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Stone bath mat review: This stone bath mat is quick-drying, slip-resistant and great-looking
There is almost nothing that gives me the icks more than a fabric bath mat. It is one of the most neglected items in a bathroom, leaving it vulnerable to mold and mildew. It's not only a breeding ground for bacteria and awful smells, but when it's soggy, it's incredibly unpleasant to step on. If your feelings towards a bath mat are similar, you'll be happy to know I've found an incredible solution: a stone bath mat.
Pros:
Super absorbent, easy to clean, sleek design, quick-drying, no odors, slip-resistant, chemical-free and eco-friendly
Cons:
It's not soft and plush, limited sizing and colors, a specific design aesthetic
Verdict:
If a bath mat has ever grossed you out or you have real safety concerns about slipping after a shower, a stone bath mat is your single best solution. It is quick-drying, easy to clean and safe to step on with wet feet. The mat is designed specifically to absorb water quickly and pull moisture right off your feet so the first step onto the tile floor is safe and dry. Plus, it's incredibly low-maintenance to keep clean and high-quality. A win-win!
The Sutera stone mat that I tested is made of Diatomaceous Earth, a naturally occurring sedimentary rock that is ground into a fine powder and used in a number of products, including non-pesticide pest controls. It is ultra-compact and makes for an incredibly absorbent surface, which was more than apparent from the moment I stepped my first wet foot on it.
I immediately felt the moisture being pulled away from my skin and I watched my footprints evaporate from the stone as I stood there wrapping my towel around my body. This is maybe my favorite feature of a stone bath mat: knowing that the very first step off the stone mat and onto the tile floor will not be slippery is key as I have two small children, and bath time can be chaos.
Key Considerations
I used this stone bath mat for a full month, as did my husband and two small children. When measuring the pros and cons, there were several key considerations I kept in mind to help determine whether this one was worth the hype — safety, quick-drying, maintenance, durability, eco-friendliness, aesthetics and price.
One of my primary factors was safety, which I measured by how well this mat absorbs water. A mat made from Diatomaceous Earth is typically known for its exceptional absorbency, rapidly soaking up moisture, keeping your feet dry and your bathroom floor free from water puddles.
That brings me to quick-drying. It was important for me to have a mat that wouldn't stay wet for long. Not only because we have one bathroom and four people using it, but it also prevents the growth of mold and mildew, as well as unwanted odors. This means there is one less feature in the bathroom I need to clean. I would typically toss a fabric bath mat into my washing machine twice a month (if not more!), but this stone-type bath mat requires virtually no upkeep. It does come with a small sanding tool (really just a few pieces of sandpaper) meant for use on buffing any nix or scratches out of the mat.
The wear and tear has been virtually unnoticeable in the more than a month's time that we've had it. It looks and feels as good as the day I took it out of the box. Because it is so durable, it will outlast fabric mats that need more frequent replacing, and because it's made of natural materials, it is considered a more eco-friendly choice.
Never step onto a soggy bath mat again with this diatomaceous earth shower mat that is super absorbent and quick drying.
But that does bring me to a few negatives: the price and limited design choices. The Sutera stone mat typically retails for $60, which is a bit more than we're used to, but because of the durability, it will last much longer than your fabric mats, making it a more cost-effective choice. And finally, the stone look is a very specific design choice and if you're looking for your bath mat to bring some color or pizazz to your bathroom, this stone bath mat will not give you that.
What it will give you is safety, security, a cleaner environment and a simple, yet very cool, conversation piece in your bathroom that your guests will surely Ooh and Ahh over.
