Myths and Industrial Door Mat Maintenance
You love seeing customers pour into your establishment when the door’s open every morning. Lately, though, you’ve noticed some unwelcome visitors accompanying them — clumps of dirt, germs, raindrops, and snowflakes. Fortunately, commercial entrance mats are all you need to keep these intruders at bay.
Research shows that 85% of moisture and dust that visitors bring into an establishment can be restricted to the first 18 feet with the right matting, according to the International Sanitation Supply Association (ISSA). This is why M+A Matting created a unique three-step mat system designed to keep guests from tracking debris throughout commercial buildings. Let’s explore this three-mat system, common myths about industrial door mats, and how to maintain a commercial entrance mat.
The Three-Step System
M+A Matting’s three-part system features three kinds of mats: a scraper mat, a WaterHog mat (a scraper and wiper mat), and a carpeted mat (a wiper mat). These commercial entrance mats can benefit your bottom line considering that the cost to remove just one pound of dust and dirt from your building may exceed $600, according to the ISSA. However, spending just a dollar to keep dust and dirt away from your building’s interior may save you $10 in dirt removal costs. Here’s a rundown of how the three mats can help you keep your facility more comfortable, safer, and cleaner.
Scraper Mat
The first part of M+A Matting’s three-part system includes scraper commercial entrance mats. A scraper mat should go outside your establishment to serve as the initial line of defense against water and grime. The SuperScrape Plus and SuperScrape mats’ cleats (studs) will remove dirt from your customer’s shoes as they enter your building. Another scraper mat option is the Brush Hog mat, whose surface is designed to filter water and dust away using borders that can be drained.
WaterHog Mat
Your second step involves placing a WaterHog mat either outside or inside your building. The mat’s two-level surface removes and traps grime from people’s shoes. The mat’s border can also hold water (one-and-a-half gallons per square yard). Thanks to its polyester fabric called polyethylene terephthalate, the mat dries more quickly than your traditional fabric mat.
The Three-Step System
The last part of M+A Matting’s three-part system is a carpeted mat designed to capture the last hint of moisture and dirt on your guests’ shoes. A ColorStar Impressions carpeted mat features an environmentally friendly and stain- and fade-resistant PET surface and may be personalized with your company’s logo for a marketing boost. You can also take advantage of M+A Matting’s Plush and MicroLuxx mats if you want to place extra-absorbent mats in your building’s high-traffic entrances.
Myths About Commercial Mats
Believing common myths related to commercial entrance mats may cause you to buy the wrong mats or spend more on mats than necessary. Let’s take a peek at a few major myths and truths about industrial door mats.
Myth: A Thicker Mat Backing Will Last Longer
A thicker backing may help your commercial entrance mat perform better, but this doesn’t mean your mat will last longer. You may still prefer a thicker mat in a heavy-traffic area since they’re heavier and less prone to “creeping” when crowds walk on it.
Myth: Mats Are Hazardous
Commercial entrance mats can help minimize accidents at your business by providing slip resistance and keeping your floor dry. Still, they must be used properly to keep visitors and employees safe.
Myth: Soft Mats Are the Best
You may want to give your employees soft mats to stand on if they’re on their feet for hours at a time. An anti-fatigue mat helps support the lower leg and back muscles to promote movement in a worker’s calf and leg muscles. This may increase oxygen and blood flow, which might help delay or prevent soreness. If the mat is too soft, though, your workers’ back and leg muscles won’t move enough to stimulate blood flow. This will force their backs and legs to work harder, making them feel more fatigued.
Myth: Mats Don’t Last Long
Some business owners might assume that industrial door mats aren’t worth the investment since they have finite service lives, but mats may last longer than expected if maintained well (more on maintenance next). Some mats also last longer than others depending on the environments in which they’re used. The mat at a facility with first, second, and third shifts all week long may not last as long as one at a company with only two shifts Monday through Friday.
Mat Maintenance
The more you take care of your industrial door mats, the better they’ll take care of your establishment, and the longer they’ll last. Extend your commercial entrance mat’s life by following these maintenance tips.
Choose the Right Mat Backing
Is your building’s floor made of marble, wood, or tile? Choose a mat whose back surface is smooth, which will minimize movement by creating friction. Select one with cleats on the back for a carpeted floor, as these studs will grip the carpet to prevent movement.
Select Mats Made Using Quality Materials
Select commercial entrance mats made with quality materials, particularly if they’re going in busy areas. Rubber backing is more durable than vinyl backing and won’t curl or crack, so you can expect it to last for years.
Practice Proper Mat Maintenance
Industrial door mats should be cleaned weekly to remove extra moisture, sand, and dirt. Don’t fold your mats if you plan to store them; roll them instead. This is particularly important for vinyl mats since they won’t return to their original shapes if kept folded for long periods.
Shop For Quality Commercial Entrance Mats At Unisan Today
At Unisan, we’re proud to be a leading provider of commercial entrance mats and other facility, sanitary, and personal protective equipment. We generate repeat business thanks to our consistent quality, competitive pricing, and stellar customer service.
Although based in Los Angeles, we deliver our products to clients anywhere in the US through partners across North America. Get in touch with the pros today!