Bathmats are a necessity. They absorb moisture and provide a slip-resistant surface for you to step on when you exit the shower or bath. But, there’s a right and a wrong way to care for these if you hope to get as many years of use out of them as possible. This means hanging the mat to dry after you’ve finished using it.
Here are the top 7 places to hang bath mat to dry. Using a wall hook, placing it near a window, putting it on the edge of the tub, having a spare towel rack or even putting it on a clothesline are all ideal. There are others too, but you want to have it in a place with plenty of ventilation and good air circulation.
Additionally, you should hang it somewhere outdoor debris, weather and other impurities won’t attach while it dries. Therefore, we’ll also provide additional tips to keep your mat dry.
Overview of Places to Hang Bath Mat to Dry
Before getting into all the places you could possibly hang your bathmat to dry, you have a few things to consider. First, think about where you live and what kind of ventilation you have. Without proper airflow, the bathmat will not dry properly and it increases the chances of mold or mildew forming in the materials.
Then, consider the space you want to hang the bathmat in conjunction with airflow. You may have to turn on a fan, vent or open a window to ensure the bathmat dries in a speedy and effective way. Finally, it may be good to purchase a special hanger for the bathmat or use a clothes hanger for pants, skirts and etc.
The big takeaway here is to find a place not too far from the bathroom if you can avoid it. Once you have an idea of the space with ventilation along with a sufficient hanger, consider the following places:
- Wall Hook
- Window or Screened Patio
- Tub’s Edge
- Towel Rack
- Clothesline
- Shower Rod
- Hanging Organizer
1. Wall Hook
Wall hooks come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. If you don’t already have one in your bathroom, you can easily install one without having to use nails or screws to secure it in place. There are ones with removable adhesive tabs or you can use something like Locktite’s StickNSeal.
Some of these hooks are traditional while others offer a clipping mechanism. Their materials range widely as well, coming in plastic, metal, wood or ceramic. However, location will be everything to ensure it’s in the direct path of good airflow.
2. Window or Screened Patio
If you absolutely cannot get a good airflow throughout or somewhere near your bathroom, you can hang it in front of an open window or screened patio. This will guarantee the bathmat dries efficiently and effectively so as to prevent mold, germs and mildew from building up.
Finding a spot where indirect sun (not direct) can access it is best. However, make sure toxins, pollutants, dust, debris and other outdoor particles won’t attach themselves to your mat. Likewise, you want to ensure the moisture contained in the mat won’t warp or strip paint, wood and moldings around the circumference of the window or patio.
3. Tub’s Edge
In the event you have excellent bathroom ventilation, you could always hang your bath mat to dry over the edge of the tub. It’s simple, cost effective and practical. You won’t need to use a hanger either. However, if your tub is too short you could always drape it over the doors, if you have them.
4. Towel Rack
Having an additional towel rack on your shower door, the wall or the bathroom door will be ideal for drying a bathmat. However, this is only going to work if you own your residence. Those who are renting will have to ask their property owner for permission prior to installation.
Regardless, they’re fairy easy to install and you would do it much in the same way as you would a wall hook. They come in a variety of styles, materials and sizes.
5. Clothesline
If you have access to a clothesline, you can simply hang your wet bathmat on that to dry. Some people have one running through their bathrooms while others do it the traditional way, outside. Ensure that the mat won’t experience any additional dirt or debris from being outside, however.
Also, you want to make sure that your mat doesn’t come into contact with direct sunlight. The exposure will literally bleach the color and any other designs that might be on it.
6. Shower Rod
Sometimes, putting a bathmat on a hanger and putting it up onto the shower rod is the best way to dry it. It’s quick, convenient and sturdy. Plus, if your mat is soaking wet, all the water can drip back into the tub without creating a flood on your bathroom floor.
7. Hanging Organizer
You can find contraptions all over the internet called a “hanging organizer.” These are racks you attach to any door in your home that allow you to hang clothing. Some models clip over the top of the door while other types install right onto the surface of the door. Either way, they make a great place to dry a bathmat.
As with other suggestions mentioned so far, you have to ensure there will be enough ventilation and airflow surrounding the mat. If there’s any question or doubt, try another method.
Are There Additional Tips for Hang Drying a Bath Mat?
No matter which method you choose to use to hang dry your bathmat, you have to squeeze it out afterwards. Do not hang a bathmat while it’s sopping, dripping wet. This will create a mess on the floor that could present a hazard, especially if there’s carpeting or other absorbent material under the place where it hangs.
Mold or Mildew Growing on the Mat
The best way to know if your bathmat has mold or mildew setting in is by paying attention to its appearance. If it’s a strange shade of yellow, the chances are great that the bathmat has these kinds of undesirable growth. However, if it’s brown or red, these could be mineral deposits from hard water.
Keeping the Bathmat Clean
To keep your bathmat clean, you have to wash it regularly. Of course, you should read the care label installed on the mat to ensure you follow the manufacturer’s directions. Regular washing will ensure that it stays free of things like grime, mold, germs and mildew. Once or twice per week should be sufficient.
Speeding Up the Drying Process
If you want to speed up the drying process, you can turn on a fan, use a blow dryer or use the bathroom ventilation switch to create a stronger flow of air. Avoid putting your bathmat in the dryer, especially if it has a rubber or silicone backing. The heat from the machine will tear it to shreds.
How Do You Prevent a Bathmat from Being Soaking Wet?
Even though the design of bathmats allows for maximum water absorption, being waterproof and/or water resistant, you still want to avoid massive wetness. This is because even the best-engineered mats can succumb to things like germs, mold and mildew.
There are four ways to prevent a soaking wet bath mat: drying yourself thoroughly, having a replacement mat, getting a quick-drying mat and/or placing a towel over it.
1. Thoroughly Drying Yourself
The best guarantee in preventing a waterlogged bathmat is to dry yourself off thoroughly before you exit the tub or shower. This includes squeezing out the moisture from your hair. Doing this means it will be less likely to sop up the mat, thereby making it dry faster when you do hang it up.
2. Replacement Mats
Alternatively, you could have a spare mat you can switch out between showering periods. This way, you can ensure you have a dry bathmat while guaranteeing the wet one dries completely. Such a thing is good for the summer, when humidity forces mats to dry much more slowly than at any other time of year.
3. Quick-Drying Bathmat
To keep mold and mildew at bay while also ensuring your mat dries quickly, consider the materials it comprises. Things like cotton and memory foam will take quite some time to dry, even if you put it in a window or have a fan on. However, something like silicone or bamboo won’t absorb water and will be dry in the shortest time possible.
4. Using a Towel over the Mat
This may sound somewhat strange, but, if your mat has a tendency to get sopping wet regardless of how careful you are, then try using an old towel to cover it. It provides a protective barrier, which absorbs most of the water first. What’s great with this is that you can put it in the dryer machine without worrying about ruining it.