How to remove stains from a rubber bath mat

Bathrooms, especially bath mats, are prone to stains from things like moisture, urine, and mold build up. Instead of throwing your rubber bath mat away, it’s easy enough to clean with detergent and a washing machine. You can also use vinegar, bleaching powder, baking soda, and lemon juice.

These highly effective stain removal methods will bring out the best in your bathroom and restore the freshness after every bath.

Getting rid of mold rubber bath mats

Stains that settle on your bathroom rubber bath mat can be stubborn, especially when they’re due to mold. Removing them takes time and effort. In this method, you need to use hot water, bleaching powder, baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, a spray bottle, and plastic scrubber.

Follow these steps to get rid of the stains on your rubber bath mat.

First, remove the mold:

1. When removing the stains, you need to remove the mold first. To do this, prepare a solution of one cup of white vinegar and two cups of hot water.
2. Put the solution in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the mold, let it sit for a few minutes to dissolve the mold.
3. After a few minutes, scrub the mold off using a plastic scrubber. Using a metal or hard object can scratch the mat, so it’s best to use plastic.
4. Rinse the mat using clean water to remove the mold.

Disinfect with bleach:

• Put on rubber gloves and make sure the bathroom is well ventilated, as you will now be dealing with bleach.
• Plug the drain in your bathtub and put the bath mat in the tub.
• Pour hot water over the mat. Let the water level reach at least three inches.
• After 2 to 3 minutes, pour bleach on the mat, mixing the bleach and hot water.
• Soak for one hour and then drain out the tub.
• It’s also important to note that if your mat is colored, don’t use too much bleach. It can discolor or lighten the color of your bath mat. It would be best if you try to test the bleach on a hidden area of your mat.
• Rinse the mat with water.

Scrub with baking soda and lemon:

1. At this point if there’s still a sign of mold stains, put baking soda on the mat and scrub it using a plastic scrubber.
2. Prepare a solution by mixing lemon and hot water. Once you finish scrubbing, spray the lemon juice solution on the stained areas. The acid from the lemon will eliminate the rest of the stains.

Regularly cleaning your bathroom will prevent the stains from forming and ruining your bathroom and bath mat. It’s important to act at the first sign of mold to ensure optimal cleanliness.

Using enzyme detergent to remove bath mat stains

Using commercial enzyme detergent is an effective and convenient method that can help eliminate unsightly stains on your rubber bath mats. You can buy one from your local hardware store, online or even make your own.

Follow these steps to achieve optimal results.

1. Put the enzyme detergent in a large bucket and fill it up with warm water.
2. Place the bath mat in the container and leave it overnight.
3. Take the mat out in the morning and put it in the washing machine.
4. If you want to be sure it’s fully clean, run a cycle two times.
5. If the stains haven’t diminished completely, repeat the process, soaking the mat in the enzyme solution even longer, or with a more highly-concentrated solution.

Bleaching powder

The oily buildup of soap and hair products can create stains on your bathroom mat. If you clean regularly, you can reduce or eliminate the possibility of stains. But if you’ve accumulated stains, using commercial bleach powder can remove these pesky stains with ease.

Make sure you use protective gear and that your bathroom is well ventilated, preferably with an open window. Open your bathroom windows and door if you’re pouring the bleach in the water. A well-ventilated bathroom is a must because the smell of the bleach causes dizziness.

Follow these processes to remove the stains on your rubber bathroom mat.

1. Prepare a solution using the diluted bleach and water. Look at the directions on the packaging for how concentrated it should be.
2. When preparing the solution, pour the cold water first, before putting the hot water. If you pour hot water on bleach, it can produce toxic fumes.
3. Soak your bath mat in the diluted solution for a few hours.
4. After 2 to 4 hours, remove the rubber mat from the solution and scrub it with a plastic scrubber for at least 10 minutes.
5. If there are no stains left, air dry it outside in the sun. Never put the rubber mat in the dryer as it can cause damage.

Common questions about rubber bath mat stains

What causes stains on rubber bath mats?

Mold is the main cause of stains on rubber bath mats. Molds are small organisms that live everywhere and thrive in moist environments, so bathrooms are a perfect mold breeding ground. Another thing that can cause bath mat stains is residue from shampoo and oily bath products.

Fortunately, none of these stains are permanent and there are steps you can take to avoid them in the first place and remove them when they appear.

Can salt remove the stains on my rubber bath mat?

Yes. You can use salt as an alternative solution for removing stains on your rubber bath mat. All you need to do is mix it with white vinegar to create a solution. Put it in a spray bottle and apply it to the stains. Let it sit for an hour. Scrub it and rinse it well using clean water.

Can bleach harm the color of rubber bath mats?

Yes. If you use too much bleach on your bath mat, it can damage the color, especially if it’s brightly colored. That’s because bleach contains acid, and it can lighten or discolor your rubber mat. Make sure that you measure the amount of bleach when applying it to the mat to avoid discoloration.

Final thoughts

Some people would probably just throw their rubber bath mats out if they saw a stain or two, but instead of creating more waste, you can follow a few simple procedures to get rid of your bath mat stains.