Rubber Brush mat wins Real Simple Magazine contest

Annoucement! Announcement! The StopDirt.com Rubber Brush door mat was crowned victorious by the Real Simple magazine's Doormat Road Test.

The Rubber Brush mat beat all the competition in the outdoor mat category. The mat is excellent for scraping mud and gunk off shoes before it tracks into your rooms.

Real Simple magazine aims to simplify your life -- and cleaning floors is certainly one hassle we'd all like to minimize.

The full article featuring StopDirt.com's Rubber Brush mat comes out in the March issue of Real Simple.

What causes yellow floors underneath mats?

You've probably heard the horror stories -- door mats that cause a staining underneath. The discoloration is usually a yellow or brown color. At Stopdirt.com, we sell only mats with quality rubber or nitrile rubber backings. Our mats will not stain your floors. But what can stain your floors is moisture. Here are some of the moisture culprits:

• Moisture from the ground comes up through the floor until it reaches the floor surface. This moisture normally evaporates and goes unnoticed. Placement of a mat on the floor prevents the evaporation, therefore trapping the moisture, thus causing the discoloration. This seems to be most common at entrances where cold or warm air enters buildings when the door is opened causing condensation (sweating).
• Placement of mats on freshly cleaned and still damp carpet. This prevents carpet from fully drying, thereby causing discoloration.
• Moisture from the back of mats. If not properly dried, the back of mats can be damp, thereby providing moisture to cause discoloration.
• Lack of exposure to sunlight. It is possible to see floors change color when they are covered by counters, file cabinets, etc. This is caused by both lack of exposure to sunlight and restricted airflow.

Avoiding these four moisture trapping situations will prevent discolored floors under your mats. If you already have damaged floor problems, discoloration can usually be removed by stripping and rewaxing. In the case of carpet, professional carpet cleaning is usually required.

The Newest Employee at Wilde Mats

Our newest “employee”, Edie Louise Wilde, has arrived in all her screaming glory. So far, she hasn't proved very helpful at mailing samples or answering the phone... but she makes great background music for all my important phone calls.

Edie was born July 31 and weighs in at 7 lbs 7 oz. Her big brothers and sister are enjoying her (a little too much sometimes....) and we think she's perfect.

Electronic Space Invaders Door Mat

Just when I thought I'd seen it all in the world of door mats, here comes the ultimate nerd's mat. Leave it to the French (La Tete au Cube designed this mat) to come up with a dancing green alien door mat. A great way to flash back to those good old Atari days, but I'm not sure it is worth the $110 price tag.

Rumor has it that these mats are selling fast from CharlesandMarie.com

Is there a season for mats?

Most people would agree that winter with its icy, wet weather is the most important time to protect your floors with door mats. However, even in summer weather, dirt and grime gets tracked through your doorways every day. And if your home is like mine, the ins-and-outs seem to increase in the summer season with better weather outside.

If you are looking to put away your heavy winter mats, that is fine. But to protect your carpet and floors, continue using at minimum a lighter-weight dust removal mat such as the Classic Carpets or similar mat.

Dirt-Stopping Genius! The Waterhog combines with a sticky mat

The Andersen company has outdone itself! I've loved selling Andersen products and the Waterhog mat by Andersen has been my best seller for years. Now, I introduce the Clean Stride. This innovative mat is a piece of dirt stopping genius!

The Clean Stride combines the tried-and-true dirt stopping power of the Waterhog mat on one end. Then the fine-dust and particle grabbing power of a "sticky" mat on the other end.

Here are the stats:
· Provides a WaterHog surface at one end to scrape large particles. Then, the adhesive insert captures smaller dust & dirt.
· With only two footsteps on the Clean Stride adhesive insert, 90% of dirt particles are removed.
· Just peel off one of the 60-layers on the sticky mat, as needed.
· Green friendly rubber backing has 10%-15% recycled rubber.
· Ideal for factories, computer rooms, clean rooms, warehouses, school gymnasiums, healthcare facilities and more.

How can I stop dirt at the door without using an "industrial" looking door mat?

Thanks to some great forward-thinking mat manufacturers, you no longer have to sacrifice style for dirt-stopping door mat coverage.

One of my best sellers for years at StopDirt.com has been the Waterhog. This mat comes with the option of a fabric border to soften the look and make it less industrial appearing. With the Waterhog Classic in the fabric border, however, you lose the famous Waterhog water-dam.

