Do Bathtub Mats Damage Your Bathtub?

Bathtub mats are a common safety accessory in homes with senior citizens, children, or individuals with limited mobility.

While they may help prevent slips and promote bathtub safety for senior family members, they can also pose a hidden risk to the surface of your tub — especially if it has been refinished. Many homeowners also wonder: are bath mats sanitary?

In this article, we explore the potential damage caused by bath mats and what safer alternatives are available.

Are Bathtub Mats Safe for Your Tub?

Bathtub mats often come with suction cups or adhesive backing to keep them in place. Unfortunately, these features can cause long-term wear and tear on your tub’s surface.

How Bath Mats Cause Damage

• Suction cups can pull at the tub coating over time, eventually peeling or bubbling the surface.
• Adhesive-backed mats can leave behind residue that’s difficult to remove and may stain or degrade the finish.
• On resurfaced bathtubs, which are more delicate than factory finishes, the pressure and moisture trapped under mats can lead to early coating failure, discoloration, or texture changes.

Resurfaced Tub? Extra Caution Needed

If you’ve recently had your tub refinished, it’s especially important to avoid traditional bath mats. The fresh coating is more vulnerable to moisture buildup and mechanical stress caused by mats.

A Safer Alternative: Non-Slip Finish

The good news is that Seattle Bathtub Guy’s resurfacing process can include a non-slip finish that will be safer and less slippery than a normal bathtub finish on its own.

Benefits of a Non-Slip Coating:

• Built directly into the surface during refinishing
• Provides a safer surface without suction or glue
• Helps reduce risk of slips while preserving the tub finish
• Easier to clean and maintain than traditional mats

While it won’t be as effective as a bathtub mat, it’ll be safer for your bathtub surface in the long run and won’t do any further damage to your bathtub’s surface.

Keep Your Tub in Top Condition!

To schedule a bathtub repair or refinish, contact Seattle Bathtub Guy today. Our bathtub maintenance and restoration experts can restore your worn or damaged tub to a like-new condition.

And remember: if you accidentally chip or damage your tub after we’ve made our repairs, we’ll fix the first blemish for free!