Doormats

Indoor or outdoor doormat

Practical and decorative, the doormat dresses up an entrance door while limiting the spread of outside dirt inside your home. This small accessory is essential for the hygiene of your floors and your home. Doormats come in a wide range of materials and colors. Are you still hesitating? Here are a few tips on how to buy and maintain the ideal doormat to keep your home clean.

What are the advantages of having a doormat in front of your home?

The doormat is thought to be of French origin, since its inventor Gustave Arnaud was the first to come up with the idea of weaving coconut fibers together to make a door mat. Thanks to the strength and solidity of the fibers, he could remove his shoes and dust before entering his apartments. The undeniable advantage of the doormat is its hygienic properties.

What's more, thanks to the inventiveness of modern manufacturers, it's highly decorative and can nicely dress up a doorstep or deliver a humorous welcome message. You can also get away from the classic black or brown colors. When damp outside, it traps water in its fibers, preventing your floors from getting dirty.

Choosing the right mat size

Generally speaking, doormats are rectangles measuring 45x75 cm. This makes them suitable for most doorsteps, while remaining fairly discreet. However, it is possible to depart from the rule and opt for an arched doormat to give your entrance a more modern, designer look. Others prefer a square doormat, or one with smaller dimensions to fit a French window opening onto a terrace or balcony.

Before you buy your doormat, remember to measure your driveway, French windows or bay windows.

What material should you choose for your doormat?

Depending on the material, doormats offer different properties.

• Coconut fiber: very strong and hard-wearing, coconut fiber offers a doormat that's both highly effective at removing dirt and dust, and very sturdy. Coir fibers absorb moisture well and are recommended for indoor use.
• Rubber can be used indoors and outdoors: it performs well and is easy to clean.
• Nylon fiber brush mat: very effective for scraping shoe soles, nylon fiber absorbs much less moisture than coconut fiber.
• Decorative doormats in linen, wool or bamboo are very attractive, but not recommended for repeated use, as they quickly become damaged.

How do I clean my doormat?

Remember to clean your doormat once a week with hot water, detergent and a scrubbing brush. If the mat is very dirty, a little ammonia should restore its original beauty. Finally, for a deep clean, sprinkle with washing powder and bicarbonate. Leave overnight and vacuum up.