If you've ever battled stubborn black mould on the bottom of your bath or shower mat, you're not alone. These essential bathroom accessories, with their dozens of suction cups, are notorious for trapping moisture and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
The Mouldy Bath Mat Dilemma
Out of all the items in your bathroom that require regular cleaning, the bath mat is arguably the most challenging to maintain. The very design that keeps it safely stuck to your tub floor—its array of suction cups—is also its downfall. These cups trap water and moisture long after you've finished your shower, creating the perfect environment for mould and bacteria to flourish.
Even if you meticulously dry each suction cup every time you move the mat, persistent spot mould can still appear. For many, the first reaction upon seeing this grime is to simply throw the mat away and purchase a new one, contributing to waste and unnecessary expense.
The Professional Cleaner's Secret Weapon
While many people might reach for a vinegar spray or bleach to tackle the problem, this often leads to lengthy, laborious scrubbing sessions with mixed results. However, a professional cleaner and housekeeper has revealed a fool proof method that requires minimal effort and uses an appliance you already own.
Christie from Hull, who shares cleaning advice on TikTok under the username @christiesvillage, demonstrated this clever hack in a video. Her solution? The humble washing machine.
In the video, Christie explains her no-nonsense approach: "As a housekeeper/cleaner, I'm not going to spend time scrubbing these when you can put it in a quick wash with no detergent and have them all fresh again." She even offers to do it for clients, adding, "Hell with your permission, I'll put them on a quick cycle in your machine whilst I'm there - but I'm not cleaning them by hand."
The video, posted around November 25, 2025, shows her placing a transparent bath mat decorated with bees into the washing machine and setting it for a swift 20-minute cycle. Her pragmatic final thought? "If your 20 year bath mat doesn't survive it wasn't meant to be."
Viewers Are Amazed by the Simple Solution
The reaction to Christie's video was one of widespread surprise and gratitude. Many viewers expressed disbelief that they had never considered this straightforward method.
One commenter exclaimed, "You can put them in the washing machine?!" This sentiment was echoed by others who shared their own relief. Another person replied, revealing their own method: "I usually wash them with a milton sterilising tablet. They come up new."
A second viewer commented, "Well why didn't I think of this? I've been scrubbing and getting a new one every couple of months." A third simply stated, "I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't think of this," highlighting how this simple yet effective cleaning hack had eluded so many.
This professional tip not only saves time and effort but also helps reduce household waste, proving that sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones.
