As a homeowner, there’s no denying that you’re constantly cleaning either one thing or another in your home. Granted, a large part of it is because you’re a responsible human being who cares about keeping their living space fresh and clean for you and your family, but truth be told, keeping a house definitely takes a lot more work than it sounds like!
Out of all the things used on a daily basis in a home, floor mats indeed take the top spot for the most well-used everyday items. From outdoor floor mats to bathroom mats, to mats that you put outside of different rooms in the home, these things are definitely heavy duty.
Because of their heavy-duty use, they soon become a haven for bacteria and mildew, which is, for all intents and purposes, not a very nice thing to have in a clean home.
But with so many floor mats all around the home, it can be a daunting task to try and keep them all constantly clean.
If you’re wondering whether it is hygienic to wash floor mats in the washing machine – the answer is yes, it is! Fabric floor mats can be washed in a standard household washing machine. Avoid washing mats with thick rubber backing that’s hard-to-fold or bend. Do not exceed the capacity of the washer, and do not wash mats with clothing.
But there are several considerations you need to take note of before you chuck your bunch of floor mats into your washing machine, close the lid, press the “start” button and pour yourself a glass of wine while the machine does all the cleaning for you.
Can I wash floor mats in a washing machine?
First things first, let’s establish that floor mats that can be found all around the home come in a very large variety of shapes, sizes, and weights.
Now, the first two factors don’t matter much to a washing machine (as they all get wet and soaked with detergent suds anyway), but the last one – weight – matters a lot when it comes to washing machines.
Bathroom mats, for example, are meant to absorb as much water as possible because when you step out of the shower or the bathtub, you’ll pretty much be soaking wet, and bathroom mats do a fantastic job of keeping that water dripping from your body off your bathroom floor.
Now, imagine having just 3 or 4 bathroom mats in one washing machine load – because of the high amount of water it absorbs, the weight of these seemingly innocent mats exponentially increases, to the point of causing some washing machines to break down due to the unexpected weight while performing its spin-dry function.
This results in a major repair and service being required, which comes with a hefty bill in any case!
What kind of floor mats can be washed in washing machine?
If your home has floor mats that are made of microfiber, or chenille, or plain cotton, you can definitely wash them in the washing machine without any worries.
Just be sure not to overload your washing machine, and follow your manufacturer’s handbook.
For bathroom mats, remember that they absorb a lot more water than normal floor mats, so take care not to wash too many bathroom mats in one load.
If your floor mats are made out of jute (usually outdoor floor mats) or any other material that is not cotton or doesn’t have a label that says ‘machine washable,’ you should never put it through a washing machine cycle!
And if your floor mats have any plastic or rubber backing, always check to see if the underside material of your floor mats is not cracking, peeling, or coming off in any way.
These little pieces that flake off the backing of such floor mats will eventually collect in the drainage hole in your washing machine, clogging it up and causing lots of damage to the appliance.
Is it hygienic, though?
Sure, most floor mats are full of microorganisms and bacteria because they are stepped on every single day. But much like how you can wash your dirtiest clothes in the washing machine without question, it is just as hygienic to do so with your floor mats.
Modern detergents are designed to be tough on a wide variety of bacteria and microorganisms on all kinds of fabrics, ensuring that you’ll always have fresh, hygienic clothes or floor mats at the end of the cleaning cycle.
How to ensure your washing machine is kept clean and hygienic
Okay, so we’ve established that cleaning floor mats in your washing machine is hygienic. But if you really want to ensure that your washing machine is kept as clean as possible, here’s a little tip for you.
To sanitize your wash drum in your washing machine, you’ll want to get a quart of white vinegar, mix with a cup of baking soda, and then scrub the mixture all around the interior of your washing machine’s wash drum with a nylon brush.
Then run your empty washing machine on the hottest temperature setting at a heavy-duty cycle. This will sanitize your wash drum so that you can be extra sure all your upcoming laundry is kept free from any germs or microorganisms whatsoever!
Conclusion
So now that we know that it is hygienic to wash your floor mats in the washing machine, you’ve probably found a way to save some time doing your list of household chores.
However, it is always best to ensure that you don’t end up causing more work for yourself than you should do.
For example, when cleaning floor mats or bathroom mats, always dust off or vacuum any visible debris on the mats’ surface.
If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner handy, you can simply hang the mats up(preferable outside) and beat them with a stick. Also, a good way to get out any pent-up anger. 😉
You’ll be surprised to see the amount of dust and hair buildup on these mats, especially bathroom mats!
They may seem like small things, but this debris may clog up your washing machine, and end up costing you expensive repairs in the long run. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!
