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As crucial as bath mats are for keeping the floor clean and preventing slips, they don’t help much with that other common household hazard — mold. It’s little wonder that mold is a particularly persistent problem in moisture-rich bathroom environments. If yours is the type to handle a dozen showers a week or has issues like faulty ventilation, aiming for the ideal bathroom humidity level with simple habits is even more critical. And since the bath mat captures a ton of water as you step out of the shower, it’s both a mold magnet and a great starting point to stop unwanted stains and smells.

Proper maintenance is crucial to keep any bath mat looking and performing its best for as long as possible. Before you worry about that, though, the type of bath mat you choose can make a huge difference in the fight against microbes. Generally, some of the most important aspects we want for comfort, like a plush, warm texture, can also make the bath mat bad for mold. When it has a non-slip rubber bottom to trap moisture, it’s only going to fuel bacteria and mold growth further.

If you don’t hang your mat up with each use, it’ll only take a day or two for stains and smells to develop. It can take some extra effort, but with frequent upkeep, you won’t have to fret over what’s developing under foot. Or, you could take the easy route and simply pick a bath mat that won’t promote mold in the first place, making life a little less stressful.

Soft bath mats made of cotton, microfiber, and memory foam are a pleasure for the toes after stepping out of the shower. With ample absorbency, water can’t stray to more slippery surfaces, and the rubber bottom adds grip to keep it tidy and in place. The trade-off is this also creates moisture traps and a perfect environment for bacteria and mold to develop. A rubber bottom can be especially problematic with bath mats that go in the shower. Accumulated water underneath mixes with all the built-up soap scum, shed body oils and skin cells, and debris, giving microbes a comfortable home.

Whether it’s a rubber shower mat or a cotton bath mat sitting outside the tub, the simplest way to combat mold remains the same — hang it up after use. If it has a suction bottom, it can be easy to stick on a vertical tile surface to drain. Otherwise, hang it over the edge of the tub, or try a handy hanging hack to prevent mildew build-up on your bath mat.

Wash your bath mat at least once every one to two weeks. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, allowing the bath mat to dry thoroughly after washing it. If you can’t machine-dry it, hang the mat in a well-ventilated area or in the sun, if possible, to give it an all-natural refresh to remove musty laundry odors. Other than that, engage in responsible habits. Keep the humidity in check with proper ventilation, and clean the bathroom weekly to keep unnecessary nastiness from landing on the bath mat.

What you lose in plush comfort, you gain in sophistication and a lower susceptibility to mold when you choose a hard bath mat. Bamboo or teak bath mats are an attractive addition to the bathroom, supplying spa-like luxury to the space. Use them inside or outside the shower to take advantage of their low maintenance needs and quick drying capabilities. Many also come with lacquered finishes that repel water and reduce the chances of mold growth. Meanwhile, cork bath mats have a similarly stylish aesthetic in a cushier construction, with moisture-resistant and anti-microbial properties helping to prevent mold growth.

For an even better option if mold is a concern, you can opt for a diatomaceous earth bath mat, like the Veeloim Stone Bath Mat. While the stone surface isn’t as soft as a more traditional mat, its chic style and rapid absorbency more than make up for it. The surface can soak up an impressive amount in only a few minutes, making wet footprints disappear instantly. Mold and mildew subsequently lose any chance to take root. The modern looks are also easy to maintain, needing only an occasional scrubbing with soap and water or a light sanding to remove tough stains.