5 Eco-Friendly Recycled Floor Mats-[Review]-Which are the Best?

Every day, more manufacturers are finding out ways to reuse materials to produce recycled products. There’s a high probability of you having something in your home that was made in this manner, whether you realize it or not. But did you know about recycled floor mats?

They’re made from 100-percent reused materials, but not as flimsy as some might imagine. You’re likely to have it for months or even years without needing to replace it. The five floor mats reviewed below make up some of the best found online, chosen for both quality and style. Use them anywhere you want, from indoor or outdoor locations around your workspace or residence. Read further to see which suits these areas the most!

Before moving to the reviews, be sure to check out this comparison list when checking out the mats themselves. You can go to the product’s description page if you need more information.

Durable Dura-Rug Entrance Mat	BalajeesUSA Mat	Mohawk Ultra Premium	FH Home Mat/Rug	ANTONIO CABRERA Door Mat
Editor's Choice	People's Choice	For Hardwood/Tile Floors	For Interior Exterior Locations	For Humid Regions

Material: Tire Rubber	Material: Plastic (From Straws)	Material: Recycled Synthetic Fibers	Material: Recycled Polypropylene	Material: Rubber (Recycled Flip-Flops)
Color: Black	Color: 8 colors	Color: Gray	Color: 10 colors	Color: Multi-Color
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

5 Best Recycled Floor Mats Reviewed

Durable Dura-Rug Recycled Fabric Tire-Link Outdoor Entrance Mat – Best Outdoor Recycled Floor Mat (Editor’s Choice)

At first glance, the Durable Dura-Rug may look like something that was made from old tires. And that’s completely accurate! The entire rug is nothing more than recycled rubber. It’s very durable and has some of the best grips that you’ll ever come across.

Durable Tire Rubber That’s Long-Lasting

If you’ve used rugs built from the fabric before, then you know how annoying it can be to deal with a slippery bottom. Being that rubber clings to just about anything, this shouldn’t be an issue. Surprisingly, it’s very comfortable to walk on top of, no matter if you have on shoes or are going barefoot.

On top of this, the rug is very easy to keep clean. Simply hose it off with water and allow it to dry; that’s the only thing required to prevent mold growth. Try not to keep it too soggy, however. As with ordinary rubber tires, (which this is made from, mind you) rotting is still a possibility with careless use. So long as you maintain the cleanliness of the rug, it’s safe to say that it’ll stay in good shape for years after you’ve purchased it. Highly recommended.

Pros

Will never move around, no matter where the mat is placed or how windy it is in the area
Comfortable to walk on with or without shoes
Doesn’t scratch bare feet
The holds situated throughout the rug reduce the risk of mold growth
Comes clean with just a rinse of water (preferably with a hose)

Cons

Available only in one color (black)

BalajeesUSA Mat – Best Recycled Floor Mat for Indoors (People’s Choice)

The BalajeesUSA Mat might come as a surprise to some, being that it’s completely built from plastic straws. You might think that the material is pretty weak, but that’s not true at all. The rug will likely hold up longer than any other comparable material. And because of the material’s nature, you’re looking at a product that’s free from any harmful chemicals. No lead, BPA, or other toxins are in the rug, making it perfectly safe for areas where small children and/or pets congregate. It does a fantastic job of picking up debris of all sorts, even mud.

Material that’s Naturally Antimicrobial

You won’t have to roughly drag your feet across the rug for this to happen, either. Just a quick wipe is enough to prevent dirt from coming into the areas you’re entering. The rug is level, and won’t buckle as it ages. That means no puddles of water in the center or creases for bacteria to grow. However, if you have aggressive pets, be mindful of them biting into the rug. It could break or puncture under such conditions. Other than this, there’s nothing negative to report about the Balajee USA. It’s suggested for people that need an indoor rug (although it can be alternatively used outdoors).

Pros

The color’s make the floor mat conspicuous, even at night
Picks up most dirt from shoe soles, effectively reducing stains and spots in a home
Doesn’t leave puddles of water at the top of the rug; quickly absorbs moisture

Cons

May not last long around playful pets

Mohawk Ultra Premium – Best Recycled Floor mat for Hardwood/Tile Floors

The Mohawk Ultra Premium is colored grey and best put to use when combined with another rug on top of it. It’s a good rug to prevent other rugs from damaging the floor underneath. For this reason, put this product high on your list if you stay in a home/apartment with wooden or tile floors. No more will you have to worry about them getting marks just from the unrecycled rugs rubbing against them.

