The Best Doorway Rugs To Keep Your Floors Cleaner This Winter

You do all that you can to keep your floors clean, but once ice and snow enter the scene this winter, you might find yourself reacting to muddy footprints (or pawprints) multiple times a day. Rather than being in a constant state of reactivity, however, you can keep your floors cleaner for longer by preparing your home with a solid entryway rug. These more advanced floor coverings are different from decorative mats that probably worked just fine during warmer seasons; in the winter, however, you'll need something that stops the mud in its tracks — literally.

One of the top contenders for a winter doorway rug is the highly-reviewed Grid Recycled Water Trapper Mat from Orvis ($45 for the smallest rug). This rug is designed specifically to stop water and dirt. It comes with a variety of irreplaceable benefits for an entryway doormat, such as its resistance to mold and mildew and its non-slip rubber backing. Out of over 1,200 reviews, the Water Trapper Mat has a 4.9-star average. Customers rave about the longevity of these mats, which can stand up to heavy regular usage and perform well under pressure. One customer writes that the mat solves a number of problems in one fell swoop, "Absorbent top allows what is tracked in to dry and be vacuumed. Waterproof base protects underlying carpet or flooring. Teeth pattern on bottom makes it non-slip." You also have your pick of colors and sizes, so you can choose the best size to cover whatever area you need this winter. If this one doesn't strike you, we also have more picks for you from L.L. Bean and Amazon with great reviews. 

For a somewhat more affordable–but still impressive–option, turn to L.L. Bean's Everyspace Recycled Waterhog Doormat ($34.95 for smallest size). Similar to the Orvis Water Trapper, this doormat has a heavy-duty rubber backing that keeps water off the ground, even when it accumulates in vast quantities on the rug (with a capacity of 1 ½ gallons of water per square yard). When the time comes to clean the rug, simply vacuum, sweep or use a hose to rinse it off. Over 3,300 reviews, averaging 4.8 stars, attest to the quality of these mats. One review says, "The mats are outside all the time in Minnesota. They dry fast after a rain and sweep off after a snowfall. I would never buy anything else for my deck even though [they're] pricey but last many years. So worth it!"

For a more affordable option, you can consider the Muddy Mat ($14.95 and up), which is marketed to pet owners but works just as well for pet-free individuals who simply want to keep their floors clean. These doorway rugs are crafted from durable materials like chenille to trap dirt, snow, and mud, and they have a thermoplastic rubber backing to keep the rug in place and prevent debris from spreading. They are machine washable and can be shaken out once they have collected a lot of dirt, making maintenance easy, and they have a 4.5-star average out of more than 15,000 reviews on Amazon. While the seasonal change might make your housekeeping more challenging, the right doorway rug can be a game-changer.