Hiring professional cleaners to ensure that your facility stays clean is a smart move, but you also need to know various ways in which you can help maintain the cleanliness in your establishment. This is where entrance mats come in. These mats (also known as walk off mats) come in many different shapes and sizes. If you want your building to stay clean, you need to ensure that there’s an entrance mat at every door.
Advantages of using Entrance Mats
1) You can’t ask people to take off their shoes.
According to studies by ISSA (the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association), about 80% of all the contaminants affecting any facility comes from the shoes of people in the building. Now you can’t exactly ask your visitors to take off their shoes before they go into the building. By having entrance mats at every door, you ensure that they have a way to wipe their shoes before entering.
2) Appearance and Cleanliness.
Entrance mats help to keep floors clean by trapping dirt, mud, and debris before it can be tracked into the building. This reduces the amount of cleaning that needs to be done, and also helps to prevent the spread of germs. Mats can help improve indoor air quality by capturing and trapping dust, pollen, and other allergens that may be present on shoes. This can be beneficial for individuals with allergies or respiratory sensitivities, creating a healthier environment within your office.
3) Safety enhancement.
Entrance mats can improve safety by reducing the risk of slips, trips, and falls. They provide a stable and slip-resistant surface, especially when designed with anti-slip backing or materials. Mats also help absorb moisture, preventing wet floors that can be hazardous. This is particularly important during rainy or snowy weather when floors can become slippery.
According to the National Floor Safety Institute in this paper, “more than 3 million food service employees and over 1 million guests are injured annually as a result of restaurant slips and falls.” Clearly, slipping is a danger that’s quite common. With an entrance mat at every doorstep, you minimize the risk of people slipping as they enter your building.
Rain is also a nightmare for those trying to keep a building clean. With rain comes wet shoes and muddy floors. If you have an entrance mat welcoming guests at every doorway, you don’t have to worry about rain and getting your floors dirty.
4) Mats can be useful and decorative at the same time.
What some people forget is that doormats don’t have to be plain and ugly. You can be as decorative as you want to be, matching the entrance mat with the decor of your office or giving your visitors a sneak peek of what they can expect inside. Mats imprinted with your company logo or branding add a touch of professionalism. They can enhance the professional look of your entrance and create a positive first impression for visitors.
5) Floor Protection from Damage.
With well-placed entrance mats, you can prevent interior floor damage by protecting your floor surfaces. By trapping dirt, moisture, and other debris from shoes, entrance mats help protect your floors from damage. Mats prevent abrasive particles from scratching or wearing down the flooring material. This can help extend its lifespan and reduce maintenance costs. Mats also provide a barrier against spills, reducing the risk of stains or damage to the flooring underneath.
6) It can help you with bacteria regulation.
Some doormats are infused with microbe-killing powers that help with bacteria regulation. So not only do you keep your rooms visually clean, you also keep them clean on a microorganism level.
Here are some additional tips for choosing the right entrance mat for your office building:
- Consider the foot traffic: The amount of foot traffic in your building will determine the size and type of entrance mat you need. If you have a lot of foot traffic, you will need a larger mat with a more aggressive pattern.
- Think about the climate: If you live in an area with a lot of rain, you need a mat that is made from a durable material that can withstand the elements.
- Consider the budget: Entrance mats can range in price from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. Choose a mat that fits your budget and your needs.
- Consider the design: Entrance mats come in a variety of designs, so you can choose one that fits the style of your office building. Have your logo or other branding elements printed on the mat.
When choosing entrance mats, opt for durable and easy-to-clean materials. Regularly clean and maintain the mats to ensure their effectiveness in trapping dirt and moisture. Consider placing additional mats in high-traffic areas or where spills are more likely to occur. For instance, near coffee stations or water coolers and in front of the break-room sink.
Overall, entrance mats are a practical investment that can help maintain cleanliness, protect your floors, enhance safety, and create a welcoming environment for everyone entering your office.
