Downsides To The Stone Bath Mats That Are Trending For Bathrooms

Stone bath mats are making waves in the bathroom these days — and for good reason. They're antimicrobial (which can't be said for regular bath mats). They don't smell or get moldy like their plush cousins, and neither do they require constant washing. Really, all it takes is a quick rinse and a scrub every now and then to clean your bath mat at home. But above all else, a stone mat can drink up wet footprints in a flash yet dries equally fast. What's not to love? A few things, actually. Let's just say that quality comes at a price. Plus, the odds of you shattering your mat are pretty high if you're the clumsy type.

For the unfamiliar, a stone bath mat basically looks like a thin stone slab. But it's not just made from any stone, though. Diatomaceous earth — or more specifically, finely crushed plankton fossils — is the powerhouse behind the mat's effectiveness. Not only is this material highly porous, but it's also eco-friendly and can handle up to five years of use when turned into floor coverings. Sounds great, right? If only this chic, trendy shower mat that elevates the bathroom didn't come with its own set of flaws.

Drawback number one: Stone bath mats are quite brittle. You would think they'd be hard as a rock, but nope. A drop on the floor can cause the piece to crack, chip, or shatter if enough force hits it. This is all to say that you'll need to handle the stone with care, even with a high-quality product like the Dorai Home Stone Bath Mat. It's also important to point out that some cheap, lower-grade stone mats contain asbestos, a harmful mineral with serious health effects. Avoid these at all costs and choose something that's been tested and 100% non-toxic, instead, if you decide to buy one.

That brings us to the next downside — pricing. A quick search online will pull up thousands of fabric bath mats under $10, whereas their stone equivalents run mostly in the $40 to $100 range, at the time of writing. Luckily, you can get a chic stone bath for less with a simple DIY if you're up for the task. Note: These types of mats aren't suitable for marble floors since marble is porous, and in turn, can get stained from the moisture of the mat.

This next point might sound obvious, but stone bath mats feel harder underfoot. Moreover, they're cooler to the touch, which isn't exactly ideal during freezing temps. In this case, it might be worth splurging on a stone mat that can adapt to the room's temperature. Oh, and lastly, there's really not a lot of variety in terms of design options. This could be a dealbreaker if your decorating style leans more colorful.