Top 7 Non-Slip Bath Mats for Seniors — An Detailed Analysis
Finding the best non-slip bath mat for elderly citizens is not an easy task. To make it slightly easier for you to decide on a product, we have looked at customer reviews, surveys and forums, as well as the sales figures of some of the most critically acclaimed options currently available for sale. Our research shows that the Gorilla Grip Original is a quality alternative you need to keep in mind. It is antibacterial, it hasn’t been crafted using any toxic substances, and it comes with an impressive number of suction cups, so it will rest in place. Besides, it can be cleaned conveniently and effectively, since all you have to do is put it in the washer along with other items. Should the Gorilla Grip Original no longer be in stock, we suggest you have a look at the Tike Smart Extra-Long as it offers similar benefits.
Comparison table
1st Choice
Measuring 35 by 16 inches, the non-slip bath mat is perfect for the area in front of your bathtub. This item features over 300 suction cups on the bottom which offer increased safety. It can be used not only in the house, but also in spas, gyms, and even in hospitals. This product is antibacterial and resistant to mildew, and it isn’t made from any harmful materials.
If the suction cups are not firmly set on the bathtub, the mat might slide, which may lead to a hazardous experience.
This is a quality non-slip mat, perfect for any bath, shower, or tub.
2nd Best
This mat comes in both a medium and an extra-long size so that you can get the one which is most suitable for your needs. The item is equipped with 200 suction cups that prevent any slips from happening. It also has 174 drainage holes. Made from vinyl, this product does not contain phthalates or BPA, and it is perfectly safe to use. Also, the material is antimicrobial.
If your tub has a bumpy texture on its bottom, the suction cups will not stick, as some owners noticed. In such cases, better use it on the floor.
A great choice for avoiding slipping in the tub or shower, especially for seniors.
Also To Consider
A budget-friendly non-slip mat is a good option, especially if it is safe and gets the job done. This product, made from PVC does not pose any threat to your health as it does not contain any harmful materials. The suction cups ensure that both you and the mat stay in place during or after each shower, eliminating any possibility of any accidents occurring.
Some owners mentioned that they would have liked the mat a size bigger to cover the entire bottom of their tubs, but are otherwise pleased with it.
The clear design of this mat matches the interior decor of any bathroom.
7 Best Non-Slip Bath Mats for Elderly (Reviews) in 2024
Since we cannot choose the right type of mat for you, we came up with a selection you might enjoy browsing through. We suggest checking out some of our other articles, too, such as those we’ve written on walking canes for seniors or the guide we created on senior walkers.
1. Gorilla Grip Original Patented Bath Shower Tub Mat
It’s often that cheap non-slip bath mats for the elderly aren’t as good at doing what they are supposed to, but that’s definitely not the case with this product. The unit measures 35 by 16 inches and that should be more than enough for the area one might have in front of the bathtub, for example.
The best thing about the Gorilla Grip alternative is that it has been equipped with more than 300 suction cups on the bottom. What this means is that it is a winner when it comes to safety. It can be used at home, at the gym, or in spas, as well as hospitals.
Other features you might want to know about this product is that it hasn’t been created with the use of any phthalates, latex, BPA, or anything else that might affect the health of the users. It is both antibacterial and resistant to mildew, and a significant advantage is that it can be cleaned in the washer.
Buy from Amazon.com
2. Tike Smart Machine-Washable Superior Extra-Long Non-Slip
If you place this mat in the bathtub, you’ll be able to rest assured that nothing will go wrong whether it’s you who’s taking the shower or an elderly person. The mat can be purchased in a medium or an extra-long size, so make sure to choose the one that best suits the tub you have in your bathroom.
Since it costs a bit less compared to other products in the same line, it is expected to be cheaply made. That’s not the case, though, but there is one mention that has to be made in relation to this unit. It has 200 suction cups on the bottom instead of over 300 as other models do.
It’s made of vinyl and it doesn’t contain any traces of phthalates or BPA, so it is perfectly safe to use. The material is antimicrobial, but you can clean it thoroughly following every shower. The surface on the top is textured and it boasts as many as 174 drainage holes.
Buy from Amazon.com
3. Utopia Home Bath Mat with Anti-Slip Rubber Suction Cups
Utopia Home’s alternative is another safe option that you should jot down on your list, especially if you’re looking for a budget-friendly mat that gets the job done with almost no effort on your behalf.
Some might say that this product is a great choice for those who work in hospitals because it will not slide or shift when the patient steps on or off.
The unit is made out of PVC material, so it doesn’t contain any latex or other components that might endanger the health of those using it. The suction cups boasted by this alternative can ensure that the shower will go exactly as planned, thus eliminating the risk of any accident occurring.
The clear design of this product makes it a good option for those who want it to fit the interior design of their bathroom. Like others, this mat can be cleaned using a traditional washer.
Buy from Amazon.com
4. Vive Shower Mat – Non Slip Large Square Bath Mat for Bathtub
The VIVE unit is a bit unique when compared to some of the others we have described in this selection. Let’s see why. For one, it should be used over the drain hole of the shower, so it is better suited for large bathtubs or shower stalls.
Its square design makes it easy to put on and take off the drainage hole. The drain is located in the center, so the water naturally drains away. What makes this product non-slip is the structure on the bottom that has been equipped with two hundred individual suction cups.
While this option measures 22 by 22 inches, so it’s definitely not small, the surface on the top is lightly textured. There is a design issue that has been reported by several users, though, and it’s the fact that some of the water gets trapped by the underside of the mat. To remove it, you need to pull the mat up in order to drain it.
