Industries and businesses that are concerned with hygiene levels will welcome another weapon in their arsenal in the fight against germs; the floor mat.
For some time now, we have been able to add an anti microbial / bacterial agent into matting which means that germs will be killed when they come into contact with the mat. It's not the first thing that people think of when it comes to choosing mats for their business, but the benefits of so called 'Anti Microbial Mats' are far reaching.
Take a Care Home for example. Infections caused by bacteria can cause serious issues with the health of the residents. Not only that, a sickness outbreak can also have an impact on the reputation of the Care Home as a business. Arduous cleaning programmes and procedures are put in place to combat the risk of infection, but the floor is often overlooked. Toilet related accidents are a frequent occurrence in care homes and many happen close to the bed.
Placing an Anti Microbial mat next to the bed would solve many issues. Rather than the floor becoming soiled and germs becoming impregnated into the carpet, the mat would contain the spillage and the bacteria would be killed on the mat. Time would be saved as staff simply lift the mat away for laundering and replace it with another mat, rather than having to pick up the spill with a vacuum and clean the carpet and the cleaner itself.
A great benefit to Anti Microbial Mats is that the additive which kills the germs is permanently inset into the mat and so will not be removed or have its effect reduced through laundering or cleaning of any kind.
Industries and locations which can benefit
Care Homes is just one example, but we see the benefits of Anti Microbial mats being adopted in many other situations, including, but not restricted to the following:
- Kitchens and Food Preparation areas
- Restaurants
- Health Industry: Hospitals, Doctors, Dentists, Vets
- Toilets, Washrooms, Changing Rooms
- Leisure facilities: Swimming Pools, Gymnasiums
- Tourism: Cruise Ships, Hotels
- Religious buildings with bare foot areas
Germs are carried around and spread around a building on the feet and shoes of people walking around as well as the wheels of wheeled traffic, pushchairs and wheelchairs. Placing mats in appropriate locations around buildings can help to combat the spread of germs.
Anti-Microbial mats are ideal for use in kitchen and food environments
Benefits of Anti-microbial mats
- Kill germs on contact
- Prevent further growth of bacteria
- Prevent fungal growth such as mould or mildew which can cause unpleasant odours
- Reduce the risk of infection
Types of Anti-microbial mats
The additive that gives a mat its anti-microbial properties can be added into the fabric and rubber of a mat, which means that practically any type of mat can be used to stop bacteria. Any mats made from rubber have claims to be anti-microbial to a degree, due to the fact that rubber has some natural anti-microbial properties of its own. However an additive is required for increased effectiveness.
Some of the more common types of anti-microbial mats available include:
- Dirt stopping entrance mats
- Interior dust control mats
- Anti Slip mats for kitchens
- Wet area mats, including mats for bare feet
Anti-Microbial mats are ideal for bare foot areas to prevent infection
What to do next?
We have only skimmed the surface of the topic here, but if you wish to learn more about the benefits of Anti-Microbial mats and how they can have an effect on your business, then please get in contact with us today. We can supply you with the mats you need which have this technology added into them or we can simply advise you so that you can further investigate how this may benefit you.
You can view our range of Anti-Microbial mats on our website here, or you can call us for more information, during normal UK office hours, on 0121 313 6748.
