This crumbly rock happens to be the key to the best bath mat. Also known as diatomaceous earth or diatom mud, this substance has a ton of applications — from beer brewing and pool filters to nontoxic pesticides. Its extreme porosity makes it an ideal material for keeping damp locations, like bathrooms, perfectly dry.

Watching the stone drink up puddles is like watching a magic trick. It takes less than a minute to absorb a wet footprint, far outperforming bamboo slatted mats. This stone has reduced the cleaning cycle from a biweekly to a monthly chore. It’s simple to clean: just scrub it down with dish soap and a plastic-bristle brush, then air dry.