Cleaning expert's grim warning over bathroom item people wash just twice a year
Experts have revealed that Brits are not cleaning one item in their bath and shower rooms anywhere near close to often enough, but instead only chucking it in the washing machine twice in a year: the bath mat.
The bath mat is a staple of all of our homes and while it can improve safety in your bathroom by stopping you from slipping over in the wet room after washing, it can equally be a hotbed for potential mould and germs, especially if it isn't taken care of properly.
This is because, being on the floor, it is an item that often doesn't dry out fully, so bacteria gets trapped and grows - the fact that they're often placed close to the toilet, doesn't help either.
Try as you might, if there is also a toilet in the room, some germ particles from it could well be found on your bathmat, coupled with the humidity that often occur after a hot bubble bath or steamy shower, it's a recipe for disaster if you don't regularly ensure that your bathmat is kept clean.
Rikki Fothergill, an expert from Big Bathroom Shop, explained how often we should be undertaking this essential household task, "after a survey found a third admitted to washing their mats just two times a year".
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The expert says that you should be washing your bathmat at least once a week, but if you live alone, or it's a bathroom that doesn't get used that regularly, fortnightly would be fine too However as we approach the winter months, "its important to note that with increased humidity levels that you may want to wash more often than usual to avoid build-up of mould."
Fothergill also recommends adding a liner to your mat, because it will decrease the amount of bacteria found on your bath mat. "Liners can make your bath mat and overall bathroom more hygienic by preventing moisture from being absorbed into the floor underneath." Reducing mildew beneath the mat isn't the only thing liners have going for them, they are also "usually easier to clean than the bath mat itself. You can remove and wash the liner separately to keep it fresh and free from any accumulated grime or bacteria."
How you approach cleaning your bath mat will depend on what its made from, and the bathroom expert has some tips: "Cleaning a rattan mat will require more care to avoid damaging the natural material. You'd be better using a cloth to carefully wipe down as opposed to washing in a machine like a regular cotton mat."
If you selected your bath mat because it was particularly colourful or featured a fancy pattern, then Fothergill recommends opting for a gentle wash with detergent to maintain it's vivid appearance. You can also minimise mould or mildew on the bottom of your mat by hanging it between uses.
How often do you wash your bath mat and towels? Let us know in the comments below.
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