Is this the correct way that a bath mat should be.. Dry or damp?

@cream97 (29086)
United States
March 24, 2009 2:48pm CST
As you all know, I am still at the motel, staying. The lady housekeeper brought me back a bath mat for us to use for the bathroom. This mat is used for me to step out on when I get out of the shower. Well, she brought me back it, damp. At first when I touched it, I thought that it was not clean, and that is was wet from someone else using it or it came out of the washing machine without it being dried. So, I asked her about this, and she told me that, that is how they are supposed to bring me the bath mat, damp. I told her that I did not know this because every other housekeeper brought it to me very dry and clean. This was a surprise to me. I have always had a bath mat that was dry. Besides, isn't that the purpose of stepping out on a dry mat when you get out of the shower. Why would anyone want to step out on a damp, almost wet bath mat??? The bath mat was cotton and it looked like a small towel. I was very puzzled about this. So, I didn't argue back with her, I just accepted it, as if there was no big deal to it. She is the only person that brought it back to me damp. I have been staying here for two months and I have never seen anything like this before. All of the housekeeper's besides her have given me a dry bath mat each and everytime that they came to my room. So, why not her.. She said that this is how they always bring it, damp. So, that means that this is their procedure. I wonder how come is she the only one that is following it and not the others. Even one lady I know that works here as a housekeeper for over 19 years has never brought it back to me damp, but only fully dry.. What do you think about this? Was the housekeeper just being too lazy to take it back to the laundry room to dry it? Or could it just be that this is the way that it is?
5 people like this
13 responses
24 Mar 09
i have no idea i always thought they were supposed to be dry. I can't see any reason what so ever why someone would want an already damp bathmat
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
24 Mar 09
Hi, newbychatter! I don't see why anyone would want a damp bath mat either. I would prefer it to be dry..
1 person likes this
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
24 Mar 09
That's crazy, I think she was just to lazy to take the damp mat back and bring you a dry one. Why would anyone want to get out of the bath or shower and step on a wet bath mat? I wouldn't want to step on a damp mat after taking a shower. I would ask at the front desk what the policy about bath mats are.
2 people like this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
26 Mar 09
Hi cream dear! I think she is just being lazy with her work. I do know that bath mats should be dry. We need it to be dry so we can dry our feet when we step on it after a shower. I just don't know why she is claiming that is it the proper procedure. I guess, that she is just trying to get out of the hook because you have questioned her with bringing back a damp bath mat. Take care and blessings to you. lovelots..faith
1 person likes this
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
25 Mar 09
That's ridiculous, bathmats are supposed to start off dry. I think she just didn't want to bring you another one. I can't believe she tried to tell you it was their procedure to bring you a damp bathmat. I don't know what I would have done. I wouldn't have had the nerve to argue, probably, but I would have been angry at someone trying to pull something over on me like that.
1 person likes this
@suzzy3 (8341)
26 Mar 09
Of course it should be dry I worked as a chamber maid in the past and we laid fresh ,clean and dry towels bath mats ect in each room.If someone was staying a few days we would have asked them just to put it on the bathroom floor with the towels and we would automatically change them every day if wanted ,I have never heard of anything like it in all my life.Complain I would expect you too.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Mar 09
I would think it would be dry. What is the purpose of it being wet? Why get out of a wet shower and have something wet to step on? Doesnt make sense to me. And wouldnt it being wet and sitting there cause bacteria to start growing? Who knows what her reason could have been...lazy? tired? sick of work? in a bad mood? Who knows.
1 person likes this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
24 Mar 09
I've never heard of such a thing...that absolutely makes no sense what-so-ever. She cannot be correct, because if they really wanted them to be damp, they would be mildewing and growing organisms while they're stored. Either she doesn't have a clue, she's lying, and/or she's just plain lazy. If it was me, I'd ask at the desk that my bath mats be clean and dry when I receive them (or could I pick up a dry one daily because I don't care for their policy of delivering clean wet bath mats.) I would also 'play dumb' and ask if this was truly their policy, and what the logic was behind a policy like that. Chances are better than good that they are not aware that she's doing that. I think she's trying to pull one over, because it would seem to me that a hotel/motel wouldn't want to store wet and have micro-organisms growing!
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
30 Mar 09
I've never heard of using a damp bath mat. I might see it if it had the rubber backing on it b/c the continuous drying in the dryer will tear up the rubber backing but normally you just hang it up to dry or set the dryer on a lighter drying cycle. If it was me, I'd hang it over the tub to air dry for the time being and the next time one of the housekeepers comes around, preferably the one that has been there over 19 years, just ask her about it...don't complain but just ask her about it. It may be that whoever trained the other one didn't train her right. [b]**AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~[/b]
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
25 Mar 09
My parents owned a motel while I was growing up. I spent many summers and weekends working in housekeeping. Let me tell you that the maid was being LAZY. This is not only disgusting but a health hazard~! We would get written up by the health department if we folded a towel if even one corner was damp! You need to let the hotel manager know this as you check out...if not before. Do not accept anything other than a dry one again. You don't know what kind of germs are on those. Also, if you get a towel that does not smell fresh and clean, DO NOT USE IT.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Mar 09
sometimes they come from laundry like that.it's usually when they're in a hurry to get them out.especially on weekends. i hated getting them that way because i always knew somebody'd complain. sometimes they'd come back stained too.
24 Mar 09
\hi cream97, It is meant to be dry and I think this housekeeper is just too lazy and its not very healthy to bring the wet anyway, anyone could have used it already, I would complain about it. Tamara
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
25 Mar 09
Hey cream! Come on now! What do you think? I think that this housekeeper should have been reported! Of course she was lying to you! She just didn't feel like drying it or she gave you someone elses wet mat! I think you knew the answer to the question and you just didn't want to argue with her! If all the other housekeepers always gave you a dry mat and only this one gave it to you wet, don't you think she was lying? Of course the bath mat is supposed to be dry! It is dry until you use it and you get it wet!
1 person likes this
@HelloMickey (1655)
• Hong Kong
25 Mar 09
I don't accept the explanation of the lady housekeeper. I think she just wanna muddle with her work and found it an excuse to explain why the bath mat wet. Yuck~ If the bath mat was damp and wet, I must imagine it was dirty and full of germs. My bath mat at home is always dry and I will wash it every five days.
1 person likes this