Buy from Amazon.com
5. SlipX Solutions Mildew Resistant Large White Rubber Bath
This somewhat smaller mat is easy to install and even easier to clean as you can use the washer with this one. What makes it stand out from the crowd is its slip-resistance. Since it is made from natural rubber, this product is safe to use and eco-friendly, at the same time.
The SlipX Solutions alternative is outfitted with as many as two hundred and fifty suction cups on the bottom, so it’s definitely safe. The brand claims that their product will not develop mildew, but we would advise against leaving it be for too long – clean it as regularly as your time allows you to.
In terms of inconveniences, it’s worth noting that this product might leave a bit of staining if you don’t take it out periodically and leave it to drain. This issue has been reported by several customers, so do keep it in mind. It does work great on darker tubs, though.
Buy from Amazon.com
6. mDesign Easy to Clean Bathroom Rug
If you would rather get a non-slip rug instead of a mat, we suggest checking this one out. Obviously, it might not be the best alternative to install in your tub, but it is still worth considering since it is made from microfiber, and this material is capable of absorbing water. It also has good drying capabilities, so just leave the mat to dry after using it.
The product is a comfortable and convenient option for those who hate the feeling of rubber under their feet. The non-skid backing is what convinced us to showcase it on this list. The mDesign model can also be cleaned in the washing machine, which is an undeniable advantage.
You aren’t limited as to where you can utilize this rug, in that you can conveniently take it with you when you go RV camping, for example. It’s light, portable, and it is also somewhat compact, since it measures 30 by 20 inches.
Buy from Amazon.com
7. LiveComfort Large Bath Shower Mat
Similarly to other models we have talked about here, the LiveComfort mat is made out of PVC, so it doesn’t contain any toxic components such as PBA, latex, or phthalates. It can be used by the elderly, but also by children since it won’t release any unhealthy compounds into the air when it gets in contact with hot water.
The product can be installed in your bathtub, but it can also make for a convenient and comfortable alternative to set up in front of your bathroom sink, for example. The bottom is fitted with 200 suction cups while the top features one hundred holes that are designed to leave the water to drain naturally.
Something worth adding in relation to LiveComfort’s product is that it cannot be cleaned in the washer. To extend the life of the product, we would advise against cleaning it in this way. Use a disinfectant spray and wipe it or scrub it by hand.
Buy from Amazon.com
Our Yearly Guide
If you’re in the market for the best non-slip bath mat for seniors, then you probably know that there are endless alternatives out there. But the ones that you should look for should come with several essential features that can ensure that the elderly person using them employs them properly and without any risk of accidents.
Anti-slip performance
As you can imagine, not all good non-slip bath mats for seniors are created equal. From the materials they are designed to to their size and many other features, they are unique and serve different needs.
But the fact of the matter is that one of the most important characteristic of a reliable product is its anti-slip capability. This purpose can be achieved in several different ways. For example, you might notice that the model you might be interested in comes with several suction cups on the bottom.
However, there’s also the option of choosing one that comes with a patterned design underneath the mat, but these are deemed to be less safe in comparison to the first.
Materials
As you would if you were to choose grab bars for seniors and you’d focus on getting one of those that do not come with slippery surfaces, the same applies in the case of these bath rugs. The suction cups can either be attached to the base of the product or can be an integrated part of it.
While bath mats can be made out of a broad range of materials, the highest recommended models are constructed of rubber, plastic, or a combination of both of these. Others look like actual rugs, but sometimes, they might not have a decent number of suction cups underneath, or they might just come with that special patterned design that supposedly renders them anti-slip.
You’re free to choose whichever you like, without a doubt, but do keep in mind the safety of the senior citizen and his or her mobility before making up your mind. The medical conditions of some patients prevent them from grabbing onto something so as to get in a stable position once more. The safest bet, in such a case, would be an all-rubber mat.
Bear in mind that the contact surface on the top also has to be non-slip, because there’s a lot of water splashing in people’s bathrooms and bathtubs.
Cleaning and anti-bacterial properties
Germs are everywhere, so there’s not a single instant in a day when we’re germ-free. They’re in our bodies, on our skin, and some of those present in our living environments can be pathogenic, and that’s the ones that we simply must avoid at all cost.
To make your life easier and that of the person using the mat, it would be salutary to select a mat that can be cleaned in the washer. In this way, you can remove the bacteria that might have accumulated on the mat with ease, but if the structure of the product allows you to, you can also sanitize it with various disinfectants.
Fluffy rugs are harder to sanitize compared to rubber mats. Their design makes it easier for water to seep in and remain there, and if you didn’t know, water is an environment where bacteria can thrive.
Drying
The product needs to dry fast because otherwise, it can pose a threat to the person stepping in and out of the tub. By the same token, a mat that will retain water will be more dangerous in terms of the germs that it can keep.
Talk to the person that uses the mat to leave the bathroom to air after having taken a shower or a bath. This will make it easier for the mat to dry quickly.
Size
While it might not seem like the most important aspect to give some thought to, the mat definitely has to fit the user’s bathroom and it also needs to be as big as possible. Otherwise, the patient might slip and end up with his or her feet on the tile, in which case all bets are off and an accident might occur at any moment.
While you’re doing your research, read some elderly non-slip bath mat reviews to see what other people who have tried out the product you are considering have had to say about it in all respects.
If you enjoyed reading this post, we have others that might assist you in finding the perfect product for seniors. For example, we made an analysis of good bed rails, dependable grab bars for shower use, and even canes for balance problems. Don’t forget that preventing slipping accidents can also be done with the right slippers for elderly women and men.
If you liked reading this article, maybe you’d like to check out some of our others:
Bibliography:
1) Older adults and activities associated with a high risk for injury
2) Make Your Bathroom a Safe Zone
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