Can You Put Bath Mats In The Dryer? (Find Out Now!)

Emily Carr
by Emily Carr

Bath mats are an essential part of every bathroom and come in all different shapes, sizes, and materials. What they’re made of dictates how they should be cared for. Can you put bath mats in the dryer?

You can put bath mats made of cotton, polyester, nylon, or a blend in the dryer on a gentle cycle. Rubber, sequin, wool, or natural fiber rugs should be hung to dry in a temperate climate, away from the sun. Always consult the care instructions label or company that makes your bath mat if you’re unsure.

In this article, we’ll dive into whether or not you’re able to put bath mats in the dryer and which bath mats are the most dryer-resistant. Additionally, we’ll cover some tips on where to place your bathroom run!

Can You Put Bath Mats in the Dryer?

When it comes to bath mats, it’s important to handle them with care in order to preserve each one’s fabric.

For most materials, you should never put bath mats into the dryer, as they will shrink over time and lose their texture and color. Cotton or polyester blend mats can be dried on low heat. Always follow the care tag instructions or consult the brand if you’re not certain.

If you do plan on putting your bath mat in the dryer, make sure that it doesn’t have any embellishments like sequins or embroidery. These intricacies could burn or rip off during a high-heat cycle.

Overall, when it comes to putting bath mats in the dryer, we recommend against doing so. The reason for this is if damage does occur to your mat after it’s been put in the dryer, the only option is to replace it.

The Best Types of Bath Mats for the Dryer

While it isn’t recommended to put most bath mats in the dryer, there are some that can be placed on a gentle cycle without sustaining damage.

The best bath mat materials to dry are:

  • Cotton or cotton blend
  • Polyester blend
  • Nylon
  • Microfiber 
  • Some memory foams

As we mentioned above, while drying bath mats of these materials, always be sure to read the maintenance instruction label first. It’s better to dry them on low heat for longer than do a quick, high-heat cycle.

Another option is a low-heat, short dry cycle to render the mats slightly damp but not completely dry. Then, you can hang them for the remainder of the drying process. This will speed up the drying period and limit possible harm to your bath mats!

The Worst Types of Bath Mats for the Dryer

Now that we’ve learned about the most tolerant fabric combinations for machine drying, which materials must you absolutely never put into a dryer?

The worst bath mat materials to dry are:

  • Rubber (or rubber components)
  • A mat with tassels, embroidery, sequins, or beads
  • A woven or braided mat
  • Bamboo
  • Chenille 
  • Wool 
  • Natural fiber or jute

Rubber is the number one worst material that you can expose to heat; thus, bath mats with a rubber bottom should never see the inside of a dryer. Not only will doing so damage the rug, but it may also cause a fire hazard.

A bath mat that is woven, braided, has tassels or sequins should also be air-dried. These elements can get caught on something or easily be undone in a dryer setting.

Drying a bamboo bath mat is also a no-no (and rather impossible). Chenille, wool, or natural fiber rugs are less commonly seen in a bathroom; however, they should be laid out to dry if they are washed or cleaned.

How Should You Dry These Bath Mat Materials?

Because all of the materials mentioned above cannot be cycle dried, how exactly should you dry them?

The best way to care for bath mats that can’t be dried is to hang them in a temperate location on an elevated rack. Placing them on the floor can lead to mold and mildew formation, so be sure to hang the mats completely spread out and with an ample amount of space.

Unfortunately, sunlight can cause fading with jute or colored bath mats, so opt for an indoor hanging location. This portable and collapsible hanging rack from Amazon is a great choice! It can be placed in your mudroom or laundry room or put up and taken down as you please.

Where Should You Place Your Bath Mat?

Which is the best spot for your bath mat- right outside of the shower or in front of your vanity?

You should find a bath mat that’s absorbent and fits in front of the entrance to your shower; then, place it there. This location will prevent you or your guests from slipping and enable you to dry off before dripping water all over the rest of your bathroom.

If you want to add an additional mat, or one that’s a little bit more decorative and less functional, put that one in front of your sinks/mirror. Just be careful not to spill makeup and toothpaste!


Related Questions

Can you put bath mats in the washer?

Similar to drying a bath mat, whether or not you can machine wash it will depend on the material.Bath mats made of cotton, polyester, nylon, or a blend of these are most suitable for the washing machine. You will need to use a delicate cycle (cool or cold water temperature) with the lowest water level possible and a small amount of detergent.For best results, follow the care instructions on your specific mat!


Can you put a bath mat on a heated floor?

While heated bathroom floors are a luxury that makes your nightly routine that much better, some people see them as dangerous. Can you put a bath mat on a heated floor?While doing so shouldn’t create a fire hazard, it’s still generally not a good idea. If you have a heated bathroom floor, never leave the bath mat on top of it while it’s on. The moisture combined with heat will cause mold and mildew to form beneath your mat.Instead, opt for a small towel that you can throw in the laundry. Otherwise, be sure to hang your bath mat and turn off your heated floors after showering.


How can I keep my bath mat from getting smelly?

There are a number of ways to keep your bath mat from getting smelly, the most common being cleaning or washing it.The smell you might be experiencing is likely the result of moisture build-up. No matter how clean you are, sometimes it’s impossible to avoid. The main reason for this is leaving soaking wet bath mats on the floor.If you notice an odor, wash your bath mat according to the care instructions and hang it after use to keep it dry and stink-free!

To Sum It Up

If you’re looking for a durable bath mat that can withstand the dryer, we recommend checking out the washable and machine-dryable options listed above.

While most bath mats are best suited for air drying, cotton blend, polyester, and nylon rugs can be thrown into the dryer on a low-heat setting!

Always consult the care label before going rogue.

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Emily Carr
Emily Carr

Emily is a copywriter with over five years of experience in crafting content for the home renovation and remodeling industry. She loves house projects, whether it be painting a room or tweaking small design elements to transform a space. Her favorite aesthetic is french modern because of its clean lines and airy feeling! When not writing, Emily loves to travel and check out architectural details all over the world.

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