Can you put a shower mat in the washing machine?

Yes. Use warm water, gentle cycle, with old towels. Add baking soda and vinegar. Hang to dry -- never machine dry rubber mats.

How do you prevent mold on a shower mat?

Hang it up to dry after every shower. Spray with vinegar weekly. Machine wash every 1-2 weeks.

On white rubber or vinyl mats, yes. Avoid bleach on colored mats. Vinegar is a safer alternative that kills mold effectively.

Replace when suction cups no longer hold, mold will not wash out, or the material starts degrading.

Bathroom

Your shower mat is one of the most-used surfaces in your home. Here's how to get it spotless and keep it that way.

1
Pre-treat visible mold
Spray any visible mold or mildew spots with undiluted white vinegar. Let sit for 15-30 minutes before washing.
2
Machine wash on warm
Place the shower mat in the washing machine with 2 old towels for scrubbing action. Add detergent and half a cup of baking soda.
3
Add vinegar to the rinse
Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to kill remaining mold spores and remove odor.
4
Hang to air dry
Hang the mat over a shower rod, railing, or clothesline to dry completely. Do not put rubber or suction cup mats in the dryer.

TIPHang the shower mat after every shower to let it air dry -- this single habit prevents almost all mold growth.
TIPWash shower mats every 1-2 weeks to prevent mold and bacteria buildup on the suction cups.
TIPReplace shower mats every 6-12 months, or sooner if suction cups no longer grip or mold will not wash out.

XLeaving the mat flat on the tub floor between uses, which traps moisture underneath and breeds mold rapidly.
XMachine drying rubber mats, which warps and melts the rubber, destroying the suction cups.
XIgnoring the underside, where mold and mildew grow between the suction cups.

Every 1-2 weeks. Hang to dry after every shower. Replace if mold will not wash out after cleaning.