Everyone who has ever had an RV knows how quickly they can get dirty. I am not sure whether it is because of the nature of camping or simply the smaller size of the living space, but RVs need constant cleaning and vacuuming, and there is little you can do about it. It is not hopeless, however. There is something that you can do to keep some of that dirt away from your camper – you can use outside rugs and patio mats.
If you have been camping for a while, you already know what to look out for; but if you are new to this, I will try to give you a good overview of the features you should pay attention to when getting them.
Some of the most important questions to ask before getting a patio mat or outdoor rugs for your RV:
These are the most important aspects to look for when getting a rug or camping mat for your RV. Below are some of out recommendations (in no particular order):
Two edges of the mat have nylon piping, and the crusted edges of the other two aren’t easily frayed. There is also a loop in each corner so you can peg it down on the ground (so you don’t have to reposition the rug every time there is little wind). However, there are no pegs included in the package, which is disappointing.
On the ground, the mat never really gets too hot, even in direct sunlight, because the woven material allows air to circulate. The downside here is that water easily passes through ,and it’s not that effective over thick, wet, and muddy soil. But when the rug gets dirty, cleaning it is almost effortless as the dirt particles just come right off with water; and it dries fast too.
Be careful when placing pronged or sharp objects on the mat as they can easily snag the woven plastic. You also might want to avoid furniture with pointed feet (e.g. foldable camping chairs) because the material is easily warped with prolonged pressure.
Because of the material, the folding creases become more prominent over time and become especially visible when you haven’t used the rug for a long time. There is a carry bag in the package that’s helpful in transporting the rug around or keeping dust away.
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There are loops in each corner to hold the rug down, especially useful in windy situations. What is annoying, however, is that you have to buy the pegs separately. All four edges of the rug have a nylon piping to protect it from sharp objects that can cause fraying.
The rug is also breathable and it doesn’t feel hot, especially when you are camping in the summer. However, water can still pass through the rug and can get your stuff wet accidentally. But regardless of the surface, the rug does shield you from small sharp objects and any uneven rocks underneath. It is thick enough that pressure from chairs won’t warp the material, and it is flexible enough to avoid sharp creases from constant folding and unfolding.
After use, the rug requires little to no time to clean. Simply brush it and that’s it. Afterward, you can store it in the carry bag that comes in the package.
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The rug comes with loops on each corner to peg it down, but unfortunately it does not come with pegs in the box. Two edges are finished with nylon piping and the other two are heat-treated. Overall, despite the lightweight material, the edges are protected from objects that can cause fraying.
Using the mat on dry ground on a summer day does not feel hot, but should you land on a muddy spot, water still seeps through. Plus, the material isn’t thick enough such that you can’t still feel sharp rocks underneath the mat.
The material, although lightweight, is flimsy and shows signs of wear after chairs are repeatedly placed on the rug. It is disappointing that it isn’t durable if you frequently place chairs and heavy things on it. You will see evident creases when you unfold it, more than thicker rugs.
When it’s time to store the rug, it goes in a carry bag. It is convenient that the bag is larger than the folded mat, making it easy to store. Should it get dirty, it takes little time to clean because the dirt comes off easily when rinsed.
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The edges are heat treated for a crusted finish and two of them have nylon piping (why not all four? I am not sure). While it would be better if all the edges were finished with nylon piping, those without are able to withstand different surfaces without noticeable damage. There are also loops on each corner, so you can peg the rug to the ground. No pegs are included, however, and it’s irritating that you have to buy them separately.
Despite the treated surface, the weave still allows water from muddy soil to seep through. On the flip side, it doesn’t feel hot on arid ground because there is good airflow through the mat. The textured surface adds grip to minimize slippage, and it is also thick enough to protect against sharp rocks on the ground.
Because of its material, the rug is easy to clean and quick to dry off. From thick dust to mud, you just squirt on water and it easily comes off. After cleaning, you store it in its carry bag, so it doesn’t collect dust when unused for a long period of time. Even after all the folding and unfolding, there are no prominent creases that can damage the material.
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When the rug is on rocky soil, however, you will feel the sharpness beneath the rug, and it hurts when you step on a big rock. Two edges are embellished with nylon piping, while the others have a heat-treated edge that looks like crusted plastic.
The rug looks well maintained even after months of use because it is easy to wash. Since it isn’t made of cloth, the rug also drys quickly. Redwood Mats do not crease heavily because of the thick material used, and they stand up pretty well. There is an unwanted smell of plastic, though, and it gets worse the hotter it gets. It’s not offensive, but you can easily smell it.
The included carry bag is a plus since the rug stays protected when stowed in your RV.
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Only two edges are finished with nylon piping, and the other two have heat-treated edges that feel thicker than without. And in its four corners, there are loops through which you can insert a peg. This is particularly helpful in windy areas, but it’s bothersome that you have to purchase the pegs separately (again!).
When used on different surfaces, this patio mat tends to hold sand and dry soil, but it is easy to shake off. It doesn’t feel too hot during summer days, but water from damp ground can still seep through. Fraying has not been an issue for most users, but the flimsy plastic is prone to breaking from pressure. Using foldable chairs on the rug can warp it, and you can also feel any sharp rocks underneath. This is of concern if you tend to put things with sharp edges or pointed feet on the rug.
