They are controversial: Bath mats and bath rugs repel many, while others consider them indispensable. However, washing bath mats is hygienically important. There are two things to bear in mind to prevent damage to the washing machine!
Washing bath rugs and bath mats
It is inevitable that dust, dander and hair will accumulate in bath mats and bath rugs. Moisture can also cause mold to form in the fibers. And last but not least, to prevent the spread of athlete’s foot, it is important to wash your bath mat, rug or bath mat regularly.
This can normally be done easily in the washing machine. But before we explain what you need to bear in mind, let’s first answer the question of how bath mats and bath rugs actually differ.
Bath mat or bath rug: What’s the difference?
Bath rugs are generally made of synthetic fibers such as polyacrylic or polyester. They are also larger and heavier than bath mats. Bath mats, on the other hand, tend to be smaller and are usually made from natural fibers such as cotton.
However, the transitions are fluid and there are also regional differences in the names. For this reason, both bath rugs and bath mats are mentioned equally in this article, although the problems with washing primarily relate to the larger bath rugs.
Two mistakes when washing with the washing machine
There are two mistakes to avoid when washing bath mats and rugs.
1st mistake: Too heavy
An old household rule says that you should always leave a hand’s breadth of space in the drum to protect the washing machine from overloading. Many experts now consider this rule to be outdated, as the washing drums of modern machines are full before the maximum weight is reached.
However, this only applies to items of clothing. However, bath mats and bath rugs are large and heavy – and they soak up a lot of water, which increases their weight even more. This can be a problem when spinning in two ways:
- In the more favorable case, the washing machine’s imbalance control comes into play: this balances out the spin cycle or cancels it. The bath rug comes out of the washing machine soaking wet.
- In the worst case, the unbalance control does not work and the washing machine can be damaged – over time – due to the heavy weight: Expensive bearing damage is imminent.
With or without unbalance control: A permanent heavy load can shorten the service life of your washing machine. For large, heavy bath mats and bath rugs, you should therefore always pay attention to the maximum load limit of the washing machine.
2nd mistake: Too hot
Bath mats and bath rugs often have a rubber coating on the underside 🛒. This is to prevent slipping on smooth tiles. Bath mats and rugs with a rubber coating should be washed at a maximum of 40 °C on a gentle cycle. If you wash them at 60 °C or higher, the rubber coating can come loose and stick to the inside of the washing machine. If the detached rubber pieces stick to inlets and outlets as well as sensitive parts, this can restrict the function of the washing machine and result in expensive repairs.
Bath mats made of pure cotton and without rubber can of course also be washed at 60 °C.
You should therefore read the manufacturer’s care instructions carefully before washing bath mats and rugs. Because even if they do not immediately cause damage to the washing machine, the mistakes can cost a lot of money in the long run.
Sources: frag-team-clean, familyhandyman
