Are Bathmats Worse Than Toilet Seats?

When is the last time you washed the bathroom mat?

According to a British study in the March issue of Cleaning Matters, a publication for the professional cleaning industry, only

Figure 1: Hard surface floors can be a slipping hazard. A bathmat helps to absorb moisture after bathing.

1 in 4 wash their bathmat at least once a week. The study found:

Almost a million respondents have NEVER washed their bathmat.
Respondents (15%) only wash the mats when they are expecting visitors.
Divorcees are most likely to leave bathmats for 3-5 months.

Is this a problem?

Yes! This study found the bathmat had more bacteria than a toilet seat! The reason? Because the mats are wet each day after showers and baths, they can support E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus and can harbor the fungi that causes athlete’s’ foot or the virus that causes plantar warts. Dirty bathmats can even contribute to shoe odor symptoms. Even when the mat does not appear dirty, it can accumulate dead skin, hair, dust, bacteria, dirt, and even fecal particles. Coupled with the moisture captured after bathing, the mat becomes a petri dish. If someone had a cut or sore on their skin, it could become contaminated after stepping on a mat.

What can you do?

The recommendation is to wash the mats once a week in hot water, especially if the mat is damp for lengthy periods or if they are rubber backed. Use a sanitizing detergent or rinse. Wear slippers inside the bathroom and wash your feet thoroughly. Think getting rid of the bathmat is the answer? Nope! If moisture is not contained by the bathmat, the water can seep into floors, leading to mold and mildew and potentially even structural problems.

Figure 2 Bathmats, although they look clean, may harbor bacteria or viruses and need to be cleaned weekly.

We all know that a clean and pleasant bathroom creates a positive impression on visitors and guests. So, in addition to sanitizing door handles, light switches and water faucet handles, consider throwing your bathmats in the laundry each week. It is good for your health.