How to wash a bath mat in the washing machine
A rug that lies on the floor in the bathroom not only performs a safety function, but is also a decorative element. After all, the appearance of the room immediately becomes more comfortable. However, over time, such irreplaceable things lose their former appearance from regular use and require care. In this article we will tell you whether it is permissible to wash a bath mat in a washing machine.
Is automatic washing possible?
Modern automatic machines are adapted for washing, including bath mats. Rugs, in turn, are also quite suitable for automatic washing, but you should not abuse it. Still, it is better to replace such washing with regular manual cleaning, if possible. But if the question still arises, let’s figure out which carpets can be washed in the unit?
- PVC floor mats.
- Synthetic mats.
- Wool rugs.
- Microfiber products.
- Carpets made from various types of rubber.
All these materials are quite delicate, so you need to use a gentle washing mode so as not to harm them. Also, avoid using chlorine-based dry powders or alcohol-based cleaners. We We recommend sticking to gels in capsules or, as a last resort, natural laundry soap without dyes.
Having washed the rug at a temperature no higher than 40-60 degrees, it should not be wrung out either manually or using a machine, as this can greatly harm it. It’s even better to place the rug in some kind of case or wrap it in a pillowcase when washing so that it does not touch the hard protrusions on the inner wall of the drum.
Important! At temperatures up to forty degrees, rubber mats and wool mats are washed! Microfiber and synthetics can be washed at up to sixty degrees, observing the same care requirements.
Rugs take a long time to dry, so after washing it is better to wrap them in terry towels or other products made of dense fabrics that absorb moisture. You need to hang the washed item to dry indoors (but always on a crossbar or rope) if the sun is shining brightly outside, or outside if the weather is cloudy.
The fact is that heaters, batteries and ultraviolet radiation destroy the structure of the carpet, deform the pattern, and dry out the fibers. After such aggressive care, the product can quickly become unusable, so drying is no less important than washing. To reduce drying time, you need to turn the product over every five hours.
The nuances of washing rubber mats
As a rule, for the bathroom, rubber and PVC mats are the best option due to their moisture-repellent properties. You will not slip on such a rug, and it will not deteriorate from constant humidity.
However, caring for such products has its own characteristics. In particular, the product must not be exposed to strong physical or chemical influences. For example, you do not need to place heavy objects on it or wash it with aggressive cleaning agents. This will disrupt the texture and pattern of your rug.
It is machine washable at temperatures up to 40 degrees and dried strictly naturally in the fresh air or in a warm room with good ventilation. None batteries, automatic dryers and heaters!
Do not dry this item in a washing machine equipped with a drying function.
If you want to clean it manually, that's also possible. As a rule, it is enough to limit yourself to dry “washing” with a brush or vacuum cleaner. But if this is not enough, rub a bar of soap into warm water and dilute it. This is the only solution that can be used to wash rubber carpets.
Caring for fabric products
Synthetic carpets should be machine washed at temperatures up to 60 degrees, selecting the appropriate program. However, keep in mind that it would be a good idea to leave your flooring product in a bowl of warm water for a while in advance, dissolving a small amount of non-aggressive powder (without bleach or alcohol composition). After this, you need to start washing without spinning and without drying, since synthetic rugs also dry strictly naturally!
It is recommended to use either a gel/capsule product or a little laundry or other natural soap that does not contain dyes as a detergent. Recommended Rinse twice to thoroughly remove any remaining product.
As for products made from other fabrics, they are washed at temperatures up to 40 degrees with a very delicate cycle. Nothing is wrung out or dried automatically. For additional care, you can throw a couple of kitchen towels or other unnecessary terry items into the tank along with the rug.
Washing microfiber rugs
Microfiber mats have become very popular recently, as they are universal: quite soft, but at the same time resilient and adapted to conditions of constant humidity and warmth.In addition, compared to products made of wool, rubber or PVC, microfiber rugs are very light and will not overload the machine drum.
Basically, the principles of washing microfiber products are the same as all other rugs. Only in soft mode and low temperature, without spinning and automated drying.
Note! Unlike synthetic rugs, microfiber rugs must be washed strictly separately from other items.
Why can't you use super-aggressive detergents? Microfiber is a specially designed fiber that resists moisture, is very durable and long-lasting in use, but can be destroyed by strong chemical exposure. We would recommend not washing microfiber carpets in the washing machine at all, but going over them by hand with a brush and a mild soap solution.
How to care for a rug: general rules?
Now let’s summarize the above information and tell you the general rules for caring for different rugs. After all, if you do everything correctly from the very beginning, the product will last much longer and retain its aesthetic appearance for a longer period.
- Carefully study the tags on products. Basic care requirements are indicated there.
- Do not use high temperatures or cleaners based on aggressive bleaches.
- It is better not to auto-wash rugs made from delicate fabrics.
- Do not overload the drum. If you have a lot of heavy and bulky items, wash them separately.
- As for rubber carpets, try to machine wash them only when absolutely necessary. It is better to stick to regular hand washing.
- The rubber carpet must be thoroughly dried before putting it back into the bathroom, otherwise high humidity can lead to the formation of fungi. Immediately after washing, wipe the product with a damp, warm cloth. This will normalize humidity and prevent excessive drying or increased moisture concentration.
- It is better to dry rugs of any material away from heaters, radiators and sunlight, as this causes rubber products to dry out and fabric products to become deformed.
- Buy removable covers or nets.
If you carefully follow these recommendations, you can extend the life of your bathroom flooring product for a long time. This is necessary primarily for your own safety and good mood!
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1 reader comment
Thank you very much! From everything I read, I realized that it’s easier to buy a new rug. If you have an apartment and it’s cool outside, you’ll be tormented by waiting for a thick, lint-filled rug to dry naturally without spinning.