Keeps the Dust Away

Like all rugs of this caliber, it will also pick up and trap lots of dust so do anticipate cleaning it. It’s not the sort of rug that you can throw down and leave it for several months without doing any sort of sanitation.

Spot cleaning works best; don’t worry about hosing it down or throwing it into your washing machine. If you must shape the rug with a pair of scissors, be aware that it could be difficult for you to do this here. Instead, opt for a boxcutter if you have one. You’ll find that the cuts come out better. This rug is best used in an indoor environment; consider it if you’re having problems keeping another rug in one spot.

Pros

Has the feel and consistency of a thick carpet
No sliding when placed on most smooth surfaces without scratching
Prevents dust from getting on rugs that are laid on top of the pad

Cons

Difficult to cut/shape with some scissors

FH Home Indoor/Outdoor Recycled Plastic Floor Mat/Rug – Best Recycled Floor Mat for Interior Exterior Locations

The FH Home is another Indoor/Outdoor floor rug, only this one is much more stylish than your average recycled brand. There are multiple colors for you to pick, including combinations of black/white, Green/Whtie, Red, and more.

The best thing about it is that the sun poses no fading risk to the product. You could keep it on your porch all summer long and never see the color change at any time during the season. But indoors, it holds to the floor well, never sliding or moving regardless of there being carpet or hardwood/tile underneath.

Keeping it Clean

Having mentioned fading, it’s important to remember that dirt can discolor the white portions of the floor mat. Keeping it clean should do the trick but you’ll find yourself washing it off pretty often. Dirt sticks to the rug well, which may carry on to anything that touches it.

For example, if you were to walk on the FH Home while it’s dirty, it’s likely that you’ll carry the debris with you, resulting in dirt and bacteria being spread around the vicinity of the rug. Again, all of this is avoidable if you keep it clean. Overall, the rug is best for people that live in areas where there isn’t a large amount of dust or low humidity.

Pros

Blends well with any interior decor
Can withstand outdoor living areas well; plastic material dries fast and is easy to clean
Doesn’t fade with prolonged exposure to the sun

Cons

Although fading isn’t an issue, the white portion of the rug can discolor from dirt (must be cleaned often to avoid)

ANTONIO CABRERA HOME COLLECTION Recycled Flip-Flop Door Mat – Best Recycled Floor Mat for Humid Regions

The final product is the Antonio Cabrera Home Collection, a recycled doormat concocted from reused flip-flops. Flip-flops are a major contributor to lake/river/ocean pollution, to which this is a great way to fight back against further destruction of those environments. But how does it hold up around the home? The material is very strong and catches any dirt you may have trailing on your shoes.

Where to Use It

If you live in a place that’s humid and moist, this rug will quickly become your best friend. That’s because of its quick drying time. Coming into your home with wet shoes will no longer be an issue. Just brush them along the rug and they’ll be dry at the bottom. The drying is almost similar to what one does when drying off windows with a squeegee. And the water evaporates so quickly you’ll forget that it was wet anyway.

However, there is one big thing to consider before buying. You’ll probably end up placing something heavy on top of the rug, at least when you first acquire it, to deal with the slippery bottom. Placing it on top of any floor other than abrasive concrete/asphalt will probably result in the rug moving around a bit, even when it’s completely dry. If you don’t think this will become a nuisance for you, give the Antonio Cabrera a try.

Pros

Debris falls off shoes that come into contact with the rug immediately
Fast drying time, even when soaking wet
Stays in one piece regardless of weather conditions

Cons

Support by a heavier item is recommended for use in areas that are windy, as the rug’s lightweight build makes movement likely in gusty conditions

Buyer’s Guide

Use the information from the tips below to help you narrow down your search.

How to Choose the Best Recycled Rug for Your Home

When shopping for anything that’s been produced from recycled materials, it’s important to remember that the quality of such products could be much different than what you’re accustomed to. This isn’t the case with everything, mind you. But you should try to lower your standards when comparing recycled rugs to, say, a hand-made woven piece that’s built from thick cotton fabric.

As most people will use the rug featured above for doormats, the quality of them is sufficient enough to hold up from heavy use and abuse. Be sure to know and understand the material you’re getting before purchasing, to avoid placing the rug in an area that would potentially age it quicker than expected. You won’t want to use these floor mats where you park your car, especially the brands made of plastic.

For work location with lots of foot traffic, the thicker the better. Rubber is best in these conditions. It’s also great in places where the mat must make contact with the ground, and can prevent your shoes from becoming muddy during periods of heavy rainfall.

