Help keep dirt and rainwater off your clean floors with a new doormat in your entryway

Doormats, or a welcome mat, can help keep your floors clean as they help remove dirt and debris from shoes before it enters your home. They also absorb wetness to help minimize chances of slips and falls on wet days.

This buying guide highlights the different types of doormat materials available, care and placement considerations.

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Doormat Materials

Choose a doormat with certain features in mind, like surface, the frequency of use and how it will fit into your space.

Material: Aluminum

Protective powder coatings shield against the elements
May have a wide pattern for drainage

Highly durable
Offers a rustic look that’s ideal for doorways near gardens
Available in black, silver, copper, bronze and pewter finishes

Material: Cedar or Mahogany

Stylish appearance

Durable
Wipe or hose down to clean

Material: Coco Brush

Available in a wide range of styles and colours
Natural

Cleans shoes thoroughly
Shake or vacuum to clean
Dries quickly
Resists mildew

Material: Dragon Grass

Natural color
Decorative pattern
Wide weave for drainage

Shake or vacuum to clean

Material: Golden Grass

Tight Weave
Low profile

Shake or vacuum to clean
Ideal for patios and porches

Material: PolyCoir

Dense coco on vinyl back
Low profile

Attractive and durable
Shake or vacuum to clean

Material: Rubber Fatigue

Wide pattern for drainage
Black colour allows for versatile placement

Highly durable
Reduces fatigue from standing
Shake or hose down to clean

Placement

Doormats may be needed at more than one entrance to your home, including the doorway leading in from your garage.

Make sure there is enough clearance for the door so it can open and close freely over the mat.
Some mats weather better than others so plans to replace them periodically.
Darker colours tend to hold their appearance longer than light-coloured mats.
Doormats should be at least 80 percent as wide as the doorway.
When placed in sunny areas, doormats will fade quicker than those in shady areas.

Care

A little TLC will extend the life of your doormat and ensure better performance.

Shake out mats periodically to help remove dirt, dust and dried mud.
Dishwashing liquid soap or upholstery shampoo can help remove stains.
Make sure mats are completely dry before placing back in the doorway.
Vacuuming will help control grime stuck deep within mat fibres.

Features

Nonslip backing: When people are moving their feet to scuff the mud and grime off their shoes, a non-slip rubber backing will help keep the mat in place.

Boot scraper: A couple well-placed boot scrapers on either side of your doormat will help minimize the amount of mud tracked into your home.

Decorative shoe basket: An easy way to prevent mud and dirt from entering your home is with a shoe basket where guests can temporarily store their shoes.