Does Your Commercial Kitchen Need New Mats?

As a kitchen owner or operator, you have a lot on your plate. Between keeping up with your establishment’s demands, maintaining your equipment, and coming up with unique menu ideas, it’s easy to let the small details slip through the cracks. You probably purchased commercial kitchen mats before your grand opening, but you may not have inspected them or replaced them since. In today’s post, we’ll take an in-depth look at a few of the signs indicating that you need new commercial kitchen mats.

The Mad Matter is your one-stop shop for floor matting, and we have an unparalleled selection of kitchen floor mats that are perfect for your establishment. Read on to learn more about when you should replace your mats, and get started with an order today!

When to Replace Your Kitchen Floor Mats

Low Traction

While kitchen mats are a great way to keep your employees comfortable while they’re on the job, their primary purpose is to keep your staff safe. Your kitchen is a dynamic and fast-paced environment, and it’s inevitable that oil, water, and food will make their way down to the floor throughout the day.

While your kitchen floor mats are designed to provide your employees with traction throughout the workday, they can become worn down over time and become as hazardous as unprotected floors. If your employees have complained about slick surfaces, or if you notice that your current floor mats don’t provide much traction, then it’s time to seriously consider investing in replacements.

Unsanitary Conditions

Cleanliness is arguably the most important aspect of any commercial kitchen. You serve hundreds, if not thousands, of people each week, and even one incidence of food poisoning or bad publicity could significantly hurt your business.

Kitchen mats are relatively easy to clean, but after several years of daily use, they can begin to accumulate tough-to-clean oil and food particles. You don’t want to create the ideal conditions for mold to thrive, and you certainly don’t want to fail a health inspection just because of your floor mats. Periodically check your floor mats to ensure that they’re staying clean, and if you notice that certain areas are accumulating the foods and liquids that fall to the floor, then be proactive and invest in replacements.

Torn Edges

Your mats are in use day in and day out, so it’s perfectly understandable when they begin to degrade in certain areas. Spots where employees stand might become noticeably more worn than other areas, and the edges of your mats might even begin to crack after frequent cleanings. It’s time to purchase replacement mats if the edges tear, as they can create tripping hazards for anyone who walks by.

Employee Fatigue

No matter how large or small your commercial kitchen is, your success is contingent on your employees. They spend long hours on their feet throughout their shift, and standing on hard surfaces can lead to cramps, aches, and fatigue. If you purchased anti-fatigue mats when your kitchen opened, be sure to ask your employees if the mats are holding up. Like your other commercial kitchen mats, they may be nearing the end of their life cycle. Your employees will certainly appreciate an investment in their safety and well-being, and you may even see an increase in productivity when your employees are more comfortable!

Shop With The Mad Matter Today!

We hope that today’s entry will help you determine if your commercial kitchen could benefit from replacement floor mats. We plan to continue this topic in future installments, so bookmark our blog page and come back regularly!

The Mad Matter is your one-stop shop for floor matting, and we would love to help you find the perfect floor mats for your kitchen. Get in touch with us today to get started!