You probably haven’t realized how dirty your bath mat is right now, and that’s really bad for your health. Here’s how often experts say you should wash it.
Most people use their bath mat at least once a day, but out of all the items in the bathroom it’s probably not one of those that gets cleaned the most. Even if it is cleaned, it is likely not often enough.
Because bath mats are kept on the floor they don’t really get a chance to dry out properly after you step on them with your wet feet, trapping germs and bacteria from across the bathroom. They are also exposed to urine particles and humidity, which make them a health hazard.
Bathroom germs have the potential to cause illnesses such as strep throat, staph infections, salmonella, and athlete’s foot. Other harmful bacteria found across the bathroom include E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Methylobacterium, which can lead to respiratory problems.
A 2021 survey by Apartment Guide found that more than 42 percent of Americans only clean their bathroom about once a month or less, and the items in the bathroom, like mats and shower curtains, get even less cleaning.
He said: “However, even if you do clean your bath mat twice a week, you still need to be replacing them every year. If replacing them this often is too much of an expense, consider purchasing a wooden bath mat which will last much longer, doesn’t cling onto as much bacteria, and therefore doesn’t need to be cleaned as often.
