How to store outdoor entry mats when not in use?

Linda W
by Linda W
May seem like a stupid question, however, I am wondering what methods others use in storing seasonal entry mats when they are not in use. I have tried to find a place in my garage where they could lie flat, but that didn't work out for one reason or another and if I roll them they end up not lying flat once I put them down to use them. Just curious on what ideas anyone else has. Thanks!
  10 answers
  • Why not purchase the large paper clips with the springs and put them on one end of the mat, I am assuming your speaking about those rubber types here. And hang the clips on a peg board, or a few nails on a wall.
  • Z Z on Sep 22, 2012
    Not a stupid question at all Linda W. If they aren't too heavy you could get some pant hangers and clip them to the ends and hang them at the back of your coat closet.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Sep 23, 2012
    All of you are going to laugh at me, but I make sure they are clean (I shake mine really good and beat them a little to loosen all dirt and then check them for spots). Since they are out for such a short time, I do not wash them unless they are really dirty or smell. (Hanging them over a railing on the deck or a plastic lawn chair in the rain works great for cleaning.) Then I lay them flat on top of a large TV cabinet in my bedroom...the molding makes about a 3" tray on top! I usually get the small ones so they fit perfectly. Surprisingly, they do not even get much dust up there!
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Sep 23, 2012
    People have more than one mat?...we have one and it lives on the deck as a our primary entry point.Not sure why multiples and needed...LOL. When it gets dirty I bang it out and put it back then its good till next year.
  • Z Z on Sep 23, 2012
    Kevin that's all we have too, but I've seen seasonal ones in the stores so I'm guessing that's what Linda is talking about. Jeanette, my folks had a cabinet with a high crown molding like that so I know just what you are talking about. If you wanted to you could hide a multitude of things up there. My Daddy made a top to fit over it so Mom could display her tins though.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Sep 24, 2012
    I have a heavy duty mat on oth ain enmtry ways but lay a seasonal holday mat on top ...you know thos silly kind that say "BOO" at halloween! You know some of us have to decorate EVERYTHING!!!!
  • Warren G. Warren G. on Sep 24, 2012
    Linda...You might try a plastic storage box that is made for under the bed, some of them have small wheels on one end. They are big enough to hold the mats flat, and deep enough to hold a whole years worth of mats. If you sprinkle a little baking soda in the bottom or put an open box at one end you will kill any smell. Then you can find a place for the storage box, like under a bed, a sofa, or the bottom of the coat closet. Look around I sure you can find a place in you home for the storage box.
  • Z Z on Sep 24, 2012
    Brilliant ideas Warren. I forgot those containers and storing things under the sofa since I no longer have one with a skirt.
  • Linda W Linda W on Sep 25, 2012
    Thank you all so much for the suggestions! To KMS Woodworks, I am one of those goofy people that change mats for the season, Halloween, Fall, Christmas, and the summer months. It is part of my quirkiness. I had never thought of the pants hangers, or clips and those are simple and take up so little room. Warren, why I never thought of the plastic storage box, is beyond me.... that is excellent as well. Now on to make a decision... Thanks again!
  • Jeanette freeze Jeanette freeze on Oct 04, 2012
    nice when men folk give some input