Doormats are a great way to add personality and style to your home.
If you’re thinking about getting one, you might be wondering which outside doormat would be the best choice for your needs. You’d be surprised to know that they’re not all made the same.
Many factors go into making this decision. In this article, we’ll give you some practical advice on what to think about when deciding which outdoor mat is perfect for your doorway!
Whenever you’re ready to learn about the process of finding outside doormats, keep reading.
To Doormat Or Not to Doormat?
The first thing to consider when looking at different kinds of door mats is where they will be placed. If it’s going by an area with heavy foot traffic, durability probably prioritizes appearance since people tend to wipe their boots or shoes off before entering. However, if it’s just used as decoration, choosing something that looks nice and coordinates with your home is more important.
If you place the doormat in front of a business entrance, you should consider how easily one can clean it. You’ll want to consider whether or not the material absorbs water and mud, as well as if any stains can come out.
Doormats that are rubber tend to absorb spills easier than those made from cotton or woven materials since they’re better at trapping dirt and preventing moisture penetration. This means that rubber ones may need washing often while others might last years before needing such treatment.
However, not everybody chooses to do their own cleaning. There is certainly a great convenience in having a specialist clean your doormats. However, this might seem excessive to others.
After all, usually, unless it is stained and ruined, all you need to do is wash it down. Practically all doormats are cleaned easily with a simple solution of water. Some other doormats will require some soap, but even then this is very rare, don’t fret.
Got Pets, Got Problems
If you’ve got pets, then choosing an outdoor doormat for them may also mean considering durability. Pets love hanging around their house’s entrances, especially during the winter when it’s cold outside. However, their nails will shred synthetic materials like plastic, so you’ll need to opt for something more durable like coir.
Finally, if the mat is going in front of a door that leads directly into your home (like near the kitchen), then keeping an eye on how much dirt and dust gets trapped may be vital to you.
You might want to choose one made out of natural fibers which are soft yet absorbent enough to capture particles before they reach inside. Cotton or jute mats can also trap debris while adding some style at the same time!
Once these factors have been considered, choosing between different outdoor doormats becomes easier. There are plenty out there that suit any situation! Take your time and don’t rush your decision-making.
At the end of the day, it’s your personal preference that will determine if the item is befitting your needs. All questions of durability do not precede your personal needs. Of course, it’s always best when your needs align with the qualities that are best for long-term usage.
What Are Outside Doormats Made Of? Which Materials Should You Choose?
Doormats can be made out of various materials, including rubber, plastic, cotton, or jute. Each one has its benefits and disadvantages, so it’s essential to consider your situation before making any final purchase.
Rubber outdoor doormats are terrific for high-traffic entrances. They’re tough enough to withstand regular wear and tear from boots and shoes.
However, the material is more challenging to clean than others. This means you’ll need a lot of water on hand if someone walks through with mud-caked onto their soles.
Rubber absorbs heat very well, leading some people to complain that this kind of mat gets too hot when placed by the front door during summertime! Additionally, these kinds usually cost more than others which is another thing to keep in mind.
Plastic outdoor doormats are relatively inexpensive and very easy to clean. However, the material doesn’t last as long as rubber, cotton or jute so you’ll probably have to buy a new one every other year. Plastic mats also don’t absorb water well, leading them to blow around during windy days.
Many Considerations
If not placed at the right height by doorways, they can be hard on your legs since plastic tends to get slippery when wet. Finally, this kind of mat usually has no aesthetic value like woven ones do, which may make it less desirable depending on where you want it to go.
Cotton and jute doormats are made from soft, natural fibers that absorb both water and dirt. However, they’re not as durable as rubber or plastic, which means you’ll need to replace them more often. These materials also tend to be pricey than others, so one should consider this aspect if budget is a concern at all.
All of these factors come together to help decide exactly what kind of outside doormat would suit your needs best! It’s essential to consider where the mat will go and whether one will use it for heavy traffic before finally deciding on something like an outdoor rug.
Do your research well ahead of time to make sure you’ve got everything covered, no matter how many different types of doormats are available to choose from.
How to Maintain Your Doormats?
Outside doormats need to be maintained for them to last a long time. This means that regular cleaning and care should occur every couple of weeks, depending on where the mat is.
For example, if you place an outdoor rug by your back door leading into the kitchen, it’ll probably get dirty from all sorts of different things like cooking grease and moisture from wet shoes entering through there. In this situation, you may want to take extra measures for aesthetics and hygiene purposes!
For instance, after wiping people’s feet before they enter your home, give the outside area a quick sweep with a broom or vacuum cleaner to remove any large particles left behind. This could eventually damage the fibers over time.
Maintenance is of utmost importance, so make sure that you pay diligent attention to it. You don’t want to waste money on something that you won’t take care of. Be considerate of the things you buy and they will last a much longer time.
Coming & Going
If you place an outdoor mat in front of your door, it will probably get dirty only from people coming and going. In this case, give the area a quick wipe down with some warm water on a rag every few days to remove any excess dirt or salt which can build up over time.
This is especially important during wintertime when snow accumulates onto shoes leaving behind all sorts of grime that might be tracked into your home if left alone for too long!
If there are small spots left after doing this, don’t hesitate to use something like Soft Scrub or another gentle cleanser. This will depend on what’s available at your local supermarket or big box store.
Just think about how much traffic a doormat will see before deciding how often it needs to be cleaned. Also, keep in mind that if you have a pet, they’ll probably make an outdoor rug dirty very quickly.
Thus, going with something like rubber might help cut down on the frequency of maintenance regardless!
Just remember that even though maintaining your outside area can seem tedious at times. Doing this kind of thing regularly will help prolong the life of your mats. Ensure they’re ready for anything when needed most.
Your Doormats Needs to be Attended To
Now that you know everything you need to know to find outside doormats, you are well on your way to enhancing the outside look of your entrances.
You will find that there are many different kinds of doormats to choose from. Some options include woven mats, cotton and jute rugs, rubber or plastic styles, among others which can all be used for various purposes.
It comes down to preference and level of tolerance for maintenance. Some get dirtier than others; some are less slippery than others.
If you’re interested in learning more about exterior/interior design, check out some of our related articles down below.