The best floor mat cleaners wipe away grime, dirt, pet hair, and other gunk from your floors without a heavy vacuum.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Floor Mat Cleaner

Before choosing a floor mat cleaner, take a few minutes to think about which type is best for your home. There are many different types of floor mats, and each one has its own benefits. Some cleaners work better on certain materials than others, and some products have additional features that can make cleaning easier.

Type

First, consider the different types of floor mats you may need to clean. While traditional floor mats are still popular, there are other options, such as dual-purpose mats, in-floor, and washable floor mats.

  • Traditional floor mats are made of thick rubber or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. These mats are designed to stay in place on bare floors, and they’re usually easy to remove when they become dirty. However, they may not hold up well against the moisture, dirt, and debris that can be trapped between the mats and the subflooring.
  • Dual-purpose floor mats offer both grip and moisture-wicking qualities. Theyre made of a synthetic material with embedded fibers to provide comfort and absorbent properties. These mats may be harder to remove when they become soiled, but they can also be used on sealed flooring to provide a protective barrier. Keep in mind that these mats will need to be cleaned after every use.
  • In-floor floor mats are designed to fit into a hole in the floor. After insertion, they expand to fill the voids, providing a more secure fit. In-floor mats may be easier to clean because they’re less likely to slip out of place, but they may also be more difficult to install than traditional floor mats. Also, in-floor mats are only useful for open floor plans.
  • Washable floor mats are ideal if you have pets or children who track in dirt and debris. These mats can be easily removed, washed, and reapplied. The biggest drawback to this type of mat is that it may not provide enough grip to prevent slipping, especially if the floor is wet.

Active Ingredients

Next, consider the active ingredients included in various floor mat cleaners to see if any are particularly beneficial for your needs.

  • Cleaning agents like lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide are commonly found in disinfectants for hardwood floors. These chemicals are natural components of bacterial growth that are used to destroy organic compounds.
  • Sodium hypochlorite is another common active ingredient that is used in bleach for carpet and hardwood floors. It works by oxidizing the proteins and fats that hold soil and grime to render them inert.
  • Peroxide is a chemical that is also used to clean and disinfect, though it may not be as strong as chlorine dioxide or sodium hypochlorite. Its purpose is to rapidly degrade bacteria, mildew, mold, and other organic contaminants.
  • Chlorine dioxide is a powerful sterilant that is often used in combination with other active ingredients. It works by destroying bacteria and viruses to effectively clean and disinfect the indoor environment.

Moisture-Proofing

If your floors are sealed, one of the most important elements to look for in a floor cleaner is a note indicating that the product is suitable for cleaning sealed flooring.

While traditional floor mats are typically not a good choice for sealed flooring, there are exceptions. If the seal on your flooring is very old and degraded, it may not withstand the pressure and friction caused by a standard floor cleaner.

However, if you find a cleaner that is advertised as being appropriate for sealed flooring, it should still contain a potent mixture of active ingredients that are meant to kill mold, bacteria, and other microbes. This means that while using this cleaner may compromise the integrity of your flooring, it should still provide a thorough clean.

Versatility

Finally, consider how versatile a floor cleaner must be to address the wide range of issues that can occur in your home. For example, if you have an in-floor heating system in your flooring, it may be helpful to find a cleaner that is labeled as being effective at removing odors as well as dust and dirt.

Also, if your family includes small children, you’ll want to find a cleaner that is safe to use on the floors and toys.