So the Andersen company that makes the Waterhog, now has made an even better option in the Waterhog Premier which is available with the fabric border AND a built in water dam that is incorporated into the fabric's surface pattern.

But your good-looking mat options don't stop there: Check out the Grand Premier mat. This one is available with a beautiful half oval sunburst. It has all the same dirt-stopping power that has made the Waterhog a best seller. But in a beautiful new pattern curved pattern.

So don't fall prey to a "pretty" door mat that is going to be worthless in a few weeks. Choose a top-quality beautiful AND functional mat.

What is the best way to clean my door mat?

If you are like most people, you only think about cleaning your door mat about the same time is starts to look dirtier than your street. In other words, rarely.

But with proper cleaning, your door mat will stop more dirt at your doors and last much longer.

Door Mat Cleaning Tips:

1. If your door mat is made with a nitrile rubber backing (such as those used in commercial mat services) you can toss the mat in the washing machine. Then tumble dry. Use a tiny bit of detergent -- preferably low-sudsing. Then pat yourself on the back for purchasing well!
2. If your mat has a vinyl backing, you can clean it by hosing it off. Take it to the car wash, if it is in really bad shape, and really blast it!
3. If your door mat is all-rubber, again, just hose it off.
4. Most good quality door mats can be spot cleaned with the same treatments sold for carpets. Test a tiny spot first.
5. If you get ground-in gum, use a citrus cleaner or "GU Gone." A good supplier is DE Davis and Co. If you get really desperate, give the mat a little "hair cut" and just trim out the gum.

Always vacuum your door mats between cleanings to keep them working well.

If you have a natural coconut shell or coir door mat, I have bad news for you. There is nothing you can do to clean it. These mats get nasty and moldy over time. Replace your coir door mat with a better one!

How many feet of matting do I need for optimum coverage?

If you have a high traffic entry way (such as a store or office), you can provide the best protection for your floors by following the The 15 Foot Rule

An effective rule-of-thumb for matting applications...

1. 70 to 80% of interior soil is brought into the facility from foot traffic.

2. 15 feet of matting is required to remove the majority of dirt and moisturefrom foot traffic.

3. 15 feet of matting allows each foot to make contact with the matting at least 3 times.

4. A minimum of 15 feet of matting ensures that the majority of soil will be stopped at the entrance.

The best door mats for stopping those pesky dog footprints

If I had a magical dog-paw cleaning mat, I would be a millionaire! This is certainly an issue that many of my dog-loving customers deal with everyday: How to keep floors clean with a dog running in and out all day.

While there is no one "magic dog" door mat, here are a few keys tips to help minimize dirt and grime coming in with the dogs.

First, like any matting situation, you should determine what kind of dirt is coming in the door on your dogs' paws. Do you have a lot of mud and wet debris? Or is it mostly dust and dry dirt?

If you have wet and muddy dirt coming in the door, you'll need an absorbent mat. My best selling absorbent entry mat is the Waterhog. This product will act as a scraper mat (taking large debris off paws and shoes) as well as an absorbent mat.

If you have mostly dry debris coming in with the dogs, you will want a softer, carpet-like mat. Look for one with a twisted yarn top -- like a shag carpet. A mat with a "shag carpet" type surface will grab small, dry dirt. Then the dirt will be sifted to the bottom of the mat, away from the surface, to avoid the dreaded re-track. The dirt will remain on the bottom of the mat until you vacuum or clean it away. A good example of a soft carpet mat is the Classic Carpets mat.

Lastly, just like their lazy human counterparts, dogs usually do not pause to wipe their paws on the mat. So follow this rule of thumb when choosing your door mat-- the larger the better. A little 18" x 27" door mat is going to be nothing but a chew toy in terms of stopping dirt. Aim for the largest mat your area can accept. That way, there is more matting surface to clean those pesky dog paws.

You think door mats aren't exciting?

Most people laugh when I tell them that I sell door mats for a living. You're kidding, right?

No, I'm not kidding. There is good money to be made in door mats. Just think how many doors there are in your home, not to mention all the commercial entrances. Without proper coverage, carpets and finishes can be destroyed. Door mats are such a easy maintenance investment.

I've been an online door mat seller for 6 years. Prior to entering the e-commerce scene, I ran a door mat laundry service. Again, You're kidding, right? is the general reaction I receive. But after eight years in the "dirt" industry, I've learned just about everything there is to know about stopping dirt at your door.

So if you are one of those people who think door mats aren't exciting, here's a little tidbit that just might change your mind: Without entrance matting, 1500 people walking through your door can remove 42% of the finish from the floor.

