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Our top picks are absorbent, secure, and easy to clean.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
Typically placed in high traffic areas like bathrooms, they are prone to a lot of wear and tear.
However, theyre not as comfortable underfoot.
To learn more about how we tested bath mats, check outour testing processbelow.
Credit: Amazon
While it can be machine washed, it needs to air dry.
Instead, its recommended to shake out the rug evenly and let it air dry.
Theres only one size available.
The Lifewit bath mat felt soft and comfortable under our feet.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The thin design is helpful in smaller bathrooms as doors can glide over it.
This bath mat held up well to daily use over a six-month testing period.
Its heavier than most bath mats.
The bath mat is made from diatomaceous earth, a natural sedimentary rock that absorbs water quickly.
We found that no water seeped through to the bottom during testing.
We used this bath mat daily for six months, and it held up well to continuous use.
We also appreciated the simple design that looked right at home ina minimalist bathroom.
The non-slip backing isnt as effective as other options we tested.
With lots of colors and sizes to choose from, theGenteele Bath Matsare quite adaptable depending on your needs.
Water absorbed quickly and stayed centralized where we poured it, rather than spreading to dampen the entire mat.
This bath mat continued to be one of our favorites after testing it for six months.
Despite daily use, the texture and material remained soft and comfortable and it dried quickly.
It didnt lose any of its plushness after laundering either.
The shag design looked matted down after stepping on it.
Its ultra-absorbent at nearly one-inch thick with plush pile that keeps bare feet cozy and warm.
The chenille pile retains extra moisture to keep floors dry and the microfiber fabric dries quickly.
We liked how well the mat held onto water and found the thick pile plush on our feet.
The mat is machine washable and is safe to throw in the dryer.
Color doesnt fade despite multiple washes, and we found it looked fluffier after coming out of the dryer.
The brand also offers a matching chenille collection to coordinate your rug with other items liketoilet seat coversandcontour rugs.
The quality of this bath remained the same throughout our testing period.
At the end of the six months, it was still soft and dried quickly.
Despite our concerns about potential mold buildup, it never developed mold or any unpleasant odors.
A lot of lint will come off the mat during its first few washes.
Credit: Ruggable
If youre looking for cotton fabrics for your bathroom, we recommend theL.L.
Beans Premium Cottonbath mat.
The mat is highly absorbentwe found no drops under the mat after pouring water onto it.
Like other Ruggable products, the bath mat is made to peel from the backing, making it easy to wash and interchange designs.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
And when picking up the mat sideways, no water came off.
There was no moisture on the underside of the mat either.
And for those who love to match their decor, these bath mats pair withL.L.
Beans premium cotton towels.
We tested this bath mat for six months, and it continued to meet our standards.
It absorbed water easily and never developed any mold or unpleasant odors.
And even when the fibers were dense, the bath mat still absorbed water well.
The slatted design allows water to seep through.
In our tests, the mat earned high marks for its stylish look and overall durability.
We found the wood to be smooth and comfortable underfoot.
And when wet, we noticed the mat did not get slippery.
The vented design flows air through the slats which allows it to dry fast.
However, this also allows water to seep through the slats.
While this helps prevent water stains on the mat itself, it may cause water pooling under the mat.
Because it doesnt need to be washed, there is no maintenance needed, making it a convenient choice.
We also liked that because it was bamboo, it never felt soggy to step on.
We stood on the mat for one minute and observed how well the mat maintained its original shape.
We observed how easily the mat moved or if it stayed in place.
We also held the mat sideways to see if any water dripped off the mat.
We recorded our results for hard and soft bath mats differently.
Afterward, we inspected to see how wet or dry the bath mat felt to the touch.
Part two involved machine washing and drying of all washable bath mats twice.
After we laundered our bath mats, we examined them for any fraying, loose threads or additional imperfections.
One disadvantage was how long the rug took to dry.
Brooklinen Bath Mat
We liked how straightforward theBrooklinen Bath Matwas.
If youre looking for something no-frills, this mat was just thata mat.
There is no non-slip backing and feels more like a thick,plush towelthan a bath mat.
The mat is machine washable and maintained its condition after a wash cycle.
In our lab testing, this bath mat was soft and absorbed water well.
it’s advisable to measure your floor space and your bathroom where youd like to put the rug.
Credit: Amazon
A mat that is too small can look odd in a larger space.
Its important to take note of where youd like to place your mat.
For example, most consider a bath mat in front of their bathtubor showerand another oneat their sink.
The Dorai stone bath mat looks sleek, making it a great option for minimalist bathrooms.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
When shopping for the best bath mat for your needs, thickness is another factor to take into account.
That way, you’re free to assure that the door will close with ease.
Most bath mat or rug thickness is measured by pile.
If you look closely at a rug, youll see small loops woven into the rug backing.
These are known as rug pile.
Rug pile height is the distance from the top of the loops to the rugs backing.
Material
Bath mats come in many types of materials.
A few of the most common are cotton and other synthetic fabrics like microfiber or chenille.
They are absorbent, non slip and most are machine washable.
Backing
There are generally six common types of backing for bath mats which provide non-slip abilities.
Hot melt spray backing is lighter and easy to clean in a washing machine.
Theres also non-woven plastic backing.
Before TPR, latex was the most common bath mat backing.
Latex backing is still sometimes found in certain bath mats, as it is an environmentally friendly material.
However, its not as durable as TPR.
Most aremachine washable and dryable.
Bath rugs made with synthetic fibers may need to be dry cleaned.
Many recommend air drying (in the sun is even better if its a clear day).
The bottom line is toread the care directionsfor the individual mat that you are considering purchasing.
Your Questions, Answered
What bang out of bath mat dries the fastest?
Overall, diatomaceous earth bath mats are perhaps the fastest driers.
Are wood bath mats better than fabric?
How often do you gotta replace a bath mat?
The general rule of thumb for replacing a bath mat is two years.
That does depend on use and throw in of bath mat.
Bath mats have a lot mildew potential due to being consistently inhumid environments.
She specializes in gardening and outdoor products, pest control, linens, and small appliances.
Her writing has also been featured in Southern Living, Real Simple, and PEOPLE.
What is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit: Amazon
Water did not spread when we poured it on the Genteele memory foam bath mat.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
The Gorilla Grip bath rug’s rubber backing kept us incredibly secure.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: L.L.Bean
The L.L.Bean Premium Cotton Bath Mat was soft, but not plush.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
The wood is thick and provides a bit of elevation.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens/Henry Wortock
