Matterly doormats and floor mats are easy to care for, like this Un-Rug machine washable accent rug.
The Neighborhood

Mat Care Guide

Care & Tips for Your Matterly Mat

A Little Mat TLC...

Your new floor mat needs love too! Now granted it's not a child or a pet but, from time to time, you may need a little guidance on how to best care for your Matterly doormat. This guide is here to help by providing basic how to's and answers on common questions and occurrences you may encounter. 

As always, if you cannot find what you're looking for in this guide, don't hesitate to contact via the "chat with us" button below or by emailing us via care@mymatterly.com.

New Mat Owner Questions

My new Matterly mat just arrived! But it won't lay flat; is it defective?

Great question! No, this is a very common occurence due to the nature of rubber. Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure your Matterly mat lays flat.

  • Sometimes all your mat needs to do is relax! Bring it indoors and allow it to warm up to room temperature, or place rubber-side up in direct sunlight for approx 10-20 minutes, then execute the reverse roll method shown below.
  • Use caution if placing in direct sunlight; it will get hot if exposed for too long.
So this reverse roll method, it will make my mat lay flat?

The premise is pretty straightforward, simply roll in the opposite direction of the curl or hump.

99% of the time the reverse roll method will alleviate those pesky corners and sections that don't want to lay flat. If you continue to have issues, please contact Matterly Customer Service so we can work to find a solution.

Just roll with it...

Check out this clip to see how to reverse roll your mat and eliminate those pesky curls. Remember it works best when your mat is room temperature.

My mat has a strong rubber smell when I opened my box - will this go away?

Another great question. It is normal for a new mat to have a slight odor to it (much like new tennis shoes). This is due to the "off-gassing" of rubber, and will typically go away in a day or two after being out of the box.

I feel like I need to constantly clean my Matterly mats because of dirt and debris showing; is this normal?

Honestly, yes, and it's a good thing. This means your Matterly floor mat is working! It's doing its job by trapping and containing all the wet, dirty, and gross things that would otherwise be tracked across your home.

We'd recommend doing this every few weeks

I have new floors, do I need to wait before putting my Matterly mat down?

Great question. All new floors should be completely cured before placement of any floor covering, including rugs and mats.

Your installer may have further recommendations as well to ensure the safety and well-being of your floors.

How often should I pick up, and clean my mat?

Believe it or not, it's a good idea to pick up your mats from time to time, and let your floors get some fresh air.

Regardless of your floor type, it's good practice to pick up your floor mat every few weeks in order to clean not just your mat, but also the flooring underneath your mat.

Always make sure your mat and floors are completely dry before placing your Matterly mat on your floors.

WaterHog & Neighburly Cleaning Tips

Whats the best way to clean my Matterly doormat?

Well it depends on the what and how much. See below for specifics.

What's the best way to clean my mat from dust, dirt, leaves, and sand?

The tried and true method is to take your mat into the yard or similar and simply shake vigorously until the bulk of the debris is gone. You can also sweep or use your household vacuum as it will not hurt your Matterly mat.

We've been experiencing a lot of wet weather, and there's been a lot mud and muck tracked on my mat. How do I clean?

The best way to clean the mud and muck is to shake the loose debris first, and then rinse your mat thoroughly with a simple garden hose.

Always allow your mat to air dry completely before putting back in place.

I have some pretty stubborn stains that I'm having trouble with, how do I get them out?

Things like red clay and wine can be problematic and will stain most fabrics and textiles, but have no fear! Follow the same steps as above, but after an initial rinse, apply an adequate amount of your favorite spot remover (no bleach though!) or mild detergent. Take a soft bristled brush or rag to rub the solution in, and wait about 10-15 minutes and thoroughly rinse again. Allow to air dry before replacing.

Check out the video below for a real life stain removal in action!

Image of the easy-to-clean Neighburly and WaterHog Luxe Mats.
Play

Oh Mama Mia...

Spaghetti sauce on a light colored mat!?!? Sure to leave a terrible stain, right?

Not to worry friends...

What about using a stronger cleaning solution, like bleach?

No! Please do not use bleach. Harsh chemicals like bleach can adversly affect the materials found in your Matterly mat.

It probably goes without saying, but we're going to anyway. It is also important to keep your Matterly mat clear from any petroleum based liquids as they will negatively affect the rubber backing.

Can I use a pressure washer on my Matterly mat?

Oh yeah, and this is where our competition runs. Just follow these basic rules and your Matterly doormat will look brand new!

  • Apply mild detergent prior to pressure washing
  • Use a 40° nozzle (white)
  • Do not exceed 2000 psi
  • Keep the nozzle 8 inches or further away from the surface you are cleaning.
  • Allow to air dry completely.

Un-Rug Cleaning Tips

How do you recommend cleaning my Un-Rug?

There are a few ways but here are the most common ways to keep your Un-Rug clean.

General Tips

- Vacuum or shake outside to remove loose debris.

- You may also use a gentle fabric cleaner from time to time and rinse with a garden hose.

- Allow mat to completely air dry before placing back on your floors.

Machine Wash

- Machine wash on cold/gentle cycle, tumble dry on low or air dry. Allow mat to completely dry before placing mat on floor.

- All stains MUST be pre-treated with your preferred stain remover prior to washing and drying to help minimize permanent staining.

- Never use bleach or harsh chemicals to treat.

Is it ok to use bleach or stronger cleaning solution?

No, we do not recommend using bleach or harsh chemicals when cleaning your Matterly mat.

Regular dish soap or similar detergents are often adequate when cleaning your mat.

Do I need to avoid direct sunlight to reduce fading?

Yes, it is recommended to avoid areas that receive extended periods of direct sunlight.

Happy Feet Cleaning Tips

What's the best way to clean my Happy Feet anti-fatigue mat?

Because our Happy Feet lines features a wipeable surface, the easiest way to clean is to spot clean with a mild detergent and wipe clean with a rag or paper towel.

Can I use bleach when cleaning my mat?

No, we do not recommend using bleach or harsh chemicals when cleaning your Matterly mat.

Regular dish soap or similar detergents are often adequate when cleaning your mat.

Do I need to avoid direct sunlight to reduce fading?

Yes, we recommend against placing your Happy Feet mat in areas that get extended periods of direct sunlight. This will help reduce the amount of fading over time.

As always, please ensure both your Happy Feet mat and your floors are completely dry before placing.