Doctor reveals implications from not cleaning bathroom item

Although your bath mat may not seem like a priority, it has actually been found to harbour even more bacteria than a toilet seat!

You may be shocked to find out that almost 1 million Brits(845,000) have NEVER washed their bath mat and a further 6.29 million Brits go 2 Months or longer before washing their bath mat! 

Key Findings:

• 1.25% of respondents have NEVER washed their bath mat, equating to 845,000 people 

• 10.68 million Brits (15.78%) only wash their bath mat if they have guests visiting

• Plymouth, Edinburgh and Brighton residents are most likely to go the longest without washing their bath mat

• Divorced individuals are the most likely to let their mats fester for a shocking 3-5 months before washing, with 5.43% owning up to it - equivalent to 3.67 million Brits

The cities going the longest before washing their bath mats:

City	Percentage of people washing their bath mats every 1-2 months or longer
Plymouth	35.85%
Edinburgh	25.64%
Brighton	25.00%
London	22.74%
Bristol	22.68%
Nottingham	21.78%
Newcastle	21.62%
Southampton	21.18%
Manchester	20.24%
Leeds	20.18%
Norwich	19.44%
Birmingham	18.32%
Sheffield	17.95%
Cardiff	17.39%
Glasgow	15.22%
Belfast	14.29%
Liverpool	9.41%

Shower enclosures retailer Showers to You can reveal that those in Plymouth and Edinburgh are most likely to go the longest without washing their bathroom mat, with over 35% and 25% from both cities admitting to only washing their mats once a month or longer. 

This is despite the fact that bath mats have been found to harbour even more bacteria than a toilet seat. In a recent study, bath mats had the highest bacterial count of all items tested. Gram-positive rods dominated these flooring coverings, accounting for 85% of their total 31.7 million colony forming units (CFUs).1

However, it’s not all bad news for the nation’s bathroom hygiene, with almost one in four (24%) stating that they wash their bath mat once a week, which is the recommended amount. Liverpool is the most hygienic city and washing their bath mats the most, with just 9.41% washing their mat once a month or more.

Dr. Sham Singh, health expert from Winit Clinic, comments on the research:

“The daily moistening of bathroom mats serves as a perfect medium for breeding bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as fungi like Trichophyton which can also cause athlete's foot (tinea pedis). A person who steps onto a contaminated mat after just a small cut or scrape on the skin is highly susceptible to infections such as cellulitis and fungal overgrowth. 

From a hygiene as well as health perspective, bathroom mats should preferably be washed weekly, and of course this is even more important if the mat is damp for long periods. Rubber-backed mats can retain moisture even longer, and therefore increase this risk. Ideally, hot water(about 60ºC or more) coupled with disinfecting detergent should kill bacteria and fungal spores. Besides cleaning frequency, well-ventilated bathrooms also reduce bacterial and fungal colonies as they dry the mats quickly.”

Visual cleanliness is the most common factor that causes people to wash their bathroom mats (39%), followed by time elapsed since the last wash (24.5%) and number of uses (22.7%). Worryingly, 15.8% of respondents only wash their bath mat when they have guest visits, that’s equivalent to 10.68 million UK residents. 

Shockingly, the study found that 1 in 6 Brits (15.1%) are not concerned by bacteria or hygiene-related issues stemming from not washing their bathroom mats, despite the high level of bacteria prevalent compared to other bathroom items. 

Interestingly, 1 in 4 of those aged between 45-54 (25%) go one month or more without washing their bathroom mat, compared to 1 in 6 (15%) of those aged 25-34. As for men, 1.75% have NEVER washed their bath mat - that’s equivalent to 1.2 millionmen, compared to 0.78% of females never washing their mat (equivalent to just over half a million). 

The survey found that almost 1 in 3 (29.5%) of those that are divorced go one month or more without washing their mat, compared to just over 1 in 6 of those in a relationship (17.6%). Divorced individuals are also the most likely to let their mats fester for a shocking 3-5 months, with 5.43% owning up to it—equivalent to 3.67 million Brits. 

This suggests that those who are divorced may be more likely to neglect their cleaning routines, potentially due to a lack of accountability, motivation, or household standards compared to those in a relationship.

Martin Smith, founder of shower enclosures retailer Showers to You, shared their thoughts on the findings:

“Although fabric bath mats may not look dirty, they are secretly one of the most bacteria-ridden items in your home. Constantly absorbing moisture, they become a magnet for dead skin, hair, dust, dirt, bacteria, and even fecal particles. This creates the perfect breeding ground for fungi and yeast, increasing the risk of infections like athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and respiratory issues triggered by mold lurking in your bathroom.

Shockingly, our survey found that 10.84% of UK residents don’t own a bath mat at all. This isn’t just an oversight—it’s a serious hygiene and safety concern. Without a bath mat to soak up excess water, moisture seeps into floors, leading to mold, mildew, and even structural water damage over time. The result? A damp, bacteria-filled environment that puts both your health and your home at risk.”

Dr. Sham Singh reveals more:

“Hygienic neglect of a bathroom mat can further lead to shoe odor-accompanied symptoms that include persistent dermatological medical problems, such as the plantar warts caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV) that thrive in warm, moist environments. In cases of shared accommodation, concerns grow drastically because multiple occupants share the bathroom. Besides putting on slippers inside the bathroom and washing feet thoroughly, preventive measures can also reduce the probability of direct exposure to contaminants.”

Photo credit: New Africa / Shutterstock.com

For more information, visit https://www.showerstoyou.co.uk/shower-enclosuresdoors/