If you think doormats are only used to welcome your guests into your home, then think again! Outdoor mats are actually an incredibly simple solution to keeping your house cleaner for longer, extending the life of your flooring, and creating an overall healthier environment for your family – and of course, they look great too!

If you’re yet to purchase outdoor mats for your home, then take a quick look at this short guide! We’ve outlined the many benefits of exterior matting, so you can improve both the look and feel of your home at the same time! But shh… don’t tell anyone – it’s top secret!  

Choosing your matting 

Before you can begin to take advantage of their extensive benefits, you need to invest in a quality outdoor mat first!

The material can make all the difference! 

As you’re using your mat outdoors, it’s important that you choose a material that can stand up to our harsh Australian climate, from hot summers through to wet and miserable winters. Consider natural fibres such as coir or woven seagrass, whilst rubber backed matting is waterproof and won’t slip underfoot.

Size DOES matter 

When it comes to outdoor rubber mats, the bigger the better! We recommend a mat that is at least the width of the door, and long enough to fit two steps (when walking). This means your family and guests can’t simply side-step the matting, but must walk across it to enter the house, capturing dirt and mud in the process.

Keep it clean  

This is one secret that many people overlook; your matting can’t work effectively if it isn’t clean! Otherwise, you may be bringing in more dirt than you would have without the mat! Cleaning it once a season is a great way to stay on top of things – we recommend shaking them down, vacuuming over them, or, if it’s rubber, hosing it down and letting it air dry.

Why they are a must-have item 

Now that you’ve picked your perfect mat, you can begin enjoying their varied benefits.

Reduce dirt and bacteria  

The primary function of an outdoor mat is to capture the bulk of dirt and bacteria from your shoes before it can enter your home. As a result, your floors are protected from access grime, and you can create a healthier interior environment for your family.

Not only that, many people don’t consider the bacteria from chemicals used in gardening, car washing, and other day-to-day tasks will also be tracked into their homes – a doormat is a great way to counteract this.  

Keep water at bay 

During wet weather, it isn’t unusual to see muddy footprints coming from the front or back doors. Not only can this be incredibly frustrating, excess water on the flooring can create a slipping hazard!

Spend less time cleaning  

Lastly, by protecting your home from dirt, grime and muddy water, you can expect to spend less time and effort cleaning your flooring. From hardwoods to carpets, all will benefit from reduced grime – and you can sit back and enjoy a cleaner living environment!

As you can see, outdoor mats can be as beneficial as they are attractive, especially if you take the time to select an option that is designed specifically for exterior use. We suggest looking for a functional mat, that way you can be confident you’re making the most out of their wide range of advantages. Otherwise, you might as well place a rug by your backdoor and hope for the best!