These bath mats are made from the safest plastics. They are all PVC (polyvinyl chloride)-free, as PVC mats tend to have a high offgassing odor.
If you are extremely sensitive to plastic you may find all the mats do need some time to offgas after they come out of the package. Any flexible plastic needs to air out. Usually, a day or a few days will suffice.
But there is one alternative for the very sensitive that may work better for you than a mat.
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1. Natural Rubber
Natural rubber (which is a latex and will have some rubber odor) works well for me.
I bought and use this OTHWAY natural rubber mat (pictured left in pink) because it has a good non-slip surface on top and also stays in place.
I am happy with it.
It did have a natural rubber odor at first and I left it outside for a day (others might need to leave it for a few days).
I don’t hang it up to dry after each use so it does tend to grow mold underneath.
You are meant to hang it over the tub to dry after every use.
I use this in a shower that has a very slippery type of tile, the suction cups work very well and it’s comfortable to sit or stand on (though it’s not particularly cushiony).
Price: Low, and good value for the money.
2. TPE Plastic
This TPE plastic and polyethylene mat is non-toxic and close to odor-free. TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) and polyethylene will generally be lower odor than natural rubber and will suit many people who are chemically sensitive.
They also recommend hanging this up to dry after every use, reviews note mold forming for people who did not hang it up after every use. It’s machine washable. Most reviewers were happy with it.
They almost always contain Microban – I haven’t found one that doesn’t.
Price: Low
3. Silicone
Silicone is another non-toxic plastic that will become odorless with just a little bit of time.
This is a less common material and usually more expensive, but the most extremely sensitive folks will most likely do best with silicone.
Price: Higher than TPE or rubber.
4. Anti-Slip Stickers
As an alternative to using a mat in the bath or shower, you can use these stickers to attach to a fiberglass or acrylic floor.
The brand Secopad was recommended by a highly sensitive person and the reviews are very positive.
The material is a very thin EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate). You won’t have the worry of having to hang up the mat to dry and cleaning the back of it (or machine washing it).
Price: Around the same as silicone.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Jane A Bradley
on your advice I purchased the Secopad only to find out from reviewers that the transparent stickers yellow over time and accumulate mold. Please do not recommend these products until YOU have used them. I am unable to return.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I don’t use every product on my website that would be impossible but they were recommended by someone I know. Unfortunately all plastic options do go moldy with time in my experience, especially if there is mold in your bathroom or the item cannot dry out fully after each shower.
Sarah
My routine w/bath mats is once I find one I like, to buy several of them, take them out of the packaging, and hang them up on hangers w/clips in the basement or outside on good weather days to off gas. It can take a while, but if you do it with a lot of them before you need to use one, you’ll wind up with a nice little inventory to draw from.