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When was the last time you considered or even noticed your doormat? I'll bet it's been quite some time. This little home accessory not only establishes your style and welcomes guests, but it is also one of the most important tools in maintaining the floors in your home.
Everything that our shoes encounter during the day from public restroom floors to pet accidents to mud and soil can enter our homes. The doormat outside your entrance is the first line of defense to keep out pollen, bacteria, dirt, germs, and other pollutants that can affect a family's health. These lowly mats also stop the grit and grime that scratch hard-surface floors and soil expensive carpets.
Now that you've come to appreciate your doormat, you may need to buy a new one. When shopping, there are several things to consider:
Overall size: The mat should be large enough for at least two people to wipe their feet before entering and accommodate most footwear, including boots if they are commonly worn.
Doorway clearance: Before purchasing a mat, make sure it's thin enough that your door won't get stuck as you try to open or close it.
Weather appropriateness: If your entryway is not protected, you'll need a more durable mat. Areas with ice and snow require a different type of mat than those near sandy soil.
Ability to remove debris: A doormat with a higher, thicker profile will typically remove more debris from shoes than a thin mat.
Indoor or outdoor suitability: Some mats are manufactured for interior or exterior use only, while others can be used interchangeably.
Once you have found the right mat for your needs, don't forget to keep it clean. Most interior and exterior mats just need to be shaken every few days to remove trapped debris. Indoor mats can be vacuumed, and some can be tossed in the washer. Just remember to never put a rubber or plastic-backed mat in the dryer. The backing can melt or peel away.
I live in an area with red mud that I don't want to find its way inside. So, I am always looking for the most effective doormat to keep my home clean.
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Though the Cozy Products Ice and Snow Melting Mat is the priciest on our list, if you live in a frigid, snowy area you can't put a price on the safety of your family and guests.
With a large surface area of 38 inches by 34 inches, the mat covers most entrances. By combining several mats, an entire sidewalk area can be kept ice and snow-free. The mat is made of reinforced rubber and works by conducting electricity through the heating element embedded in the rubber to radiate heat throughout the center of the mat. The product will generate heat up to 40 degrees F over the outdoor ambient temperature.
I have family members that live in an area that receives ice and snow for at least three months every year. It was becoming increasingly difficult for them to constantly salt and shovel porches and walkways. The Cozy Products mat takes care of the problem near doors and helps keep winter slush and salt out of the house.
They have used the mat for two winters and have had no problems. You do need a three-pronged grounded outlet nearby or a heavy-duty extension cord. Their only complaint is that water stands on the mat but a quick brush with a broom takes care of the problem.
The biggest complaint is that the mats cannot be linked together to cover larger areas without multiple extension cords.
Pros: Melts up to two inches of snow per hour, non-slip, easy to install, 6-month warranty
Cons: Multiple mats cannot be linked for larger areas, water can stand on the surface
If you are looking for a stylish, durable, and high-performance eco-friendly doormat, the Iron Gate Natural Coir Mat is a perfect choice. Measuring 18-inches wide, 30-inches long, and one-inch thick, this mat takes lots of wear and tear and keeps on performing. I've had one at my patio door for months that has seen lots of feet and paws and still looks great.
Coir is a natural fiber found between the hard external shell and the inner shell of a coconut. Because of its durability and beautiful color, it is often called "the golden fiber". Often confused or misnamed as jute, a smoother fiber from the jute plant, most coir is produced in India.
The fibrous nature of coir and resistance to weather makes it perfect for removing soil from shoes. While I love the design of this mat with its classic knot design, I do recommend it as an exterior mat only. Since there is no rubber backing, it can be slippery on some floor surfaces. Coir is not comfy to walk on without shoes, and it does tend to shed fibers.
However, for outside use, it is quick-drying and the only care the mat needs is a good shaking now and then or a quick vacuuming with a Shop-Vac. When the mat is past its prime, it can simply be added to the compost pile to decompose.
Pros: 100% renewable and decomposable fiber, removes shoe soil easily, durable, and easy care
Cons: Mat can be slippery on some surfaces, best for outdoor uses
After scraping away debris from my shoes on the outdoor mat, I step inside to the comfy Gorilla Grip Rubber Door Mat to remove my shoes on its soft, non-slip surface. With several colors and patterns to choose from, you're sure to find one that matches your home.
Available in sizes ranging from 17 x 29 inches to 72 x 24 inches, you can choose the perfect shape from a rectangle to a half-circle to a runner for your entrance. The mats are low-profile to easily fit under doors with an all-natural rubber backing and border and a woven polypropylene carpet in the center.
They are so easy to clean that I purchased one to use under my dog's feeding dishes. Simply give the mat a good shake or vacuum. If there is a wet mess, take the mat outside and rinse it off with a garden hose or clean it with a nylon-bristled brush and dishwashing liquid. Be sure to allow the mat to dry completely before returning it to its spot indoors to prevent mildew growth under the mat.
Pros: Variety of sizes, colors, and designs, non-slip, low-profile to fit under doors, non-slip, 10-year warranty
Cons: Mat has a strong rubber/chemical odor that may take several days to dissipate, can discolor vinyl flooring
One of the most desirable features of a doormat is that it removes mud, grass, and soil exceptionally well to prevent the mess from being tracked inside, and the Traffic Master Wrought Iron Door Mat meets that expectation. While the name is a bit of a misnomer, this heavy, rubber mat in a classic wrought iron design is one of the best at scraping away heavy soil from shoes and boots.
The open-work design helps scrape away and trap the mud and then the flexible rubber mat can simply be hosed-off so it's ready for the next muddy visitor. The rubber is resistant to both hot and cold temperatures and because of the open design, water does not pool on the surface.
Since our back door from the garage gets the heaviest traffic, I keep one there next to a boot tray for really messy boots and garden shoes. It even stands up to sports cleats and the 24 x 36-inch size is ample enough for two to use.
One buyer had a great idea; the mats were placed over a weed barrier and linked for use as a garden walkway. Now that's proof of weather resistance at its best.
Pros: Weather resistant, generous size, flexible, easy to clean
Cons: Not comfortable to bare feet
The best doormat for apartments
The Thirsty Dots Door Mat comes in today's stylish colors and three sizes to fit every hallway or stoop.
No one wants to bring wet shoes and everyone else's dirt into your home, and the Thirsty Dots Door Mat will stop all that right from your tracks. The fun carved dot design helps wick away and absorb moisture and trap dirt. Made from polypropylene like most automotive carpets, this mat is durable and won't fade, crack, or mildew. It is perfect for inside use or outdoor exposure.
The mats are offered in four colors and three sizes ranging from 22 x 34 inches to 36 x 60 inches. The rubber-backing is non-skid and the mats have a low profile so they fit easily under indoor and outdoor doors. To give them a good cleaning, just brush with a nylon brush to loosen soil and then rinse off with a hose.
If you live in an apartment, this is a great choice for in your hallway outside your door. The rubber backing will keep it in place, so neighbors walking by won't easily kick it out of place. The low profile will also ensure passersby won't trip on it.
I don't live in an apartment, but I gave this mat a try on my patio near the grill because I like a comfy, cushioned place to stand while I tend the grill. I love the color and the mat has been down for two summers and still looks great — no fading or cracking.
Pros: Fade-resistant, non-slip, trendy design, several size and color choices, made in the USA
Cons: Can trap moisture and harm wood floors or decks