Why your bathroom mats need to be washed in winter and how often you should clean them

Bath mats become dirtier during winter. They should be washed once a week in the winter (Image: Pexels)

• Bath mats should be washed weekly in winter due to dampness and increased dirt
• Machine wash bath mats with warm water and mild detergent; air dry to prevent damage.
• Loofahs and sponges need replacing every 3-4 weeks, towels washed every 4-5 days

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Bathrooms are spaces where hygiene matters the most. So, even if you have bathed, you need mats that are equally fresh and clean. However, this becomes a problem in winter, when dampness remains and it takes longer for them to dry. This shouldn’t really be a problem, as bath mats are easy to wash in a washing machine.

Why and how often should you wash the bath mats in winter?

It is quite easy to notice that bath mats remain damp for a long time in the winter, as they hold onto moisture more. The cold air and humidity due to hot showers don’t help either. Besides, experts say indoor heating dries the air, causing more dead skin cells to shed.

This makes the bath mats dirtier during the cold season. So, they should be washed once a week in the winter. If too many people use the same bathroom, the frequency should be increased.

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How to clean them?

It doesn’t take much effort to wash bath mats, as they can easily be cleaned in a washing machine. Standard bath mats made of cotton or microfibre can be tossed into the machine with warm water and a mild detergent.

Since most bathmats have a rubber backing, they should be allowed to dry naturally by hanging them on the stand. This applies even when they’re damp. Using the machine dryer may cause damage, so it’s best to avoid it.

If you don’t have time to wash them often, it’s a good idea to have multiple bath mats that can be alternated. This helps keep them fresh, making them last even longer.

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Bathroom essentials that need to be cleaned or replaced more often

It’s not just the bath mats, but other bathroom essentials also need as much attention. Think loofahs and bath sponges. These need to be replaced as they invite bacteria and mould, and should be replaced every 3-4 weeks. Towels should be washed after 4-5 days. Hand towels and robes need weekly cleaning.