How to Clean Dirt Trapper Mats

In any business, some surfaces are fairly easy to keep clean, such as the walls, checkout counter, and doors. And then there are others which are designed to get dirty, like a burger grill, an oil or grease pan in an auto shop, or the lint trap in a clothes cleaner. Though the surfaces in this latter category don’t have to kept spotless at all times, they should still be cleaned on a regular basis in order to keep the business functioning smoothly.

A dirt-trapping entry mat falls into the latter category. They’re designed to grab all the dirt, debris and grime off your shoes, so visitors don’t track into the foyer or lobby. However, this builds up over time, and eventually, the mat will become so saturated that it can’t trap any more. Once you’ve found the best doormat for trapping dirt, clean it regularly using our tips and advice for the best performance.

Cleaning Rubber Mats

Many dirt trapper mats (like the SuperScrape from Ultimate Mats) are manufactured partially or completely from rubber, which is a durable, all-weather material that resists deterioration over time. Depending on the amount of traffic and outside weather conditions, rubber mats may not need to be cleaned every day, but you should probably rinse them off at least once a week. An ordinary garden hose will work fine for most loose dust and debris.

To get rid of dirt and other substances, you can take a brush or broom and scrub the mat thoroughly (don’t be afraid to use elbow grease!). A mild detergent or a degreaser without butyl in it can be combined with hot water and used as a cleaner. Then rinse the entire mat with low- or medium-pressure hot water and allow it to air dry.

Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to use bleach, butyl-based degreasing products, or other chemicals on dirt stopper mats. While certain chemicals are formulated for use on rubber, most will eat away at the surface and shorten the mat’s lifespan. Consult the product label if you are unsure. If the mat has a fabric surface, you should also never use any sort of fabric conditioner, as this can reduce the mat’s dirt-trapping effectiveness.

Cleaning WaterHog Mats

WaterHog entry mats are water-trapping mats as well as dirt trappers. They also have a much deeper subsurface than standard rubber mats so they can handle heavier foot traffic. Both of these elements must be considered when doing maintenance. The approach to cleaning a WaterHog outdoor mat largely depends on whether the mat is dry or wet. If the WaterHog is simply dirty and hasnt soaked up any water, a regular dual-speed vacuum cleaner on the lowest setting to the ground may be sufficient to pull the dirt out of the mat. In cases where the mat is fairly wet, a self-contained brush and extraction system would probably work more effectively. If the WaterHog exhibits persistent crusty stains from salt, soaking it in hot or warm water for thirty minutes or more should loosen them up. If you do happen to see some stains on your WaterHog, it is colorfast enough for you to utilize standard spot-cleaning solutions to clean the affected areas.

Keep Your Entry Mats Clean

If you have questions about how best to clean your dirt trapper or water trapper mat, Ultimate Mats can assist you with whatever you might need. Our expert customer service team has additional tips that cover all sorts of situations they’ve seen. If you find that you need a new dirt trapper mat, there are several types of WaterHogs and SuperScrape mats to choose from, including logo display options and fashion mats. Contact Ultimate Mats today!