Welcome to Counterpoint, a series in which we challenge commonly held ideas about well-known products. This time: cloth bathmats.
Bath mats are a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, according to a study by the American Society for Microbiology. Their location in the dampest room in your home creates a wonderful environment for microorganisms to grow in. The issue lies with the material of the bath mat — usually a cloth fabric that absorbs water with nowhere for it to go. Why not buy a wooden one instead?
Unlike the cloth variety, wooden bath mats will stand up better to water, staining and bacteria. Plus, you won’t need to step onto a sponge after every shower. Wood won’t get as gnarly and is easier to clean than cloth, which require machine washing. Besides being better for you, wooden bath mats are a modern, minimalist and usually inexpensive way to make your bathroom feel more like a calming Japanese onsen. Here are seven good options for your bathroom floor.
The wide-open slats of this mat provide ample breathing room for water to evaporate, and it won't get sopping wet the same way a cloth mat does. The bamboo adds a nice natural touch to your bathroom, and it's also a renewable resource.
This interlocking, lattice weave bath mat allows for adequate air flow so you don't end up with a wet mess. Because the mat lies flat on the floor, it closely resembles the feel of walking on a regular cloth mat.
This simple and affordable bamboo bath mat has widely spaced slats, which make for easy cleaning and open ventilation. Its height off the ground will also allow water to more easily evaporate instead of being trapped under the mat.
The lattice design of ZPirate’s bath mat prevents water from pooling on the surface while giving enough ventilation for the water to evaporate. The mat is easy to roll and has silicone rubber pads underneath to prevent slippage. Some may prefer this mat’s lower profile rather than elevated options.
Another bamboo option, this one's rubber feet will prevent slippage, and the slats are spaced a little closer together for those who feel like their toes may slip between the planks.
Tosaryu’s bath mats are made of hinoki wood, which is highly resistant to mold and mildew. Tosaryu uses locally-harvested, high quality hinoki cypress, and the brand believes in being respectful to the environment; every part of the hinoki is used from the oil to make soap to the leftover wood flakes to make cutting boards. Hinoki wood has a reputation for releasing a calming aroma when wet, so you might find yourself purposely dampening the mat.
The Okawa Hinoki Workshop has been handcrafting furniture for four generations, with an expertise in working with hinoki wood. Its craftspeople’s attention to detail and quality means bath mats take over a week to complete, and the result is a beautifully designed accent piece to all bathrooms. Like the Tosaryu mat, the hinoki wood emits a pleasant, soothing smell once wet.
The V10 used to be Dyson's top-tier stick vacuum, but it was eventually replaced by the slightly more powerful (and much more expensive) V11. This makes the V10 a great value, as it's usually $150 less than the V11. Thanks to this sale, it's even a better value than the V11 right now.
If you are working out a lot, you're going to need more than one mask. Under Armour has created one of the best sports-specific masks and right now if you buy two you get a great deal.
Is anything left to be said about the Eames chair? This is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture to come out of the 20th century and is a must-have for any furniture aficionados (if you can afford it).
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When you're not using it, it functions just like any other mirror in your house. When you turn it on, Mirror reveals an LCD panel with stereo speakers and access to hundreds of workout classes.
If you're a student, there's never been a better time to get a Hulu subscription. The discount also doesn't expire — it lasts as long as you're enrolled as a student.
Yeti mugs are some of our favorites and any time one goes on sale, we jump on it because they usually end up selling out fast. This mug might be perfect.
The Killshot OG SP offers all the low-key design appeal of its better-known counterpart, with some serious throwback flair added in for good measure. And right now, it's under 50 bucks.
Todd Snyder's collaborations with Timex always hit. Paired with a vintage military-inspired band, this bullseye design is straight from the Timex archives.
These cotton percale sheets boast a 270 thread count and always stay cool — perfect for hot sleepers. Brooklinen is one of our go-to's for linens, especially at 15 percent off.
Gore-Tex uppers and Primaloft insulation combined with the classic Bean Boot silhouette make this a no brainer for deep winter, whether you're digging out the driveway or stomping around in puddles.
Sonos’s entry-level soundbar that doubles as a smart speaker and normally costs $399 is now sold refurbished for a big price drop, taking the sting out of the original price.
Adidas used sustainable Parley Primeblue material to make its Primeknit upper even better, then combined it with Boost midsoles to make the ultimate earth-conscious workout shoe.
The Jabra Elite Active 65t are sports-focused headphones (IP56) with better great sound quality for listening to music and taking calls. Also compatible with Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant, this is one of our top picks for sports-focused earbuds.
This humble watch cap from Todd Snyder is made and designed in Japan using traditional and modern manufacturing techniques, guaranteeing you get the quality you expect.
If you want to stay cozy but are tired of sweatpants, flannel-lined pants are the move. The warmth of flannel and the style of a chino combine like marshmallows and hot chocolate.
Keep an eye on your home from anywhere with these surveillance cameras from Google Nest. 24/7 motion and sound alerts are pushed to the free Nest app, giving you the ease of mind you expect from a security system.
An elegant addition to your office, lounge, or bedroom, this watch winder keeps your automatic watches powered with up to 1,200 turns per day and three different rotational directions.
This humidifier brings a cool mist to whichever room you need it and can diffuse essential oils if you want to add a scent. It comes with a remote, 12-hour timer, and clean tank technology to prevent the build-up of mold and mildew.
Chaco bolstered its original Z sandal with a pillow-top footbed and dubbed the new version the Z/Cloud. Everything you want from Chaco — a sturdy and simple sandal — with next-level comfort.
Whether you want to move some of your most frequently used herbs indoors or don't have space outside for a garden, the AeroGarden Harvest is a perfect solution, with clearance for up to a foot of growth and room for 6 plants that grow five times faster than soil.
Tyler ChinTyler Chin is Gear Patrol’s Associate Staff Writer.
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