Protecting your floor against potential damage and scratches is always a good idea – regardless of whether your swivel chair wheels are made of plastic or rubber. Worry not, as protective office chair mats are here to help. How do you choose the right chair mat? Our short mini-guide includes three features that, in our opinion, are the most important to consider when buying one.
Effective floor protection
Remote working is already a standard these days. It would seem that having a comfortable armchair, all the necessary equipment and the appropriate conditions that allow you to focus on your work is all that you need... Nonetheless, after a long time spent working remotely, you might start to notice numerous scratches and other damage on your floor. Replacing your chair will not solve the problem and replacing the floor itself is rather costly. Therefore, it is good to consider alternative solutions – like protective chair mats.
What chair mat should you choose?
The role of a chair mat is primarily to protect the floor against mechanical damage, as well as stains and discolouration. Apart from fulfilling its basic function well, the mat should also be aesthetically pleasing. What factors should you consider before buying a protective office mat?
- Material. The most common materials used to make chair mats include polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate and polypropylene. Although vinyl mats remain the most popular choice among customers, we highly recommend polyvinyl chloride mats because of their extremely high resistance to both chemicals and various types of mechanical damage.
- Size. When choosing the size of your protective mat, you must consider the type of chair it is meant for – is it a swivel chair or not; how far away do you typically move it? What shape will best match your interior? The most popular dimensions of vinyl mats are 100x70 cm, 120x90 cm and 140 x100 cm.
- Price and appearance. Your protective chair mat should match your interior decor. Its colours and patterns should harmonise with the style of the room and any accessories inside it. The price should also be taken into account; it should not be inflated or understated, but rather depend on the quality of the product and the method of its production.
How to place your protective mat properly?
Once you have chosen the perfect vinyl chair mat for your room or office, it is time to start thinking on how to install it. Firstly, remember that the floor on which the mat is to be laid must be clean and dry. If your mat is equipped with studs, the side with them must be on the bottom, whereas smooth vinyl mats must be placed in such a way that the anti-slip surface is on top. Placing a protective chair mat under swivel chairs or other kids of chairs in the right way ensures their proper stability.
But how do clean the mat? After all, any vinyl mat will require proper cleaning at some point. This should not be a problem, however. Cleaning a vinyl mat is quick and effortless. All it takes to remove dirt from it is a moistened sponge with a mild soap or cleaning agent. Note that washing vinyl mats with highly alkaline agents must be avoided.
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Protective desk mats – how to take care of workplace furniture