HOW TO CLEAN A BATH MAT

You've finished cleaning your bathroom, but something still seems off. You've scrubbed the tub, wiped down the mirrors, and dusted off the countertops. The realization hits when you look down to see a dirty bathroom rug.

Between dirty shoes, wet feet, and product spills, bath mat stains and troublesome spots tend to pop up often and out of nowhere. Whether you're cleaning a memory foam, cotton, nylon, or bamboo mat, use one cleaner that handles everything from stains to mildew odors.

DIYers often turn to a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar to clean bath mat stains. The fizzy reaction makes it seem like something is happening, but baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid. Combining the two creates a chemical reaction, leaving you with carbon dioxide, water, and trace amounts of salt. This is not always going to be strong enough to lift set-in stains.

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner cleans, deodorizes, and lifts stains, cutting through dirt and grime on washable surfaces and rugs of every type, including nylon, microfiber, chenille, and cotton.

It's best to clean bathroom rugs weekly to biweekly if they're getting heavy use from multiple daily showers or kids' bath time. If your bathroom sees less traffic, clean bath rugs once a month.

Directions for Cleaning a Bath Mat:

If you're unsure how Simple Green will affect a fabric, spot test before cleaning. Always check the tags on your bathroom mats first for manufacturer-suggested products or washer and dryer instructions. Do not allow your Simple Green solution to dry on fabric.

1. Pre-clean. Vacuum or shake the rug outside to get rid of any loose dirt, lint, and hair. Then remove any mess and blot up liquid from the rug before you begin cleaning.
2. Prepare Simple Green spot-cleaning solution. Mix 1 ounce of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner with 1 cup of water in an empty spray bottle.
3. Wet. Dampen stained areas with clean water. Avoid using hot water, as it will only make stains more difficult to remove.
4. Apply Simple Green solution. Spray the solution onto any stains.
5. Soak. Let it sit for a few minutes to soak.
6. Blot. Gently rub and blot with a clean, damp towel or absorbent cloth.
7. Remove any stains. Make sure stains have lifted completely before you throw the mat in the washing machine. If any stains remain, repeat steps 1 through 6.
8. Wash as usual. Once stains are removed, finish the process by washing your bath mat in cold water with your usual laundry detergent. If the mat has rubber backing, it's best to air dry instead of placing it in a dryer.