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Post by 60isolderthanithot on Dec 16, 2009 9:19:47 GMT -5
I bought a $10 bath mat from Walmart last year. I know that's not much but in my budget, it's enough to notice. In less than a year, with minimal washing, almost the entire rubberized back has peeled off, in pellets and flakes. I don't even dry it in the dryer, I let it air dry. My conclusion is that I bought a ratty bath mat which only looked decent because it had high pile. Even the color washed out within a few washes.
Is there something I can do to repair this thing or get a better one that won't die in a few months? I have tile floors in the bath, a rug is needed for both warmth and safety - a damp, slick floor practically begs you to slip and fall!
Can I just glue some of that non-skid bumpy shelf liner to the bottom of this thing? Would that work? What else can I use?
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Post by brightbeginning on Dec 16, 2009 9:28:01 GMT -5
I have ALWAYS had this problem with bath mats-every time I washed them, they fell apart and never looked the same again. So this is what I do now-I buy cheap, matching bath mats that are durable, but when they look too ratty, I throw them away and buy another cheap one. I NEVER wash them anymore. It's the only alternative for me. I keep a really nice one in the closet for when someone comes over-then I put it out just for that! :-)
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Post by AnnieOkie on Dec 16, 2009 9:35:44 GMT -5
60-I know this sounds really crazy, but thought I would mention it! I was trying to figure out a way to keep my bra straps from slipping a while back. I thought if I put a strip of hot glue on the inside of the straps and let it dry, it might stop them from slipping. I never tried it, but this might be an option to try for your mat. Just lay out several strips of hot glue on the back, let them dry and see if it helps to keep it from slipping. If you have a hot glue gun, that is....Good luck!
That liquid silicone stuff might work, too.....but then again it might be just as expensive as buying a new mat.
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Post by JessicaMessica on Dec 16, 2009 9:53:54 GMT -5
They actually make rug holders! They look like the bumpy shelf liner you were talking about, but on a bigger scale. www.bedbathstore.com/ulstoprugpad.htmlkind of like that. I think you can get them at wal mart and the like.  |
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Post by 60isolderthanithot on Dec 16, 2009 10:25:55 GMT -5
Hot glue? I saw a hot glue gun at the 99¢ store. That's cheaper than buying some high tech glue spray to attach shelf liner.
Does hot glue hold up to washing in cold water?
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on Dec 16, 2009 10:58:38 GMT -5
Don't know about the hot glue, but I'd get the bumpy shelf liner. I found mine at the dollar store. Throw a cheap towel on top, and you're good to go.
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Post by DJ on Dec 16, 2009 12:27:26 GMT -5
i buy cheap bath mats without a rubber backing... nothing to fall apart in the wash... they're about as sturdy as a towel. people think i'm nuts having so much white with all the animals.. it's really the only way for me to go though, white can get cleaned, bleached, soaked, scrubbed... what's gonna do? fade?  white, utilitarian inexpensive is the way for me.. after i shower i hang them over the shower rod to dry.... |
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Post by limegreen on Dec 16, 2009 19:50:29 GMT -5
We just throw down the hand towel, use that as the bathmat, replace hand towel with fresh one and the next person to shower will use that, and put out a fresh one, thus the hand towels are changed regularly, and the bathmat problem is solved.
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Post by Chris on Dec 16, 2009 20:31:19 GMT -5
It is comforting to know I'm not the only one who has this problem. It used to be much worse because I had to bathe my fatherinlaw and he was incontinent -- we had to have 2 bath mats and I had to wash them almost every time after he had a shower. I also hung them to dry rather than put them in the dryer. Every 6 months they were ruined and I had to start again.
Now I'm getting more mileage out of them but oh how I hate to buy a new one. It crimps my budget so badly. I just got a nice one at Walmart for $15.50 with birthday/Christmas gift money that was given to me. I hope it lasts but I will remember some of these ideas if the backing gets ikky. We have vinyl tiles, they are cold and can be slippery too.
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Post by StuffNoMore on Dec 16, 2009 20:35:35 GMT -5
I have ceramic tile floors in all my bathrooms and I just use the bath mats that look like a heavy towel. I still have the same one I bought in 1992 and it looks brand new. I got another one so I'd have it when I wash the other. After I use it I just hang it over the bar on the shower door to dry then toss it in with the towels when I do laundry. I don't have any problem with them moving when I stand on them. No backing and no worries of the coming apart. SNM |
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Post by Chris on Dec 17, 2009 14:17:20 GMT -5
SNM - those sound nice where do you buy them? Or is there a brand name? |
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Post by AnnieOkie on Dec 17, 2009 15:11:17 GMT -5
Hot glue? I saw a hot glue gun at the 99¢ store. That's cheaper than buying some high tech glue spray to attach shelf liner. Does hot glue hold up to washing in cold water? 60-My idea was just to apply the glue in strips to the back of the rug itself. When dry, it would act like a gripper on the floor....you know how hot glue is kind of tacky after it dries?? Wouldn't stick to the floor. I don't know how it would hold up to washing, but I think it would be worth a try. In our bathroom, I just use a towel folded over and laid on the floor. Just replace it often. |
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Post by puppybox on Dec 17, 2009 16:40:24 GMT -5
I vote for the bath mats without rubber. they are like towels but not fluffy, flat. then jsut wash with the towels. works for me. I use my mothers old ones, they usualyl last at least 10-15 years.
they don't slip. there is no need for rubber backing (I don't think. )
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Post by mellowyellow on Dec 17, 2009 17:46:34 GMT -5
They say the heat and wringing of the washer and dryer damages the rubber backing of those kinds of rugs. So they recommend you wash by hand, or only use cold water in a delicate cycle. And then take them out immediately and line dry them, or fling them over the shower rod. I was curious, so I went on Youtube.. I found this really cool idea for making a rug out of clean, old towels. Usually the crafts ideas I find look interesting but are way too complicated or "precious" for me to have the patience to make. This rug looks like something that I would actually want to do, and the result looks great and very cuddly. Info: blog.ecologue.com/2009/05/21/crafty-recycling-cozy-chic-bathmat/Video: |
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Post by AnnieOkie on Dec 17, 2009 17:56:10 GMT -5
Mellow, that is a great idea!! A "rag rug" out of towel strips!! I'm sure it is machine washable, too!! Wow!
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