If bending over to scrub your feet in the shower is difficult, uncomfortable or downright unsafe, this simple foot scrubbing mat could make a world of difference. Deemed “perfect for mobility issues,” this mat sticks to the shower floor with suction cups, letting you clean your feet simply by moving them back and forth across its bristles. Reviewers say the hands-free design makes it great for anyone recovering from surgery who can’t bend over, or for anyone who may have trouble reaching their feet and are at risk of falling. And even if you don’t have mobility issues, it’s an easy way to slough away dead skin. But best of all? It’s just over $7. Not bad for “a foot spa for the shower.”
Its silicone makeup means it’ll gently exfoliate dead skin and dry fast between uses, while its suction cup backing firmly sticks to a wet bath floor.
A soapy foot is a dangerous one in the shower, especially if you suffer from mobility issues, and even worse is the “flamingo technique” of standing on one foot while trying to scrub the other. As one reviewer reminds us: “No one wants a fall in the shower regardless of age, but especially the elderly.”
And so, this foot scrubbing mat comes in handy not only for scraping off dead foot skin, but also for providing a stable foundation for scrubbing your feet clean. The suction cups stay in place as you step on it, reducing the risk of fall and slips, especially with soapy feet. The mat also comes with a hook for hanging it up between uses to help it dry quickly.
The mat’s stability means you can, according to a reviewer, “scrub your foot back and forth and get your feet super clean without feeling like when you set your soapy foot down it’s going to shoot out from under you.”
That also means you don’t have to bend over to clean your toes. One reviewer says, “it does help the dead skin on the back of your heels. I am in my 70’s and my heels are smooth and soft without needing a sander.”
This rubber mat can help prevent falls while softening and scrubbing those rough feet. Grab one for yourself for just under $8, and see what other users have to say about it below.
“Love this as a foot scrubber in the shower. I have been using it for almost a year now and it has held up very well. I have bought several for gifts and my friends also love them. It takes a bit of getting used to at first, but once you continue to use, as a foot scrubber, it really does the job. it does help the dead skin on the back of your heels, and I like to follow up with a good foot cream, like Dr. Teals, after use. I am in my 70’s and my heels are smooth and soft without needing a sander.” — GramC
“Awesome item. I can’t bend down to wash my feet since back surgery. Came across this product and wasn’t expecting much. I was mistaken! I am a fall risk and am very cautious - not slippery! Love how it hangs in my shower to dry out. I’m a 70 yr old grandma who is pleased with this item.” — Amazon Customer
“I absolutely love it! This shower foot scrubber is fantastic—it’s super easy to put in the shower floor and stays perfectly put thanks to the suction cups on the back. It manages to massage and clean my feet at the same time using hundreds of soft bristles, reaching those hard-to-get-into areas between my toes. It genuinely relaxes my tired, achy feet after a long day. When I’m done, the convenient hanging hook makes it easy to remove, hang up to dry, and store compactly. I haven’t tried it on my back as the description implies you can. It comes in a few different colors so I may order a color so I can use it for my back. I would definitely recommend this foot scrubber mat!” — Rae
“Perfect if you can’t bend down or reach your feet. I got this for my SO who just had neck surgery- he is able to put this on the shower floor, squirt some body wash on it and rub his feet back-and-forth.” — Jennifer D G
Looking for more home balance ideas for mobility problems? Check out these solutions from previous HuffPost reporting.
An inflatable balancing disc (19% off)
Similar to the foam balance pad, this balancing disc is a shifting surface that can help your reaction time and overall balance, according to experts we asked about it. It also comes previously recommended by a physical therapist for its potential assistance in core-strengthening exercises. The disc is also versatile: Use it standing, sitting, or even behind your back to help with posture. The disc has a non-slip, dual-textured surface and comes in several fun colors. It’s 19% off for a limited time!
A foam balance pad for stability training
We previously spoke to physical therapists about the benefits of using a balance pad: They can help train your muscles to make faster, continuous adjustments while you’re on the unstable surface, leading to overall better balance and stability. (For what it’s worth, another expert also previously told HuffPost that using a balance pad for simple exercises can help improve your bone density, too.)
Based on this insight, we chose to highlight this ProsourceFit option which comes in two sizes and has a near-perfect 4.8-star rating with more than 14,000 reviews. The lightweight pad weighs just 12 ounces so you can carry it wherever, and use it for Sellmeyer's recommended balance exercises as well as lunges, squats, planks and more. That's in addition to other uses around the house, like as a knee pad for gardening, a foot pad for underneath your desk and more. Talk about versatility. The pad is available in five colors.
Promising review: "Functions exactly as advertised. great for balance and core work. this pad has the perfect amount of "give" to work those areas. also the small waves on the surface help to prevent sliding on hard wood floors." — Mary S.
A foam roller you can balance on
By now, you probably get the picture: Properly incorporating exercise tools that challenge your stability can help with your balance. Though this foam roller was initially recommended by experts for core strengthening, it can help with balance, too. According to one expert consulted in that story, if you have the OK to put pressure on your spine, you can try lying down vertically on the roller and using alternating arms and legs to support your balance.
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)