Sorry about the boring question but this is becoming and expensive problem for me. every month I have to replace my bath mats because they get covered with mold or mildew or something. Mostly starts around the little suction cups on the bottom and I try to scrub it off or soak it something containing bleach but that can't be safe right? One of my kids already has really sensitive skin. Anyhow these bath mats are not cheap they are like 12 or 15 at Walmart. That is a lot. Is this something that is normal? Or what is going on? I even started hanging the new against the wall with the suction cups to let it dry between uses but it is gross again and I don't want to let them take a bath tonight with out one in there. has anyone ever tried those individual circle traction thingies that go on the bottom of the tub they are about 6'' diameter and I think you get six of them for like 5 dollars.
It's just one of those things you don't "need" so don't worry about it. Little kids should always sit in the tub, once they are able to stand and shower on their own they are just like you. I mean, YOU don't need a mat to keep from falling, right? :)
Do you really need the bath mat?
Sorry if I sound dense... but, what does using a bath mat, have to do with your child's sensitive skin????
Bath mats, are Latex or some other rubber. For some that creates an allergic reaction.
Does your child sit ON the bath mat, while in the tub???
And can't just sit in the tub, itself?
Just use a towel for him/her to sit on.
Anyway, for your bath mats, REALLY rinse it out after each use, very well. Because, any soap foam and slime or whatnot that is still there via residue, will also create, mildew on it.
THEN, HANG UP the bath mat.... like hanging laundry, to dry it completely.
Keeping it outside, the bathtub or enclosure. Because, leaving it in there, it will have perpetual moisture and not completely dry out.
Do not hang it up against the wall... there is no air circulation there and it will still be moist and not dry completely.
Ya gotta hang it OUTSIDE in the air. In the sun.
With freely circulating air on both sides of it.
We had this same problem! So we threw out the bath mat and we got the non slip sticker pieces you put on your tub floor. They don't move or get dirty with regular cleaning of the tub. They are soo much better and cheaper! You only have to buy them once, only need one package and its only like $3 at any store.
Im so glad we got these instead.
I use a floor towel. Trying going online to a store like Bed, Bath and Beyond......it's the same exact material as a bath towel that you would use on your body but it looks like a carpet and I lay it right where my bath mat used to go. I hang it over the tub when I'm done so that it can dry until I use it the next time. I just throw it in the wash with my towels once a week.
i'm not sure i'm thinking of the right thing, but if you dilute the bleach a bit with water you might be able to spray it down in between uses, can you hang it over a towel bar or something so the suctions aren't sticking to anything when it dries??
We have the oldfashioned no-slip grids in the tub, Big white hibiscous looking flowers, but i know they have cute ducks and frogs and things
do you have a front loader? if so toss it in there with a bit of soap and bleach wash on hot and see if that helps. We have had ours for over 2 yrs and have yet had a problem with the mildew.
Soaking it in a bleachwater solution is just fine--as long as you rinse it thoroughly afterwards.
We don't use a bath mat at all. Out tub has a bit of texture on the bottom.
If you're using the suction cup ones, try rinsing it after every use and HANG it, suction cup side UP over the edge of the tub.
You know, you CAN scrub those with bleach & tide & a scrub brush to remove the mildew.
I don't use anything on the floor of the tub.
Most people don't use that kind of stuff anymore. The kids need to be taught to sit in the tub. If they are too little to understand that then you must not leave allow them to stand up at all. As soon as they start to stand take them out and start drying them off. That way they get the idea and don't get hurt.
If they are not standing while in the bath water they are find to not have one at all. I don't know anyone who even has those anymore because they were gross. If you insist on having one then when you take it out you need to spray it with Lysol of some other disinfecting spray that kills mold. It will dry in the air so it won't hurt them.
Personally I would rather not have any of that stuff in the water with the kids though.
I have found that bleach will destroy the mats in no time. I use cleansers with bleach regularly. It keeps the mold at bay, but wreaks havoc on the rubber. So yeah, I go through these mats fast too. About 1 every two months.
I have however, found you can get them for under $5 at Big Lots and Dollar stores. And Target sells a very basic but nice rubber mat for $6.99.
We don't use a mat. Is there a special reason your family needs one? I have 6, 3 and 2 year old and haven't had problems with slipping.