My marketing guru, Debanjan Ghosh, and I will keep you posted on some exciting changes that will be taking place on our three door mat and flooring websites: StopDirt.com, WorldsBestMats.com and GarageStyle.com

I hope you'll find this website informative, interesting and helpful. I am always open to questions and suggestions. Thanks for visiting.

The Science Behind Placing Mats-Door Mat Placement Guide By Traffic Volume

www.stopdirt.com

Entrance Mats & Tiles
Waterhog Classic= High Traffic
Waterhog Grand Premier = High Traffic
Waterhog Premier = High Traffic
Waterhog Premier Fashion = High Traffic
Waterhog Fashion = High Traffic
Waterhog Drainable = High Traffic
Waterhog Classic Tile = High Traffic
Waterhog Premier Tile = High Traffic
Waterhog DiamondCord = Medium Traffic
Waterhog Masterpiece = Medium Traffic

Interior Mats
Classic Carpets = High Traffic
Classic Solutions = High Traffic
Computuft Logo Mats = High Traffic
Microguard = High Traffic
Classic Creations = High Traffic
Classic Impressions = High Traffic
Masterweave Message Mats = High Traffic

Anti-Slip Mats
Super Scrape =High Traffic
Safety Scrape = High Traffic
Super Scrape Logos = High Traffic

Anti-Fatigue Mats
Comfort Scrape= High Traffic
Anti-Fatigue Mats Comfort Flow = High Traffic
Happy Feet= High Traffic
Hog Heaven =High Traffic
AirFlex - All Rubber = High Traffic
AirFlextra Soft = High Traffic
AirFlex= Medium Traffic
Sure Cushion= Low Traffic

High Traffic:
Entryways of Airports, Hospitals, Department Stores, etc.

Medium Traffic:
Entryways of Doctor's Offices, Boutiques, Small Offices, etc.

Low Traffic:
Infrequently used secondary entrances

THE DIRTY FACTS!!! why do we need mats?

www.stopdirt.com

IMAGE, HOUSEKEEPING COSTS

80% of the dust, dirt and grime in public buildings are tracked in from the outside. (Institute of Industrial Laundries)
Studies show that one square yard of commercial grade carpeting can accumulate one pound of dirt over one week?s period of time and up to twice as much in inclement weather. (International Sanitary Supply Association)
The estimated cost of removing a single pound of dirt from an office building can Exceed $500. (International Sanitary Supply Association)
-We estimate that only about 10% of the dirt is removed from mats with a vacuum Cleaner.? (Georgia State University Test)
-91% of shoppers select a store because of its appearance?. (Progressive Shopper)
Without entrance matting, 1500 people can remove 42% of the finish from the floor. (3M Company)
-It is estimated 90% of building maintenance cost is labor?. (Cleaning Management)

DEPRECIATION, MAINTENANCE
Dirt and dust cause nine out of ten computer systems failures. (Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service)
A buildup of .042 inches of dust on a heating or cooling system can decrease Efficiency by 21%. (Environmental Protection Agency)
CONTAMINATION, SANITATION AND DUST CONTROL
86 billion pounds of dust settle over the U.S. each year. (?All the Real Dirt on Dust?, Discover Magazine, 1986)
About 1out of 5 of Americans are allergic to some component of dust. (Dr. Robert Pumphrey, Washington D.C.)
The Library of Congress has 322 books on dust.
The average six-room dwelling takes in 40 pounds of dust in a year. A private home may have between 800,00 and 1,600,000 tiny bits of dust and particulate matter in every cubic inch of air. (TRSA Report ?Dust Where We Work?)
The University of Wisconsin offers a course on the subject of Dust Control.

SAFETY
Over 30% of worker injuries are slip-related. (Wausau Insurance Company)
The average cost of slip-related injury exceeds $12,000. (Wausau Insurance Company)

Waterhog Premier Mats

Waterhog Premier
Waterhog PremierÔ Mats combine beauty and durability. They are designed to scrape dirt and water off feet from all traffic angles. The original design holds dirt and water below the surface to keep it from tracking. The Waterhog PremierÔ also features:
Rugged construction of heavy-weight fabric and durable cleated rubber backing.
25% heavier than the regular waterhog mat.
Exclusive "Water Dam" that holds up to 1 1/2 gallons of water per square yard
Anti-Static polypropylene fabric that dries quickly and won't fade or rot, even outdoors.
Your choice of fabric or rubber border.