Can I Use a Vintage Rug in My Bathroom?

One of the questions I get asked most often is this: “Can I use a special vintage rug in my bathroom?” My honest to goodness answer is... yes, absolutely! 

Wool is an incredible fabric and actually wicks away moisture. It is naturally antibacterial, making it a great option for use in a bathroom or other wet environment, for instance a kitchen sink rug. That being said, here are a few recommendations for vintage rugs in bathrooms:

If using a vintage rug as an actual bath mat, make sure to choose a 100% wool rug- meaning wool pile on a wool foundation. You’ll see this info in each of our rug listings. A rug might be wool pile on a wool foundation, or wool pile on a cotton foundation. Since cotton holds onto moisture, a 100% wool rug on a wool foundation will be the best at keeping moisture at bay, and avoiding any potential for bacteria to grow. Make sure to dry off with a towel before stepping onto your vintage rug. You don’t need to be totally bone dry, just not dripping wet!

If you plan to use your vintage rug elsewhere in your bathroom like in front of the sink, or any place that isn’t as wet as in front of a shower or tub, a wool pile on either a wool foundation or cotton foundation would be a perfect choice. Since the rug won’t be getting as wet as often, there is less worry about it retaining moisture.

No matter where your vintage rug will live in your bathroom- plan to use a rug pad under your rug to protect your tile from the rare chance of any color bleed, and to provide more airflow for the rug. And a couple times a year, you should take your rug outside on a sunny day for a few hours for a “sun bath”. The UV rays will dry out any lingering moisture and kill any bacteria keeping your rug fresh! We’ve got a great journal post on all of the details on rug sun bathing here.

I have been using vintage rugs in my bathroom for 10+ years and they hold up amazingly!

xo,

Anna