Because when they’re full, they stop working! Just like a bucket, an entrance mat can only hold so much dirt and water before it’s full and it’s time to empty it through regular cleaning.
Did you know that approximately 80% of the dirt and moisture that enters a building is on the soles of visitors’ shoes? Fortunately, a well-designed entrance matting system will trap 90% of soil and moisture in the first five or six footsteps!
Quality custom entrance matting not only imparts a polished and professional image to your clients and visitors, but it also helps to extend that positive impression throughout your premises by isolating dirt and moisture, keeping it away from other areas.
Additionally, an effective entrance matting system reduces your time and cost to maintain other flooring surfaces. Flooring surfaces look better and are subjected to less wear and tear when not exposed to the dirt and moisture trapped by entrance matting.
The key to ensuring your entrance matting looks great and performs to the highest possible standard is a routine maintenance (and periodic deep cleaning) program.
Like almost any carpet, routine maintenance begins with – you guessed it – vacuuming!
Regular vacuuming is the most important part of any maintenance program.
Matting should be vacuumed regularly to remove accumulated soil and debris. If built-up dirt is not removed, the matting will become overloaded, and its capacity to trap dirt and moisture will be diminished. Fortunately, vacuuming will remove more than 80% of dry soil on a daily basis.
The Carpet and Rug Institute’s guidelines for vacuuming frequency recommend that high traffic areas should be vacuumed on a daily basis, or more often should the need arise. Moderate traffic areas should be vacuumed as needed, but no less than two to three times per week. Light traffic areas should be vacuumed as needed, but at least once or twice a week. Entrances are almost always considered high traffic areas.
Spot cleaning is another important component of basic matting maintenance. Removal of any spots or spills as quickly as possible will reduce the probability of staining or damage, and will preserve both the efficacy of the matting and its appearance. Blotting a spot or spill with lukewarm water may be all that is required to remove it if it is treated quickly enough.