Anti-Mould, Non-Slip Bath Mats for Kids: A Parent's Guide to Safer Bath Time

If you've ever lifted up your child's bath mat to find black spots of mould underneath, you're not alone. Lots of the parents who review our bath mat tell us they'd been through mat after mat before they found one that stayed clean. Here's our simple guide to choosing an anti-mould, non-slip bath mat for babies, toddlers and older kids, how to fit it so it really grips, and how to keep it fresh for years.

Why do bath mats go mouldy?

Mould loves warm, damp places that never fully dry out, and the underside of a bath mat is exactly that. Water and soapy residue get trapped between the mat and the bath, and inside the suction cups, so black spots can appear within weeks, even when the top looks clean.

Our anti-mould bath mat is made from antibacterial PVC that resists mould and mildew, and it dries quickly once it's out of the water. It's also free from lead, phthalates and BPA.

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What makes a bath mat properly non-slip?

A good non-slip mat does two jobs. The top needs a textured surface that little feet, knees and bottoms can grip, even with bubbles. The underneath needs lots of strong suction cups, so the mat itself doesn't slide around the bath.

Our kids' bath mat has been independently tested to British Standard BS 8445:2012 and classified as slip resistant (see the results below), so you're not just relying on a product claim. We've also added more suction cups than our previous model, and made it 13% larger, at 40 x 70cm, so it covers more of the bath and works in the shower too.

What is BS 8445:2012?

BS 8445:2012 is the British Standard for testing the slip resistance of bath and shower mats. It sets out exactly how a mat must be tested, then classifies it by how well it grips:

• Comfort mat: moderate slip potential
• Slip resistant mat: low slip potential, the higher of the two levels

The standard also checks the basics: that the mat is free from defects, flexible enough to lie flat in the bath without creating a trip hazard, big enough to stand on comfortably, and properly labelled.

How BS 8445 testing works

1. The mat is fitted, following its instructions, to a standard acrylic sheet, the same kind of smooth surface as most baths.
2. The surface is covered with a warm, soapy test solution at around 31°C, to copy real bath water.
3. A trained tester stands on the mat while the platform is slowly tilted, like a ramp getting steeper and steeper.
4. The angle at which they start to slip is called the angle of insecurity. Two testers each repeat the test five times.
5. An angle of 14° to 19° classifies the mat as a comfort mat. 20° or more classifies it as slip resistant.

Our bath mat's results

We sent our 40 x 70cm kids' bath mat to SATRA Technology Centre, an independent testing lab in Kettering, to be tested to BS 8445:2012. It passed, and was classified as a slip resistant mat, the top level in the standard.

In all 10 tests the platform tilted to around 26° without the mat slipping, and the testers stopped each time for their own safety. That's well beyond the 20° needed. All 112 suction cups were still undamaged after testing, and the mat also passed the standard's checks for general requirements, product marking, labelling and packaging.

Moving from the baby bath to the big bath

Once your baby can sit up confidently, the big bath is a whole new world of splashing, and a whole new set of slips. A non-slip mat gives them a steady base to sit, crawl and stand on, and gives you a little more peace of mind while you wash them.

A bath mat is there to help, not to replace you. Always stay with your child in the bath, keep the water shallow and check the temperature before they get in.

How to fit a bath mat so it really grips

1. Rinse the new mat before its first use.
2. Wet the bottom of the bath, then lay the mat down suction cups first.
3. Press firmly all over, so every suction cup grips the bath.
4. As the bath fills, press down again carefully to make sure it's secure.
5. Give it a tug before your child gets in. If it doesn't fully grip, don't use it.

Suction mats need a smooth surface, so they aren't suitable for baths or shower trays with a textured or anti-slip finish.

How to keep a bath mat mould-free

• 💧 Rinse after every bathA quick rinse washes off soap and bubbles before they build up.
• 🌬️ Let it dryLift it out of the bath and let it dry naturally. Hanging it up, or sticking it to the tiles, lets air get to the suction cups.
• 🧽 Clean it weeklyClean it once a week with a mild bathroom cleaner, and give the bath underneath a clean too, to stop slippery build-up.
• 🚫 Skip the harsh stuffDon't use bleach, solvents, Method Bathroom Cleaner, or anything that says it's not suitable for lino.

FROM OUR CUSTOMERS

★★★★★

"Having a child with additional needs it can be really tricky to bath them, but knowing we have a bathmat that is very secure and doesn't move, bright and colourful and engaging! Really easy to clean (weekly)…"

Laura J., verified customer

Five designs to make bath time fun

A bath mat they love looking at turns bath time into a game of spot-the-digger or count-the-fish. Choose from Dinky Dinos, Diggers & Lorries, Fabulous Fairies, Friendly Fish and Farmyard Family. Each one rolls up to just 8 x 8 x 40cm, so it's easy to pack for holidays or leave one at the grandparents'.

Complete your bath time

A hooded poncho towel that absorbs up to four times more water than a standard towel, in matching prints.

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A super absorbent hair wrap that stays put with a button fastening, for kids and grown-ups.

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A hanging wash bag that unfolds into an organiser, to keep bath toys and toiletries tidy.

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