How to double the life of your entrance mat

Keeping your entrance mat working better for longer.

Entrance mats work with you to keep your floors clean and your people safe. They take a constant battering from people walking all over them but looking after them as best you can helps keep them working better for longer.

Most entrance mats are easy to look after with a few simple caretaking tips. Working these into your daily work or home life will save you money by reducing the number of times you need to replace your mats.

These care methods work on all mats, but they are most important for entrance mats because they commonly see the highest level of traffic.

1. Clean it regularly

Clean your mat according to its care instructions. If you start to see dirt building up on the surface, clean it, but also clean it regularly depending on the traffic level of your entrance.

For busy entrances that see high footfall, cleaning your mats once a week is optimal. For entrances that see less traffic, clean your mat as often as you see fit. Whatever you do, make sure you dry your mat completely before setting it back to use.

For more information about cleaning your entrance mat, check out this infographic on how to clean a doormat.

2. Invest in the best

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: better mats save money. Spending a little more on a high-quality mat that will outlast the cheaper options by many years ultimately saves money that would be spent replacing them every 6 months.

Better mats don’t just last longer, too. They work better. A high-quality chair mat will protect your floors better, as well as for longer. A high-quality non slip mat will prevent more slips, trips and falls than a cheaper one.

It is a cost-effective choice to spend a little more on a great mat, than to cheap out on an average one.

3. Use only as advised

It seems obvious, but it’s important. Putting a mat in the environment it was designed for is the best way to keep it working for longer. A coir mat with a rubber backing cannot go outside, and an absorbent entrance mat cannot go in a kitchen environment.

Some of our entrance mats are chemically treated to provide extra features. Mats that belong outside are made to be UV-resistant, and kitchen mats are chemical and oil resistant.

Similarly, check what traffic level a mat is suited for before buying. If you use a mat made for low traffic areas in a very busy hallway, it will deteriorate quickly. Keep your mat where it belongs to double its life.

4. Move them around

A little trick in the mat industry is to rotate your mat every week or so. This extends the life of your mat by giving each edge the same treatment. If your entrance mat is kept in the same spot its whole life, one edge will see more wear and tear than the others.

Rotating your loose-laid mat is easy enough, but if your entrance mat is fitted into a well it will be almost impossible as the mats are cut in to fit perfectly. Luckily, mat wells are created to ensure there is a smooth transition from the surrounding floor eliminating potential trip hazards.

5. Keep them dry

Ideally, you would only bring out non-waterproof mats when there is no rain, but we know that isn’t always possible. If your mat does get wet, make sure you dry it completely somewhere out of use before laying it again.

To dry, leaving your mat in the sun is the best option, which also happens to be the cheapest. If you live in a wet climate, hanging your wet mat in a dry airing cupboard is the next best option.

If you really can’t dry your mat between uses, then you might want to consider getting a water-draining mat. A rubber scraper mat with drainage holes is great for entrances that see constant water, or a traditional coir mat(without rubber backing) works well in the semi-wet.

Caring for your entrance mats

Entrance mats work best when you look after them, just like most things do. Keeping them clean and dry is the most important piece of care advice we can give you but try to rotate them frequently as well.

If you can, invest a little more in a good quality entrance mat. We promise it will save you money in the long run.