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Luxury Bath Mats: Cotton, Teak, In-Tub and Stone Mats Compared

Cotton tub mats, teak mats, suction in-tub mats and stone (diatomaceous earth) mats compared, with care, slip notes and the asbestos recalls on stone mats.

By the Luxury Bath editorial teamUpdated 3 min read7 sources

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Woven natural-fiber bath mat on a tiled floor beside a white freestanding bathtub, with slippers and a folded robe

The best bath mat depends on where it goes. Outside the tub, cotton is the soft option and teak drains. Inside the tub, a suction mat adds grip. Stone (diatomaceous earth) mats dry fast, but some sold in Japan and Taiwan were recalled in 2020 for asbestos, so check the brand before you buy.

A mat is also a safety item. A CDC study estimated 234,094 nonfatal bathroom injuries in US emergency rooms in 2008 among people 15 and older, and 81.1% were falls, most often in or around the tub or shower.

Bath mat materials compared

Mat Where it goes Grip Care Example from a maker
Cotton terry tub mat Outside the tub Depends on the backing and the floor Machine wash Parachute: 20 x 31 in, 700 GSM Turkish cotton
Cotton bath rug Outside the tub Often a non-slip backing Machine wash, per the label Many makers
Teak mat Outside the tub or in a shower Rubber feet or strips Clean, dry, re-oil Teakworks4u 36 x 30 in
Suction in-tub mat Inside the tub Suction cups Machine wash, air dry Gorilla Grip: 35 x 16 in
Stone (diatomaceous earth) Outside the tub Rigid slab Maker’s care only Check recalls first
Memory foam Outside the tub Depends on backing Per the label Many makers

Bath mats and rugs: cotton, teak, memory foam and stone

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Cotton tub mats

A cotton tub mat is the hotel choice: a thick terry mat that matches the towels. Parachute’s Classic tub mat is 20 by 31 inches in the same 700 GSM long-staple Turkish cotton as its towels, and it is machine washable. Check whether a terry mat has a non-slip backing before you lay it on smooth tile. The luxury towel guide explains GSM and Turkish cotton.

Teak bath mats

Teak mats drain through the gaps between their slats, so they suit a wet floor or a walk-in shower. Teakworks4u’s 36 x 30 inch mat has slats spaced at least 1/8 inch apart and stands on rubber feet, while its smaller mats use rubber strips. The maker’s care routine: check the mat each time you clean the bathroom, clean it when it looks worn, let it dry completely, then re-apply teak oil and wipe the excess off straight away to avoid a waxy finish.

In-tub suction mats

In-tub suction mats sit inside the tub for grip. Gorilla Grip’s 35 by 16 inch mat holds on with hundreds of suction cups. The maker lists three limits:

  • It only works on smooth, clean, non-textured, non-tiled surfaces.
  • It is not for newly refinished tubs or shower pans.
  • Bath oils may make it slip.

It is machine washable in cold water and should hang to air dry. If you use a shower oil or a bath oil, rinse the tub and the mat afterwards.

Stone bath mats and asbestos

In late 2020, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that some diatomaceous earth bath mats and coasters sold there contained asbestos, and Nitori Taiwan recalled nine types of mats and coasters. Guidance published by Inagi City in Tokyo says an intact mat poses no health risk in normal use, but that cutting or breaking one risks releasing asbestos, and it tells owners of affected mats to seal them in a plastic bag for collection. These recalls were issued in Japan and Taiwan, not by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Before buying a stone mat, search the brand on cpsc.gov, and never sand, cut or break one whose brand you cannot check.

Stone mats: how they work

A stone mat is a rigid slab made with diatomaceous earth that absorbs water from your feet and dries quickly. That speed is the appeal. The recall history above is the reason to buy one only from a brand you can identify and check.

Memory foam and luxury rugs

Memory foam mats feel soft underfoot. Check the backing for grip, and check whether the mat can go in the washing machine or needs hand washing. Treat any mat that stays damp as a mat to replace.

Towel sets with a matching tub mat

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The mat is the last step of the bath setup. A bathtub tray and bath pillow cover the tub itself, and the luxury bath at home overview links every part of the kit.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best material for a luxury bath mat?

It depends on where it goes. A heavy cotton tub mat, such as Parachute's 700 GSM Turkish cotton mat, is soft underfoot and goes in the wash. A teak mat drains through its slats and suits a shower or a wet floor. Suction mats go inside the tub for grip.

Are stone bath mats safe?

Check the brand first. In 2020, Japanese authorities announced that some diatomaceous earth bath mats contained asbestos, and Nitori Taiwan recalled nine types of mats and coasters. The advice from Japan was that intact mats pose no risk in normal use, but cutting or breaking one can release fibers. Search the brand on cpsc.gov before you buy.

Should you sand a diatomaceous earth bath mat?

Not one that could contain asbestos. The Japanese guidance on the recalled mats warns that cutting or breaking them risks releasing asbestos. Follow the maker's care instructions and do not sand, cut or break a mat whose brand you cannot check.

Can you use bath oil with an in-tub mat?

Be careful. Gorilla Grip warns that bath oils may cause its suction mat to slip. Rinse oil off the tub and the mat after the bath.

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