1

Vacuum Regularly

The single most important thing you can do. Vacuum entrance mats daily in high-traffic areas, weekly in lower-traffic spots. This prevents dirt from embedding deeper into the fibers.

2

Clean Underneath

Lift your mats every few weeks and clean the floor beneath them. Trapped dirt under a mat acts like sandpaper on your floor finish and can cause the mat to shift.

3

Clean Underneath

After any wet cleaning, always let mats dry completely before putting them back. A damp mat breeds mold, mildew, and odor — and can make the floor underneath slippery.

4

Never Fold — Always Roll

When moving or storing mats, roll them loosely with the top side facing out. Folding creates permanent creases that become trip hazards and damage the backing.

5

Spot Clean Immediately

Address stains as soon as they happen. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. Use a mild detergent — never bleach — and a soft-bristle brush.

6

Rotate High-Traffic Mats

If you have multiple mats of the same type, rotate their positions periodically. This distributes wear evenly and extends the life of all your mats.

Routine Care:
Vacuum daily in high-traffic entrances, weekly for secondary doors. Use a two-motor commercial vacuum with the brush adjusted down — the dirt hides below the surface in WaterHog mats, so slower passes at a deeper setting work best. Shake mats out outdoors periodically to dislodge trapped debris from the water dam borders.

Deep Cleaning::
Hose off with a garden hose or light pressure washer (keep nozzle 12+ inches from the surface). A mild detergent or carpet cleaner can be used for stubborn stains — apply with a soft-bristle brush, let sit 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. WaterHog mats can also be cleaned with a hot water carpet extractor for the deepest clean. Hang to dry or lay flat in a ventilated area. Never put back in service while damp.

Important:
No bleach. No petroleum-based cleaners. These damage the rubber backing and polypropylene fibers. WaterHog mats are solution-dyed, so you don't need to worry about color fading from normal cleaning.

Routine Care:
Sweep or vacuum the surface daily to remove loose dirt and debris. In kitchen environments, wipe down the surface at the end of each shift to prevent grease buildup. For mats with drainage holes, make sure the holes stay clear — food particles and debris can clog them over time.

Deep Cleaning::
Use mild soap or detergent with warm water (120-140°F — not hotter). Scrub gently with a soft-bristle brush or deck brush. Rinse thoroughly with a hose. Never machine wash anti-fatigue mats — the mechanical agitation damages the cushioned core. Lay flat to dry completely before returning to service.

Important:
Never use degreasers, bleach, solvents, or any cleaner with a pH above 9.5 — these break down the nitrile rubber and foam layers. Never steam clean. Never fold when storing — always roll loosely. Keep heavy equipment (carts, chairs, pallet jacks) off anti-fatigue mats to prevent permanent compression.

Routine Care:
Vacuum regularly, just like any entrance mat. Logo mats are printed or inlaid onto the same high-performance mat surfaces as standard entrance mats, so they handle the same cleaning routine. The logos are built into the fiber — they won't vacuum off.

Deep Cleaning::
Same process as entrance mats: hose off with water, use a mild detergent for stains, scrub gently with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly, and air dry. For inlaid logo mats, the colors are part of the carpet fiber itself — they're extremely durable. For printed logo mats, avoid abrasive scrubbing directly on the printed area.

Important:
No bleach, no petroleum products, no harsh solvents. These can affect both the mat backing and the logo appearance over time. If your logo mat is looking worn after heavy use, it may be time for a replacement — we keep your original design on file for easy reordering.

Routine Care:
In wet environments like kitchens and pool areas, rinse slip-resistant mats with clean water at the end of each day to remove grease, food particles, and chemical residue. For mats with drainage holes, flip them periodically and rinse the underside to clear trapped debris. Sweep or vacuum dry-environment slip-resistant mats just like entrance mats.

Deep Cleaning::
Scrub with a mild detergent or degreaser (pH between 4-9) and warm water using a deck brush. For kitchen mats specifically, a food-safe degreaser works well. Rinse thoroughly — any soap residue left on a slip-resistant mat can actually make it slippery. Air dry completely.

Important:
The slip-resistant properties of these mats depend on the surface texture and material being intact. Abrasive scrubbing, harsh chemicals, or high-heat steam can degrade the traction surface. If a mat no longer feels grippy when wet, it needs replacing — a worn slip-resistant mat is worse than no mat at all.

Routine Care:
Vacuum or shake out daily. Restroom mats see constant moisture, so it's important to lift them regularly and let both the mat and the floor underneath dry out. This prevents moisture from getting trapped and causing odor or mold growth.

Deep Cleaning::
Clean with a mild detergent and warm water. Restroom mats are designed to withstand the cleaning chemicals typically used in commercial restrooms, but avoid prolonged soaking in harsh chemicals. Rinse thoroughly and air dry. The antimicrobial treatment is built into the mat material — it doesn't wash off with normal cleaning.

Important:
Even with antimicrobial treatment, restroom mats should be replaced more frequently than other mat types due to the high-moisture environment. If a mat develops persistent odor even after deep cleaning, it's time for a new one.

Routine Care:
For permanent-placement absorbent mats, check saturation levels regularly. When a mat feels heavy or is visibly saturated with oil or fluid, it's reached capacity and needs cleaning or replacement. Sweep loose debris off the surface daily.

Deep Cleaning::
For washable absorbent mats, wring out excess fluid and wash with a mild industrial detergent and warm water. Rinse thoroughly and hang to dry. Some absorbent mat products are designed for single-use and should be disposed of according to local regulations once saturated — check the product specs.

Important:
Saturated absorbent mats are a slip hazard. Don't let them stay in service past their absorption capacity. For mats absorbing oil or chemicals, follow your facility's hazardous waste disposal guidelines. Never wring oil-saturated mats into floor drains.

1

Curling or Lifted Edges

Edges that won't lay flat are a trip hazard. If the edges curl even after cleaning and flattening, the mat's structural integrity is compromised.

2

Fibers Are Matted or Compressed

When entrance mat fibers are permanently flattened, they can no longer scrape and trap dirt effectively. The mat looks worn and performs poorly.

3

Backing Has Lost Its Grip

If the mat slides on the floor even after cleaning underneath, the rubber backing has worn smooth. A sliding mat is a liability.

4

Anti-Fatigue Mats Feel Flat

When the cushion compresses permanently and no longer springs back, the mat isn't providing fatigue relief. Your employees can tell the difference.

5

Persistent Odor After Deep Cleaning

If a mat smells even after thorough cleaning and complete drying, bacteria or mold has penetrated the material. Replace it — no amount of cleaning will fix this.