Nylon vs. Cotton Bath Rugs

Softness

• Bathroom rugs made from cotton are soft and absorbent. Egyptian cotton rugs get softer with each machine washing because of their fiber structure, whereas other cotton rugs lose some of their softness. Nylon rugs are also created for luxurious softness. Nylon and cotton rugs that have an attached rubber padding on one side can provide extra plushness and a nonskid backing to prevent sliding.

Durability

• Nylon bath rugs are very durable and stain and fade resistant and can stand up to traffic and wear. Nylon has excellent resilience -- the ability of a fiber to spring back into its original configuration. Cotton bath rugs wear well but can shrink after washing, stain easily and may fade. Rugs made from Egyptian cotton fibers are stronger and more resistant to stress than other cotton rugs.

Care

• According to cleaning instructions for bathroom rugs found on Mohawk Rug's website, nylon and cotton bath rugs should be cleaned the same way. Mohawk care instructions advise washing nylon and cotton rugs separately in cold -- never hot -- water with a mild detergent. Do not dry clean bath rugs, and never use bleach. Tumble dry the rugs on low heat.

Fiber Content

• Cotton bathroom rugs are made of fibers from the naturally grown flower of the cotton plant. Organic-cotton rugs are constructed with cotton that is grown without the use of any toxic chemicals, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, resulting in a low environmental impact. Egyptian cotton is grown primarily in the Nile Valley, with the fibers being longer than other cotton species. Nylon is a man-made material created from the melting down of synthetic substances that are processed into fibers.