You’ve been cleaning your bath mats wrong and they’re probably riddled with mould – how to banish the grime properly
THe cold weather means many UK houses are filled with mould and condesation.
The most common rooms this happens in is the bathroom and kitchen thanks to hot steamy showers and cooking on the hob.
While we know how to clean mould off walls and windows – there’s one place you may have been forgetting – bath mats.
Bathroom specialist, Rikki Forthergill, revealed bath mats were a breeding ground for nasty bacteria and mould.
He said: “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.”
Cleaning expert Belinda Everingham went onto reveal bath mats are one of the dirtiest items in a bathroom so it was imperative to stay on top of cleaning them.
Firstly, you need to check the care tag of the mat to ensure you wash it correctly.
The expert said: “Not only do mats soak up moisture and steam but they also gather dust, dirt and hair.
“Shaking the bath mat before washing is imperative to remove any unwanted debris and avoid clogging up washing machines later on.
If the mat has a rubber side to it, consider using a cloth on this area to pull away any 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.”
It is best to wash the bath mats in warm water other hot water as it can cause discolouration.
But the experts best tip to remove mould from bath mats consists of a £1.50 buy you probably already have at home.
She recommended adding half a cup of baking soda to your wash load to reduce bacteria.
You can purchase baking soda from Wilko online.
The cleaning pro added: “Use your favourite smelling detergent and add in baking soda, half a cup should be fine.
“This will help to eradicate odours, brighten colours and reduce bacteria,” they told Express.
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