longer stinks, or the stains have been removed. If this isn’t visible to you, wait for the water to turn dark to stop scrubbing.
- Drain the water and fill the tub with clean, cool water. Squish and squeeze the soapy mat until it’s no longer soapy. If the water becomes dark, repeat this step once more. You can also rinse the mat under cold, running water until the mat is no longer soapy.
- Squeeze as much water as you can out of the mat and hang dry or lay flat to dry outside. You can also hang it to dry inside your bathroom on the shower rod, but this may take longer for the mat to dry.
How to Wash Memory Foam Bath Mats Using a Washing Machine
Some memory foam bath mats can be machine washed. However, it’s always best to hand wash memory foam to keep it looking new.
When you wash memory foam mats in the washer you risk damaging the foam backing, as well as wearing out the memory foam. Washing machines are harsh on mats, so be sure to check the care instructions to find out if your memory foam mats are machine washable.
If your mats are indeed machine washable, follow these steps to safely wash them in the washer:
- First thing – vacuum or sweep any dust or dirt off the mat. Do not skip this step if you plan on machine washing your mats – too much dirt may clog your washer.
- Place your mat in the washer on a gentle cycle. Be sure to use only cold water on your memory foam mats – hot or warm water will damage and wear down the memory foam. It will also cause the backing to crack.
- Add liquid detergent that isn’t too harsh. You can add half a cup of white vinegar to get rid of the stench and mold. Never use bleach, or harsh products on your memory foam bath mats.
- It’s always a good idea to air dry memory foam rather than place it in the dryer. Using a dryer may destroy the foam backing. Hang dry or lay flat to dry outside away from direct sunlight. You can also hang dry in your bathroom on the shower rod, though this will take more time.
Some Things to Avoid When Washing a Memory Foam Bath Mat
Because memory foam is delicate, it needs to be cared for in a gentle way. That’s why it’s important to follow a manufacturer’s care instructions.
It’s also important to avoid harsh cleaning products even if the mats are extremely dirty. There are alternatives to using harsh chemicals to clean memory foam, like vinegar and baking soda.
Washing With Hot or Warm Water
Using hot water on your memory foam can severely damage the fibers in your mats. Hot water wears the memory foam down making it thin and flat. It also causes the rubber backing to dry and crack.
Memory foam is heat sensitive. Because of this, using hot water can cause stains to set deeper into the foam making them harder to clean. Hot water can also cause the color of your mats to fade and bleed leaving them looking dull and worn out.
Using Bleach and Other Harsh Cleaning Products
You might think that using bleach on white mats helps remove tough stains, but it only makes things worse. Bleach is great for removing stains, however, it’s very harsh on the synthetic material. Because memory foam is very delicate, bleach will actually make your mats look worn out.
Instead, use natural stain removers like vinegar and baking soda.
Likewise, using ammonia and other harsh cleaning solvents can ruin memory foam, as well as the non-slip backing and carpeted surface. These cleaning solvents contain harsh chemicals that shouldn’t be used on your memory foam bath mats.
Using mild detergent, or even dish soap is best when washing memory foam.
Scrubbing With Rough Scrubbers or Sponges
Using rough scrubbers and sponges damages the fabric. A harsh scrubber can even cause the memory foam to tear, completely damaging the entire mat.
It’s best to use soft brushes and sponges, or even just using your hands is recommended to clean memory foam bath mats.
Other Tips to Keep in Mind When Washing Memory Foam Bath Mats
- When machine washing your shower mats, wash them separately from other clothes and linens in your laundry room to avoid friction and colors from other laundry to bleed on your rugs.
- If you decide to dry your mats in the dryer, or the care instructions allow you to do this, be sure to set your dryer on a low heat, delicate cycle. If your dryer has an air dry setting, use this to prevent overheating the backing. Using the dryer can destroy the rubber and cause it to crack and crumble.
- Hang drying is best for your rugs, however, it’s recommended to keep it out of direct sunlight. Although, if your mats are filled with bacteria, putting them out in the sun occasionally can help kill the bacteria. Just be sure that the foam backing isn’t in the direction of the sunlight. Harsh ultraviolet rays from the sun can dry out the backing leading it to crack.
- Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions before attempting to clean your mats.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Often Should You Wash Memory Foam Bath Mats?
The bathroom floor is a wet and humid place which makes it easy for mold and bacteria to grow. This, along with wet feet on your rugs makes them dirty quicker. Therefore, bathroom mats should be washed every 3 to 5 days, or once a week.
It really depends on how often you use the bathroom, or the bathroom mat. Most manufacturers recommend washing the memory foam once a week.
What’s more, keeping the mat dry can extend its lifespan. You can do this by regularly placing it somewhere to dry after every use.
How Do You Get the Smell Out of a Memory Foam Bath Mat?
Memory foam mats soak up lots of water. For this reason, they’re bacteria magnets. When water gets trapped inside your mats with no chance to dry, bacteria and mold start to grow. This makes your mats stink.
If this happens to you, try out the tips below to get rid of the stench:
- You can use white vinegar to remove bad smell to remove the smell, as well as the bacteria from your bathroom rugs. You can wash the mat with vinegar or simply spray the mat to prevent bacteria from growing on the mats.
- Using baking soda is probably the best way to get rid of the bad smell in your memory foam bathroom mat. You can use baking soda with vinegar to form a paste and spread it on the mat. Then scrub and wash it off.
- Occasionally drying it under the sun is also a great way to get rid of the smell. Just be sure to keep the rubber backing away from direct sunlight.
- Simply using dish soap is the easiest method to get rid of a bad smell in your memory foam rugs. Washing the mats with dish soap is enough if the smell is only caused by trapped water.
How Do You Dry a Bath Mat After a Shower?
It’s actually recommended to wash bath mats after each shower or bath. This keeps it dry and free from bacteria. All you need to do is hang it on the shower rod or towel hanger after taking a shower. You can also hang it out in the sun occasionally, keeping the backing away from sunlight.
Final Words: How to Wash Memory Foam Bath Mats
Remember that regularly cleaning your bath mats keeps them clean and free from bacteria and mold. Keep them dry and create a wash routine to help keep your memory foam mats looking new.
Memory foam bath mats are a great addition to any bathroom, so taking the time to delicately wash them is important to keeping your bathroom clean and smelling good.
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