On the good side, these mats are rather effortless to maintain because they are washable. You simply hang them up after and they dry immediately. Creasing is going to be more evident when you fold them up tightly because of the fairly thin material.
When the wet season comes and you have to stow the rug, there is a carry bag for this purpose. It helps keep the dust off, and even insects from nesting in the rug, as well as making it easier to transport.
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Upon opening the box, the mat easily unrolls and stays flat. However, you will have a hard time flattening it back if you accidentally deform the corners, so be careful with heavy items on it. The mat does stay nicely because the rubber bottom sticks to wood, cement, and stone floors.
Because its pattern and rough surface, soil from cleats and boots easily scrapes off, but it can’t fully remove thick lumps of dried soil from muddy footwear. And should you step on the mat dripping wet or even keep it outside in the rain, it takes a long time to dry. Objects with wheels like luggage or carts have no problem going over it, which may be small thing, but when you are in a rush, it saves a lot of effort.
Dogs and cats can damage the surface with persistent scratching, and you might just have to prevent them from doing so. When you’re not at home, it’s best not to have them linger on the mat.
When it’s time to clean the mat, you can use a vacuum, so you don’t have to move it around. But should you have to move it, you don’t have to shake it vigorously for the dirt to come off, and you can even wash it with soap. One thing to notice is that it doesn’t leave a mark on the floor when you replace it, which is quite convenient if you move it around often.
They even offer you a ten-year warranty for some reason. I am not sure what could happen to a door mat, but I guess it is good to know.
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When the product arrives at your door, the mat unrolls easily and actually stays flat. There is a rubbery smell, however, that persists in hotter areas. As long as the surface is flat, the mat sticks to it and wheeled things have no trouble passing over its low profile. This is especially convenient if you carry lots of suitcases with you.
The mat traps dirt with ease, but you may have to rub more if your shoes are really muddy. When you enter your RV soaked from the rain, it easily absorbs the water, but may still be wet after the night has passed. However, it dries faster when you hang it.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you are travelling with dogs and cats, they can scratch off the top material. It’s probably best to drive them away if they get into the habit of lounging on the mat.
When your mat gets dirty, a vacuum sucks the particles out in one go, or you can shake it off with little effort. You can also wash it, and it doesn’t warp when you leave it to dry for too long. There are no observable marks left on the floor when you remove the mat.
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After opening the package, the mat unrolls and stays flat. But any deformation will need a lot of weight on the top of the mat to flatten it back down. The rubber bottom has no problem sticking to the doorway of your camper and the low profile helps luggage with wheels pass over with little resistance.
When installed at a doorway, the mat has no problem rubbing dirt off your shoes. Soil from the campground is easily removed, and grass leaves will be easily trapped in the pattern. Rainwater will be retained, though, and it’s better to hang it dry after absorbing all that water.
When you remove the mat for cleaning, it doesn’t leave marks on the floor. This is convenient, especially when you are camping in a hot climate, as rubber can easily adhere to the floor. In cleaning the mat, the dirt just shakes off in one strong strike against a wall, or you can use vacuum if you wish. You can wash it, but not in a washing machine, and it dries faster when hung.
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When you open the package, the mat unrolls easily and seems more pliable than other mats. It stays flat on the floor, and the rubber back sticks to most surfaces, while the low profile allows wheeled objects to pass over with little resistance.
From light dust to thick soot, the rough surface has no problem trapping dirt particles. It absorbs some water but dries fairly quickly, and it can withstand the scratches from anxious cats and dogs, when you are away from home.
If your mat is dirty, it doesn’t take much effort to shake the dirt off, and you can also clean it with soap and water if you wish. No marks are left on the surface when you take the mat away for cleaning.
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Upon opening the package, the mat rolls back easily and stays nicely flat on the surface. You may notice a rubbery smell, no matter where you are in your mobile home. It is annoying to say the least, and the only way to get rid of it is to aerate it outside first.
Because of the pattern and rough texture, the mat removes soil from footwear effortlessly. But do keep in mind that when you use it for too long without cleaning it, the pattern will get filled with dirt and any rubbing now will actually deposit it onto your footwear. Also, note that excess water soaks in fairly easily, and it takes a lot of time for a wet mat to dry. However the gaps in the pattern make it easy to clean as they have a smooth surface and mud doesn’t stick.
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Upon opening the package, the mat unrolls easily and is quite thick (about an inch of height). It has no problem lying flat, and since the rubber bottom looks smoother than other mats, pushing it around is easy. However, given its height, strollers and carts have a hard time going over it.
This mat is made from the same material as a football field, which makes it very effective in scraping off dirt from your shoes. It reminds me of the material used in sports arenas, but it is not as high in quality. It absorbs the water from mud, and when you step on it dripping wet, it doesn’t hold water that much more compared to thinner mats. When you hang it up outside, it dries faster; but be aware that the material is prone to brittleness when exposed to too much sunshine.
It is easy to clean and dirt comes off quickly. But be careful when using a vacuum, since it can easily suck off the blades that hold the AstroTurf together. This mat is washable as well, but excessive brushing or strong jets of water can really wear off the material over time.
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