Winter is a season where dirt, snow, and slush constantly find their way into our buildings. All sound facility managers, be they commercial, residential or institutional, know that winter carpets play a major role in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring the safety of occupants. are a key factor in keeping premises clean and safe for occupants. Choosing the right mats, combining them correctly and maintaining them regularly are all vital steps. Not only do these mats help protect floors, they also considerably reduce cleaning costs and minimize the risk of accidents. Adopting good winter matting practices also extends the life of your infrastructure, while improving indoor air quality.

Importance of Winter Carpets
Winter carpets are not just a matter of comfort or aesthetics; they are the first line of defense against the dirt and moisture that can seep into your building. Here are a few reasons why they are an absolute must:
Accident Prevention: Snow and molten water carried in by the soles of boots and shoes can render floors slippery, increasing the risk of falls. Carpets absorb much of this moisture, reducing the risk of accidents. In winter, slips and falls account for about 20% of all workplace injuries caused by slippery surfaces, costing businesses millions of dollars in insurance claims and lost work time. Additionally, in 2015, the medical costs of winter-related slips and falls reached $50 billion, with more than 800,000 hospitalizations due to these injuries, mostly hip and head traumas.
Floor Protection: Salt, snow, and gravel can easily damage hard floors and carpeted flooring, causing scratches, premature wear, and discoloration. A good entrance mat will act as a barrier, capturing these contaminants before they damage your floor surfaces. According to a study by the ISSA, the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, a 15-foot entry mat (about 4.5 meters) can trap 80% to 90% of dirt and moisture brought in by foot traffic. This protection not only reduces floor wear but also lowers long-term cleaning costs by preventing dirt from spreading throughout the building. Additionally, it is estimated that 1,000 people can track in up to 24 pounds (about 11 kg) of dirt into a building in just 20 days without effective matting systems in place, emphasizing the crucial importance of these protective measures for preserving floors and extending their lifespan.
Reduced Maintenance Costs: By capturing most of the dirt and moisture at the entrance, you not only reduce the risk of slips but also the cleaning costs. According to the same ISSA study, it would cost approximately $600 to remove each pound of dirt, which represents a staggering $14,400 over 20 days. This breaks down to about 0,72 $ per person to clean up the dirt they bring in. Installing entry mats drastically cuts these cleaning costs by capturing up to 90% of dirt at the entrance.
Choosing the Right Entrance Carpet
Choosing the right mats depends on the type of building, the number of visitors, and local weather conditions. Here are some key factors to consider:
Absorption Capacity: Winter mats need to absorb a significant amount of moisture. Look for mats with a high absorption capacity that prevent water from pooling on the surface.
Durability: A winter mat should withstand heavy foot traffic without wearing out quickly. Opt for durable materials like nylon or reinforced rubber.
Proper Size: To be effective, an entry mat should be large enough for visitors to walk on it for several steps before entering the building. This allows the mat to absorb most of the dirt and moisture trapped in soles of shoes and boots.
Ease of Maintenance: Choose mats that are easy to clean, either through machine washing or industrial vacuuming.
Different Types of Winter Mats
There are several types of mats, each with specific features suited to different situations:
Scraper Mats: Placed outside the entrance, these mats are designed to remove dirt and coarse debris from shoes, such as snow, gravel, and salt residues.
Absorbent Mats: Often installed right at the entrance, these mats are made from materials capable of absorbing water and melted snow, preventing moisture from spreading indoors.
Anti-Slip Mats: In addition to absorbing moisture, these mats are designed to prevent slips, providing a safe surface for occupants even in extreme winter conditions.
Modular Mats: These mats are commonly used in large buildings with heavy traffic. They are made up of interchangeable sections, allowing you to replace damaged or worn sections without having to replace the entire mat.
Mix and Match for Maximum eEfficiency
For optimal results, it is often recommended to combine several types of mats to create an effective transition zone between the outside and the interior of the building. Here is a widely used strategy:
Zone 1: Outdoor Scraper – Install an outdoor scraper mat to remove coarse dirt and debris.
Zone 2: Transition Mat – Place an absorbent mat just inside the door to capture any remaining moisture and clean the soles of shoes.
Zone 3: Finishing Mat – In high-traffic areas, add an anti-slip or modular mat in the hallways or main corridors for extra protection and to reduce the risk of slips.
Proper Maintenance is Kkey
Even the best mats will only be effective if properly maintained. Follow these tips to keep your mats in good condition throughout the season:
Regular Vacuuming: Dirt, sand, and debris can accumulate swiftly on mats. Regular vacuuming, at least once a day in high-traffic areas, is important to prevent dirt from embedding in the fibers.
Deep Cleaning: For a thorough cleaning of winter carpets, you should take care to remove calcium (calcium chloride), a product commonly used to de-ice entryways, but which can leave a whitish residue on carpets and damage their fibers if not treated properly. Here's how to effectively clean calcium-soaked carpets:
Preliminary Vacuuming: Before any wet cleaning, start by vacuuming the mat to remove dust, solid dirt, and accumulated debris. This prepares the surface for calcium stain removal.
Salt Neutralizer: As calcium is alkaline, we recommend the use of a salt-neutralizing product specially formulated to remove salt and calcium residues. These products contain mildly acidic agents that dissolve and neutralize minerals while not damaging carpet fibers. Apply the product according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually using a sprayer or mop. Some salt neutralizers work best when used in hot water solution.
Clear Water Rinse: After allowing the neutralizer to work for a few minutes, rinse the mat thoroughly with clear water to remove any excess product and dissolved residues. Use an extraction machine (if available) to vacuum up the water and contaminants, or use a clean cloth to blot the surface and absorb excess moisture.
Proper Drying: Make sure the mat is thoroughly dried after cleaning to prevent mold and prolong its durability. If possible, hang the mat or use fans to speed up the drying process.
Replacing Worn Sections: In the case of modular mats, replace sections that show signs of wear to ensure they maintain their effectiveness.
Entrance Mats Lead to LEED Certification
Entry mats play a major role for buildings aiming for LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). As part of the indoor environmental quality criteria, one key aspect is the control of contaminants at the entrance. LEED-certified buildings must adhere to certain requirements to ensure the reduction of external contaminants, which includes the use of specific entry mats.
LEED Requirements for Entry Mats: To meet LEED standards, buildings must install entry mats at least 3 meters (10 feet) long at all main entrances that lead from the exterior into interior spaces. These mats should be long enough to capture the majority of contaminants (dirt, dust, water, etc.) before occupants enter the building, contributing to a cleaner indoor environment and improved air quality.
Seasonal Recommendation : While LEED requires the presence of permanent mats at building entrances for optimal year-round effectiveness, it is recommended to adjust the type of mats according to the season. For instance, during winter, thicker and more absorbent mats are ideal for capturing moisture, snow, and salt, whereas lighter mats suffice in summer for managing dust and dirt. This seasonal adaptation helps to maintain mat effectiveness, reduce excessive wear, and optimize their maintenance.
Regular Maintenance : Additionally, LEED-certified mats must be maintained regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt, which is crucial to ensuring their longevity and effectiveness in filtering contaminants. Frequent cleaning, especially during the winter months, is essential to ensure they continue to serve as an effective barrier against outdoor pollutants.
Conclusion
Entrance mats play a fundamental role in maintaining cleanliness and safety in your building all year long but mostly during winter. By choosing the right types of mats, combining them strategically, and ensuring regular maintenance, you can protect your floors, reduce cleaning costs, and guarantee the safety of occupants. At ValkarTech, we are here to help you optimize the efficiency of your maintenance operations. Feel free to contact us for more advice or to discover our innovative building management solutions!
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