How often should you replace a bath mat? Chances are you're overdue for a new one

Bath mats are a great way to update your bathroom decor, add a pop of colour or pattern to an often neutral-coloured, plain-looking space. Fabric bath mats are the most popular for their comfort and looks, but you do need to replace them regularly. So how often should you replace a bath mat? 

As pretty and soft as they are, fabric bath mats are infamously a place where bacteria and even mould easily grow due to their constant contact with water and the ground. That’s why you need to wash your bath mat often, ideally every week. And yet, bath mats are one of the most commonly missed areas when cleaning a bathroom. 

Even if you are extremely diligent and wash your bath mat at least once a week, you still need to replace it periodically. And we’d venture to say that your bathroom is most probably overdue for a new one.

How often should you replace a bath mat?

‘Fabric bath mats should be replaced every 1-2 years, depending on usage and wear,’ explains Baqir Khan, owner and cleaning expert at Extreme Cleaning.

‘Because bath mats are one of the most frequently used bathroom items and they often come in contact with water, this can easily turn them into favourable spots for mould development and bacteria,’ says Petya Holevich, Fantastic Services' domestic cleaning expert and supervisor. 

‘Over time, the fabric can become worn, faded, or less absorbent, diminishing its effectiveness in keeping the bathroom dry and safe,' adds Baqir. 'Regular washing can extend the lifespan of a fabric bath mat, but eventually, it may become too worn to effectively serve its purpose.’

But it’s not all bad. Look on the bright side – this way you can embrace the latest bathroom trends through regularly updating your bath mat. Right now, scallop-edge bath mats are all the rage, for example.

So if your bath mat is due a replacement, we've rounded up some of our current favourites to swap out the old one for. One softer and more stylish than the next, whether you opt for John Lewis' summery stripes, Dunelm's trendy scallop edges or the geometric pattern of the M&S mat made with a quick dry fabric that might just prolong its lifespan.

But of course, there are always other materials than fabric bath mats that you could go for. All of which are innately longer lasting, whether that's wood or stone as they don't wear out so quickly and aren't as susceptible to bacteria, damp and mould.

Whatever you decide though, just please replace that old fabric bath mat.