What To Know For Buying A Great Doormat

Your front doormat is your homes first line of defence against all the mud and dirt that comes from wet shoes and boots, so it’s important to consider what material and size you’re getting and where it will be used. Not only that but it is also the first impression guests will have when they arrive at your home. A good doormat not only looks great and makes your home look more presentable and well put together, but also is the best and most cost effective way to protect your floors and save you a ton of time cleaning. With that in mind, let’s breakdown some of the things you need to look out for.

Outdoor Vs Indoor

Where do you plan to use your doormat? If you want a doormat for outdoor use it’s important to have one that is made out of materials that are resistant to the elements. That may include materials such as teak, woven seagrass or  coconut fibres, which are highly durable and ideal for busy indoor-outdoor areas.

Indoor Mats

While there are many indoor-outdoor mats and outdoors mats, you have to be careful with some materials.Mats made from sisal, jute and fabrics (like cloth) are best used indoors, since they don't stand up well to the elements over long periods of time. Keep these mats inside as their job is to catch any lingering debris, not to scrape off all the dirt.

Doormat Texture

Also mats for outdoor entrances and those with higher amounts of foot traffic may call for a rougher surface. Scraper mats would be a good bet as they are designed by name to remove even the most stubborn dirt and debris from your feet.

Stop the Skid

What’s worse than than having your mat skid and slip from underneath you when you’re trying to wipe your feet? If you find that your doormat is moving around a lot you may want to look into PVC vinyl backed doormats. These have non-slip backings that reduce the amount of slide to a minimum keep you safe and on your feet.

Measure Correctly

While doormats come in many sizes and shapes, it's important that it fits in size with your door. It goes without saying that both feet have to fit on the mat, but make sure that it's at least about 3/4 or 80% the width of the doorway where it will be used. Also consider height: we've all had mats that are too thick and slide or get stuck when we open a door, so keep thick mats to outdoor use.

Avoid Rubber In The Cold

You may have found some affordable rubber mats that seem quite durable and won’t move around much but be careful about using them during the winter. Rubber when exposed to the cold for long period of time is known for cracking and you may end up needing to buy a new mat altogether. In the winter stow them away or keep them for indoor use.

Clean Mats Just Work Better

A clean mat will trap more dirt and debris, so clean doormats as often as possible. For most indoor mats, all you have to do is shake them out or put a vacuum to them. Or if it's plastic fibres, wood or rubber, simply hose down the mat and air dry it.

If you keep some of these tips in mind when buying your next doormat, not only will your guests notice, but your floors and your home will thank you!