I’m a cleaning pro – why you should never wash your bath mats with your towels, and the correct way to clean them

WE CAN spend hours scrubbing the bathroom from top to bottom – but there might be one area your forgetting.

According to one bathroom specialist, many Brits are forgetting to clean their bath mats often – making it a breeding ground for nasty bacteria.

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Here’s the right way to clean bath mats – and how often you should keep up with the chore[/caption]

Bathroom specialists at Big Bathroom Shop, polled Brits on their cleaning habits and found that almost half neglect their bath mat, waiting up to two weeks or longer before washing it.

And that’s not all, 13% only clean their bath mats a few times a years.

The bathroom pros spoke to cleaning expert Belinda Everingham to find out why you need to wash them way more often than you think and how to make sure you clean them properly.

She said: “Bath mats are a breeding ground for nasty bacteria in the bathroom.

“You should aim to clean it once a week at least, depending on how often it is used.

“Clung to floors, mats have no way of circulating air or drying off and this will create moisture and result in a build-up of mildew and mould.”

“Always remember to regularly clean frequently used bathroom items such as bath mats or towels, as well as highly touched surfaces.

“These are often the dirtiest places in bathrooms where germs can be spread.”

TAG TEAM

Before you start doing anything – the cleaning expert says you need to check the care tag to make sure you don’t damage it.

If you don’t, it could warp the fabric and you’ll have to buy a new one.

SHAKE IT OFF

Not only do mats soak up lots of moisture they can also gather dust, dirt and hair.

Shaking the bath mat helps remove unwanted debris and dust and prevents it from clogging up the washing machine.

The cleaning whizz noted: “If the mat has a rubber side to it, consider using a cloth on this area to pull away any other visible grime.

“A vacuum can also be used for day-to-day maintenance- a quick once-over will keep on top of your mats between deep cleans.”

IN A SPIN

When it comes to washing it – use a warm cycle rather than a hot one to prevent the mat from shrinking.

The cleaning expert recommended adding in baking soda to help eradicate odours, brighten colours and reduce bacteria.

Belinda noted: “Adding lavender can also help maintain freshness and aid in reducing mildew.

“Never overload the washer. Wash one mat at a time and never with other fabrics such as towels, as there is a risk that bacteria could transfer from one material to another.”

HANGING OUT

The best way to get your mat to dry is by putting outside so the breeze stops the fabric matting together.

However, if the weather doesn’t allow it you can dry it inside.