Studies from the ISSA show that a properly designed entryway matting program captures 80-95% of soil and moisture that would otherwise track into the facility. Every pound of soil captured at the door saves an estimated $600 in interior cleaning costs. Yet most facilities under-invest in matting.
The Three-Mat System
Mat 1: Scraper (Exterior)
Coarse rubber or engineered polymer that removes bulk debris. Placed outside the door or in the vestibule.
Mat 2: Scraper/Wiper (Vestibule)
Combination surface that removes remaining debris and begins moisture capture.
Mat 3: Absorbent (Interior)
Deep-pile nylon or olefin that captures fine soil and moisture. Should extend 12-15 feet into the space — enough for six full footsteps.
Rental vs Owned
Weekly-rotated rental service (Cintas, UniFirst, etc.) delivers clean mats and hauls dirty ones. Owned mats cost less long-term but require in-house extraction cleaning every 30-60 days.
Common Mistakes
- Mats too short (under 12 feet total run).
- Mats not lying flat — trip hazard and liability.
- Failure to clean the floor under and around mats.
- Same mat left in place for months without rotation.
Add Matting to Your Program
We coordinate rental mat contracts and adjust interior cleaning frequency to reflect the reduced soil load.