Hello friends and welcome to another edition of The Neighborhood! If you have a beach home or a vacation rental, then this blog is especially for you. In this edition, we’re going to outline the benefits of implementing a two-mat system to combat enemy #1 at the beach: SAND. We also have a more in-depth article about indoor doormats that you can read here: Just Inside the Door: A Fresh Look at Indoor Door Mats.
There’s a reason why companies like grocery stores, restaurants, and retail operations will spend tens of thousands of dollars on multi-mat systems in high-traffic areas; it’s because they work! And you can implement a similar model on a smaller scale to experience the same benefits for the floors in your home.
The Two-Mat Solution: Keeping Sand Where It Belongs
Picture this: you’ve just spent the perfect day at the beach, the sun is setting, and you’re ready to head back to your cozy vacation home. But as soon as you walk through the door, you’re hit with the gritty reality—sand, everywhere. It’s in your shoes, your clothes, and worst of all, it’s threatening to make its way into your bedsheets. But fear not! With a simple two-mat system, you can keep that pesky sand right where it belongs—outside and not in your bed.
The All-Weather Outdoor Doormat: Your First Line of Defense
The first part of this dynamic duo is the all-weather outdoor doormat. Think of this mat as the bouncer at the door of your vacation home. Its job? To stop sand in its tracks before it even has a chance to cross the threshold.
This mat needs to be tough, durable, and ready to take on the elements.
Whether it’s the blazing sun, a sudden rain shower, or the relentless onslaught of sandy feet, an all-weather mat is designed to withstand it all. The best mats all-weather outdoor doormats will feature a bi-level design that effectively scrapes and filters sand to the bottom of the mat. The textured surface of the mat ensures that even the tiniest grains of sand get caught before they can hitch a ride into your home. And of course, any doormat worth a grain sand err salt (hey-oh!) will always be backed by rubber.
Shameless plug, the WaterHog doormats we manufacture and sell were the first ever doormats to feature a bi-level design and are still , in our not-so-humble-opinion, the best outdoor door mats you can buy.
The Inside Doormat: The Final Barrier
Now, let’s talk about the second half of this unbeatable team—the inside doormat. This mat is strategically placed just inside the door, acting as the final barrier between the outdoors and your pristine indoor space. If the outdoor mat is the bouncer, then the indoor mat is the security check—making sure nothing unwanted sneaks past.
The inside doormat should be soft yet effective, designed to pick up any stray
grains of sand that managed to evade the outdoor mat. Materials like microfiber or plush cotton can work, but they often turn into soggy messes, and don’t even get us started on coco mats. We will always recommend indoor doormats that are made with recycled PET, polyester, or polypropylene as they’re great at trapping fine particles and moisture. This mat not only stops the sand but also provides a comfortable place to step, especially if you’re entering barefoot.
Why This Two-Mat System Works Wonders
So, why is this two-mat system so effective at keeping sand out of your bedsheets? It’s all about layered protection. By having both an outdoor and indoor mat working together, you’re doubling your defense against sand. The outdoor doormat catches the bulk of the sand before it even enters your home, while the indoor doormat takes care of any lingering particles, ensuring they don’t spread further.
This approach is especially effective for beachside vacation homes where sand is a constant companion. Instead of spending your time sweeping, vacuuming, and shaking out your bedding, you can relax knowing that your door mats are doing the hard work for you.
Keeping Your Mats in Tip-Top Shape
Of course, for this system to work its magic, you need to keep your doormats in good condition. Regularly shake out or hose down the outdoor mat to get rid of accumulated sand and debris. As for the indoor mat, give it a good shake or vacuum, and if it’s super sandy take it down and give it a good hosing off with high pressure water. Keeping your door mats clean ensures they remain effective sand-stoppers and prolongs their lifespan.
PSA – for the love of AC Slater please don’t throw a doormat full of sand in your washing machine, even if the company you bought it from says it’s machine washable. The point is to try and keep sand out of your unmentionables, not add more. You know what I mean.
Beyond Mats: Other Tips to Keep Sand Out
While mats are undoubtedly your best defense against sand, combining them with other strategies can make your efforts even more effective. Here are some additional tips to help keep your vacation home sand-free:
Why a Sand-Free Home Matters
You might wonder why so much effort should be put into keeping sand out of your vacation home. After all, isn’t sand part of the beach experience? While that’s true, sand inside your home can cause several issues beyond just a gritty floor.
Sand is abrasive, and over time, it can cause wear and tear on your floors and furniture. Whether you have hardwood, tile, or carpeted floors, sand particles can scratch surfaces, dull finishes, and even damage fabric. By keeping sand out, you’re not just maintaining cleanliness—you’re preserving the quality of your home’s interiors.
The Long-Term Benefits of Sand Control
Beyond the immediate benefits of a cleaner home, keeping sand out has long-term advantages. For one, it reduces the time and effort you’ll need to spend on cleaning, freeing you up to enjoy your vacation. It also means less wear and tear on your home, which can save you money on repairs and maintenance in the long run.
Final Thoughts: The Sweet Satisfaction of Sand-Free Bedsheets
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as slipping into a bed with crisp, clean sheets after a long day at the beach. With the two-mat system in place, you can rest easy knowing that the sand stays where it belongs—outside. No more gritty surprises under the covers, just a peaceful, relaxing night’s sleep.
In the end, the key to a sand-free vacation home is as simple as one, two—two mats, that is. So next time you’re gearing up for a beach day, don’t forget to set the stage for a sand-free return. Your bedsheets (and your sanity) will thank you!
We like to give you, the reader, a little info as to who we are. At Matterly, our history is deeply rooted in matting and floor coverings; like 6 decades deep. From where we sit as we type out this article, a quick walk through one set of doors leads out to a manufacturing plant floor where thousands of floor mats are made every day. We’re making rubber, we’re extruding fibers, we’re printing on textiles, and it’s all being done right here in America.
