Washing rubber backed rugs/mats?
Question:The types of rubber backed rugs/mats that you might find in your bathroom (or we have one in front of our sink). Can I just stick them in the washing maching or are they too heavy and might break it?
Answers:
I usually place in the washing machine with regular detg, then dry in the dryer for about 10 minutes on low heat setting with a fabric softner sheet, then hang until dry.
If you are concerned about your washing machine, you can always go to a laundramat and use theirs. Some of their machines are heavy duty and you can wash several rugs at once.
You can wash them, try to put in even numbers, one on one side one on the other to keep the machine balanced during the washing and spinning. Then, DO NOT DRY IN THE DRYER! Hang to dry outside or in the laundry room. Don't use bleach on them as this will eat the rubber. Drying in the dryer will dry out the rubber backing and make it flake all over your floor!
I have washed mine before and they are fine. I would suggest using the delicate cycle thought. When I have accidently used the regular cycle it pulls some of the fabric off the front. I don't put mine in the dryer though. It's best to hang dry.
I would not wash these in my own machine because they come apart and plug the washing machine pump up and then if you do not have the ability to fix this you will need a repair man to do it for you take them to a laundry mat these heavy duty machines can do the job and at someone elses expence.
You can put them in the washer, delicate cycle is recommended. You can use regular detergent but no bleach as this eats away at the rubber backing. I also would not recommend using fabric softener as this makes most fabrics water resistant (the point of a your floor mat is to soak up water, I assume) and extends drying time. Do not put rubber backed mats in the dryer as this dries out the rubber and causes breakage and flaking, even on low heat. Hang them up to dry. I suggest hanging them to dry INSIDE as direct sunlight can bleach out the color of darker mats. If you hang them to dry outside under direct sunlight, hang them fabric side up as direct sunlight can also cause the rubber to dry and flake. (This may not be true for your state, I live in Las Vegas where we're averaging 115 degrees right now during the day, if you live in a cooler state this may not apply.)
Hope this helps!
I wash mine all the time.cold water and low heat in the dryer. Over time, the rubber will start breaking down but it takes a while.
I just did mine today.
I used warm water, laundry detergent and a tiny bit of bleach.
They are air drying now.
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