5 Tips to Help You Take Good Care of Entrance Mats.

The purpose of entrance mats is to keep the entrance of the building clean and to provide a professional look to the premises. By virtue of the amount of traffic they see every day, entrance mats collect a lot of dirt and grime from shoe soles. A good entrance mat will scrape the dirt off shoes, hold it, and hide it from plain site, so the area looks clean and stays hygienic. And it is precisely for this reason that entrance mats need to be cleaned regularly. They hold a lot of dust and dirt hidden in their fibres and proper cleaning will ensure they continue to work efficiently. 

Here are 5 cleaning tips that will help increase the longevity and appearance of the entrance mat. 

1. Daily Vacuuming or Dusting

Daily cleaning of entrance mats by vacuuming or dusting with a broom can increase the lifespan of the mat, keep it looking clean, and help it function as it should. Cleaning also keeps the mat surface dry, which in turn helps it retain its appearance.

2. Quick Removal of Spills and Stains

Spills are inevitable and unavoidable. While theer may be no way to prevent them, cleaning them up immediately will ensure they do not leave any serious and ugly stains. Use a clean absorbent material to soak up as much liquid as possible from the mat. For oil and grease stains, try to blot the spilled fluid until stain is removed and use dry cleaning fluid in small amounts on the spot.

3. Wet Shampooing

When the entrance mat has a lot of embedded dirt and dust, daily vacuuming and cleaning will not be sufficient to restore the vibrant color of the entrance mat. In this case, deep cleaning shampooing is recommended. For shampooing, use any neutral synthetic detergent with tepid water (it is best to use 1/2 cup per gallon of water) and use a hand brush gently but firmly scrub the mat surface. Use a sponge or cloth to remove suds.

It the matting is excessively soiled with mud, follow the above method and rinse the mat off with cold water until the soil is removed and the water runs clean. Use a floor squeegee to remove excess water and place the entrance mat in an inclined position to let water drain out and to dry out the mat.

4. Shedding of Fuzzing

Shedding and fuzzing is natural and normal for certain types of entrance mats.

5. Storage and Handling

If you need to store entrance mats, please roll the carpet with pile facing out. Lay the mat flat and do not allow it to be crushed in any way. Mats should be stored in a clean, dry place with moderate temperature. If the mat borders break off or come undone, the mat should be removed from the area until edges are repaired in order to avoid tripping hazard.

Mats should never be stored standing on end. This causes the edges to curl and will void any warranty. Do not place any other items on top of the stored mat.

When replacing the mat, please ensure the floor is clean and the back of the mat is free from dirt and debris. The underside of mats should be cleaned frequently to get rid of any accumulated dirt.

When you are going to use a brand-new entrance mat, unpack it and lay it flat in a warm, dry environment for several hours to allow it to relax and uncurl before placing at the entrance.

Following these simple tips can help you take good care of your expensive commercial entrance mats and make sure they are well maintained and last long.