If this is what you’re looking for, you may want to consider getting more than one mat, or the largest size of the product you’re interested in. Thankfully, most recycled floor mats are sold in more than one size.

Types of Recycled Material for Rugs

There are several types of material used for recycled rugs. To get a better idea of what you want, here is a list of the most common materials used:

Plastic – Plastic is by far one of man’s most used products, thereby being one of the most discarded. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a heavy amount of plastic being left in the earth and water. Companies have begun to take action to curb their plastic waste by recycling, to which rugs make a great product to build from the material. Most recycled rugs contain plastic that’s free from harmful and/or toxic materials but it’s still a good idea to check with the manufacturer regarding its status on this front (and whether or not it’s BPA-free).
Rubber – Rubber is used on lots of different items, from machinery to vehicles driven by the public. It’s also contributing to a lot of the pollution you hear you read about. Which is a shame since most rubber is 100-percent recyclable. Rugs and mat made from rubber are some of the most durable that you’ll find anywhere, thanks to the dense and strong brac3e that rubber provides. It can help keep your floor clean of oil, dirt, and other small debris of all kinds. Keeping it clean is easy and can be done with a simple water rinse.
Synthetic Materials – Other materials such as polyurethane and polypropylene can be recycled. Usually, these materials are made for rugs that are to be used in indoor locations, although it could work outdoors too (depending on the manufacturer and how it’s produced).

Rugs for Tile and Wooden Floors

If you have a floor that’s not carpeted, such as a tile or hardwood surface in your home, try to stick to the rugs that won’t slide around as they lie on the floor. Rug movement can be annoying as best and a slip hazard as worst. Because of this, you may want to opt for fabric recycled rugs to place underneath existing rugs already in your possession.

One plus to this is fewer dust particles ending up in the top rug, making it easier to vacuum and wash. To extend the life of the recycled fabric, remember to spot clean it instead of throwing it into your washer.

Picking a Good Color

Recycled floor mats of all kinds have a varied range of colors and color combinations. Although some types might lack this (rubber mats, for instance), others maintain lots of choices that help consumers pick hues that match the exterior and interior decoration of their homes. The recycled plastic mats usually have the most colors. When looking into them, check to see how well the colors hold for others who have already purchased them.

Some low-quality brands might have problems with fading when placed outdoors. But truthfully, this is a minor risk and not something you’re likely to experience with any of the rugs. Keep them clean and you’ll find that the colors stay bright for as long as the rug is used.

Indoor or Outdoor?

Each of the recycled rugs reviewed above can be used in an indoor or outdoor setting. Some of them could be more practical to place in a specific area, however. For instance, the rubber floor mats are ideal around front and back porches, while the plastic mats are best around indoor locations. Ideally, they could work outside as well, particularly if the areas it sits is underneath a covering of some sort.

Fabric floor mats sare built for indoor usage; you don’t want them to become molded from getting waterlogged outside. On the other hand, regions with dry enough climates might suffice for them (fabric mats) to be placed in a front and backyard.

Recycled Floor Mats vs. Regular Floor Mats

While some of the benefits to recycled floor mats could be obvious, it’s recommended for consumers to look deeper into their comparison to their competitors that are produced from normal materials. Plastics and rubber make up a considerable portion of the Earth’s pollution, contaminating the ground, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Reused plastic and rubber material keep it from ending up in these areas, thereby reducing human impact on the environment.

Pollution can result in life being less inhabitable wherever it contaminates, which is why so many companies now produce materials of all kinds for people that want to assist in reducing it. Recycled floor mats help clear areas teeming with life of dangerous plastic straws and rubber, which can take hundreds (and in some cases, thousands) of years to fully break down.

When you’re ready to discard the floor mat, don’t forget that it’s completely recyclable! If your trash pickup is able to, place the mat into a recycling bin. Try to avoid dumping it with your general waste; most floor mats are able to be reused again for as many times as the material ends up in the recycling process.

Summary/Conclusion

Which recycled rugs do you think are the best? Although there are only five evaluated in the review, each has unique qualities that make them worthy of consideration. Durability wise, the clear winner from the list is the Durable Dura-Rug Entrance Mat. It’s made entirely from recycled tires and works at a great matt to any building entrance. The rubber is also easy to maintain and keep clean. But if you need something more decorative, check out the BalajeesUSA Mat.

It’s produced from plastic straws and adds a bold touch of color to any room entrances. The other three are outstanding too, especially for customers needing something a bit more specific to their residential setting. In short, you’ll enjoy every mat that’s shown above and have the opportunity to do your part in contributing to the reduction of pollution.