Shower mat

A Shower mat ensures safety in personal hygiene. Correctly laid out in the bath or shower tray, it reduces the risk of accidents by preventing slipping on a smooth, damp surface. It is available in a wide variety of colors and shapes in many stores.

What is a shower mat?

A shower mat is a flat insert made of plastic or wood that is placed in the bath or shower tray before showering. It is also known by the term Shower insert.

The plastic version is flexible in order to ideally adapt to the shape of the surface. The surface is roughened by small bumps in the material. On the bottom it has suction cups in different numbers, depending on the model. These are made of the same material as the insert itself.

Most plastic shower mats have drainage holes. The rectangular ones are up to 95 cm long and up to 38 cm wide. The square ones have a length or a width of up to 54 cm. The suction cups have a diameter of approx. 50 to 150 mm.

The wooden mat must be made to fit the tub exactly. It is equipped with slots instead of round holes for the water to run off. Their surface is sealed waterproof.

Shapes, types & types

A shower mat is either made of natural rubber, rubber, polyvinyl chloride or wood. Shower mats in the classic rectangular or square shape made of plastic are widespread. The choice of colors is very large. They can be both opaque and transparent.

A mat with a pebble look consists of rounded components that adhere to one another and have different shapes. Viewed from above, this is reminiscent of many pebbles lying next to each other. The choice of colors ranges from transparent to black.

Mixed colors or models with different patterns are also available. The model in Luffa design consists of sponge-like PVC fibers and thus has a very rough surface. There is no drainage hole in it as the water can flow through the porous material. There are also shower mats that are modeled on the shapes of animals or flowers. Plastic shower liners are available in online shops, sanitary specialist stores and hardware stores.

A wooden mat is largely left in its natural state. A protective glaze prevents the wood from swelling due to contact with water. Due to the nature of the natural material, the surface is also slightly roughened here. A wooden mat is available from specialist dealers.

Structure & functionality

The foot of the showerer finds a secure hold on the rough top of the plastic mat, even if it is damp. Due to the small bumps in the material, the skin has enough grip. There are numerous suction cups on the underside, which prevent the insert from slipping in the tub by creating a vacuum.

The mat is first unrolled or folded, then spread out in the tub and smoothed out. It is pressed against the ground with gentle pressure. It is important that she has adhered all of the suction cups to the floor before beginning the shower process.

The mat is usually provided with an arrangement depending on the model (grid-shaped, offset or individual) with holes so that the water can run off unhindered while showering. This prevents too much moisture from collecting on the surface of the mat and thereby increasing the risk of slipping again.

Some, very rough, models have only one or no hole. The wooden mat naturally offers the foot enough traction. It is simply placed in the tub with the top facing up.

Medical & health benefits

Home remedies ↵ for athlete's foot When getting in and out, the foot has a secure hold on the rough surface of the insert. This reduces the risk of accidents and prevents injuries. The plastic insert remains firmly in place thanks to the suction cups attached to the floor where it was pressed.

A shower insert is hygienic. It can reduce the risk of athlete's foot and other diseases being transmitted. In order to avoid the formation or spread of mold, bacteria and fungi, the mat should be able to dry completely as often as possible.

It is recommended to hang up or set up the wet insert to dry after use. With the plastic variant, this is best done by pressing it flat on the tiled wall with the suction cups. It can also be hung over the edge of the bathtub, the shower wall or a bathtub dryer. It should not be dried on the heater as this is harmful to the material. Some models can be machine washed at 40 ° C. A brush and lukewarm water with a splash of dishwashing detergent are suitable for manual cleaning. The wooden mat can be placed vertically in the shower tray so that the water that adheres to it can run off.

There are also models with nubs for a foot massage. That relaxes and invigorates. This also stimulates the foot reflex zones. In this way, the shower mat can ensure well-being throughout the body. An insert equipped with brushes cleans the soles of the feet thoroughly. This gently removes dirt particles from the fine grooves of the skin.