Walk Off and Entrance Mats for your Stone Floors

By Frederick M. Hueston, stoneforensics.com

Marble and other stone flooring have long been prized as a symbol of elegance and wealth. However, the cold, hard truth is that if not handled carefully, they can be just that—cold and hard, not to mention expensive to replace. Walk off or entrance mats are necessary to protect your marble/stone floors from stains and scratches, prevent rugs from slipping, and add protection and cushioning.

To prevent slipping on marble/stone floors, walk off mats backing needs significant gripping force. Be sure to look for backing made of natural rubber rather than synthetic adhesives and glues, which can stick to and stain floors, to protect your priceless marble/stone floors and keep mats firmly in place. Natural rubber naturally and securely attaches to carpets and floors, whether used alone or in combination with felt. Heat-pressed felt, which delivers a blend of grip and cushion when paired with natural rubber, is also naturally long-lasting.

Keeping your Walk Off Mats Clean

Every floor mat needs to be cleaned frequently. However, this is particularly crucial for entrance floor mats. Entrance floormats are frequently subjected to highly adverse weather and environmental circumstances. This occurs as a result of the installation of entrance mats across the doorway. Others are positioned right outside the door, while others are placed right within the house. The doorway is covered with additional entrance mats that stretch both inside and outside the house or building. As a result, more dirt and moisture are present on the mat because it is exposed to exterior weather and environmental factors. The heavy use is another justification for routine entrance mat cleaning. Anyone entering your house or office building must tread on and scrape on the welcome mat. This implies that a lot of dirt, muck, wetness, and debris are collected by entrance mats. To make your entrance floor mats more practical and to maintain your building clean, you should give them a thorough cleaning.

Also don’t forget the underside. Many walk off mats can accumulate moisture under them and this can cause staining on the stone floor. You should remove the mats regularly and clean and dry the underside.

There are many types of mats available so be sure to check with your local janitorial supplier for recommendations. Even the best mats if not properly cleaned can damage stone floor so make sure to regularly clean these mats and if they are worn replace them.