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    Stone Bath Mats That Dry So Fast, You'll Ditch Your Regular Bathroom Rug

    We tested five bath mats made of diatomaceous earth, including options from Dorai, to find out which were safest and got the job done

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    Dorai stone bath mat bathmat in a bathroom setting, SlipX, Sutera, Medusa, Dorai stone bath mats
    If your bath mat never seems to dry fully, a mat made of diatomaceous earth might be the solution. And not to worry—users say you might not miss the plushness of your rug.
    Photos: Dorai, Medusa, Consumer Reports

    If you had told me that swapping my cozy bathroom rug for a diatomaceous earth stone bath mat was on my Bingo card for the year, I would have said, “Diato-what?” 

    I probably watch more HGTV and DIY Network than the average person, and I still didn’t know about the efficacy of stone bath mats until recently. Dorai, Medusa, and other companies that make these mats claim that they have lightning-fast water-wicking abilities. And stone bath mat enthusiasts claim that when you get the right one, it can change your entire post-shower routine.

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    More on the Bathroom

    Bath mats are crucial for protecting floors from water damage and helping to dry feet. In my home, they’re particularly important. With daily showers, a couple of baths a week, a spouse who splashes a lot of water on the bathroom floor every time he showers, and a sometimes naughty puppy who likes to “mark” new rugs, my bath rugs are tasked with a lot of work.

    So I tested five stone bath mats to find out which ones actually perform well and which ones aren’t worth the coins. I tried each one for a week, using it as I do my plush polyester shower rug. José Amézquita also tested the same mats in his lab at CR’s headquarters in Yonkers, N.Y., to find out how easily they break. They’re somewhat fragile after all, and a few of them are a bit expensive (some are in the $100 range). I found four diatomaceous earth bath mats so efficient at drying feet (and air-drying after) that I don’t think I can go back to a traditional bathroom rug.

    What to Know About Diatomaceous Earth Stone Bath Mats

    Before we dig into why these four picks were so impressive, let’s get a little Bill Nye for a minute. If you’ve never heard of diatomaceous earth stone bath mats, you’re not alone. According to K. Turner Temple, a hospitality design consultant in New York City, they’re “not super common in the interior design space” even though designers have been using similar materials in bathrooms for a while. 

    Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossil remains of microscopic algae (diatoms) and is known for its ability to absorb oil and moisture. Stone bath mats made from diatomaceous earth are compressed slabs (often resembling a large cutting board) of this powdery material with millions of pores that soak up water and keep the surface dry. They tend to last longer than fabric mats, so you don’t have to replace them as often. If they’re manufactured and used responsibly, they should last for a few years, Temple says. Before purchasing one, make sure it’s made of food-grade or cosmetic-grade diatomaceous earth (more on this later). The big drawback? They can crack if mishandled or dropped, so be sure to use caution when moving or cleaning them.

    Stone Bath Mat Break Tests in Our Lab

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    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    Shalwah Evans

    Shalwah Evans

    Shalwah Evans is a journalist with more than a decade of experience covering beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and culture. Her work has appeared in leading digital and print publications, including Essence magazine and essence.com, Travel + Leisure, PS, The Cut, Thrillist, Well+Good, and makeup.com. She's a self-proclaimed skincare fanatic and ingredients nerd. Formerly NCSF certified, she has also worked as a fitness operations manager, which she carries into her writing. She earned her Master of Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley.