A doormat serves two main functions for your house. It helps keep dirt, mud, and other outside elements from tracking in the high traffic areas of your home. It can also be a first impression of your house for guests.

Given these two functions, you want to pick the right welcome mat for your home.

When shopping for a doormat it’s important to make an eco-friendly choice. This guide will explore what sustainable materials to look for and introduce you to some amazing eco-friendly doormat brands.

This post does contain some affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase The Honest Consumer may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

What To Look For In A Doormat

When you are looking at outdoor doormats there are a few key features you want to consider. Ideally you’ll find the perfect mat that has all of these qualities I’m about to mention.

If that doesn’t happen you’ll want to decide which features are the most important to you. The features you want to look for are durability, non-slip surface, and easy to clean. Lastly you want a mat that will show off your personality.

Durability: Durable doormats are important because you want them to withstand a number of different things. From harsh weather to heavy foot traffic, your welcome mat should be able to survive it all for a long period of time.
Easy To Clean: Mats that are easy to clean will not only save you time, it will also keep the mat in better condition. You’ll be able to clean dirt, stains, mud, and more in less time with less effort.
Personality: The last feature to consider is you and/or your family’s personality. Would you rather view neutral doormats over funny doormats? Is your home decor more trendy or boho?
Sustainable materials: When picking out a door mat you want to keep the environment in mind too!

Why Eco-Friendly Mats Are The Best Choice

There are many reasons why you should choose an eco-friendly mat over a traditional one. Since these mats are made with high quality sustainable materials they won’t be easily destroyed and sent to the overcrowded landfills.

This means you won’t have to spend the extra money to replace your doormat each year.

Plus, eco-friendly materials tend to have less environmental impact. These sustainable brands are typically more conscious of the carbon footprint and the overall impact of their materials. Let’s explore some materials to look for.

What Eco-Friendly Materials Are Best For A Doormat

There are several different sustainable materials that can be used to make doormats. Here are some of those materials.

Coir

Coir mats are a popular choice for eco-friendly mats. These mats are made from the long, brown fibers of the coconut husk. They are easy to clean and are durable (lasting about 10 years). Because these mats are so thick, they are naturally non-slip.

This means you don’t need to buy any extra backing to keep you and your family safe from slips and falls.

Recycled Materials

Using recycled materials gives the items a new life, prevents more items going to landfills, and can be a great conversation starter. There are countless options of what can be used to create eco-friendly doormats.

Some examples are flip-flops, rubber tires, lobster rope, and more - two of these are featured in some of the doormats below.

Natural fibers

The last material we are going to talk about is natural fiber. Some examples of these are jute, hemp, seagrass, and bamboo. The best way to use a doormat made with natural fibers is to make it an indoor mat.

Since these mats are a little more delicate, you want to avoid using it as an outdoor mat if you want it to last long.

8 Eco-Friendly Doormats

You now have the information you need to make an informed purchase on a new welcome mat. Here are eight eco-friendly doormats you’ll want to check out.

West Elm

West Elm takes pride in both their great designs and passion for creating a better world. 95% of designs are created in their Brooklyn studios. They partner with artisan communities as well.

This helps preserve their handcraft traditions and create opportunities for the community members to create a better life.

In addition to creating great designs, and better lives for those that are behind them; West Elm also does their part to make an environmental impact. Whenever possible they use materials that are recycled, upcycled, and other sustainably sourced methods.

By doing this they were able to save 2.3 billion liters of water in 2019. West Elm has also been able to save 66 million plastic bottles from landfills. Those are just some of the many ways they are doing their part to save the planet.

Here are some of their doormats that you may want to consider.

Half Moon Layered Blocks Doormat: This bright and fun door mat is a perfect way to show off your bold and/or artistic personality. It’s handcrafted by Indian artisans, so no door mat is exactly the same. The coir fibers in this mat are mold and mildew resistant, so you know it’s made to last. You can purchase this door mat for $29.
Pop Woven Doormat: Here is another natural coir door mat. Although this one is a little more of a classic hand-knotted look, with a pop of color of course. This door mat was made in India and can be for both indoor and outdoor use. This sustainable door mat can be purchased for $29.
WaterHog Borderless Hourglass Recycled Doormat: You’ve got options when it comes to this eco-friendly mat. It’s available in three colors: charcoal. carmel, and bluestone. This doormat is made of 100% recyclable materials, and includes a non slip backing. This helps your mat stay put, along with the mud, dirt, etc. that it captures.It is also stain and fade-resistant. You can buy this geometric door mat for $44.99
Nickel Designs Hand-Painted Doormat - Flowers: If you’re looking for a great quality door mat that will showcase your friendly, welcoming spirit, this is the mat for you. The mat is made of coir with a vinyl backing and features a hand painted floral design. You can purchase this cute welcome mat for $47.

Shop West Elm

Ten Thousand Villages

Ten Thousand Villages is a maker-to-market company. They source products from local artisan makers and help them sell their products. This helps the makers get discovered, create a better life for themselves, their family, and their community.

This company makes sure that the makers are earning a fair wage, while choosing products that are made from natural materials. This helps make the Earth a better place to live and shapes the communities of the artisans’ that work with Ten Thousand Villages.

What started as a single action 70 years ago, by founder Edna Ruth Byler, has turned into a movement.

Here are two eco-friendly floor mats that you can find on Ten Thousand Villages.

Upcycled Flip-Flop Mat: This unique and colorful door mat is made from recycled flip-flops and metal wire. It was handcrafted in the Philippines by Social Action for Filipino Youth. (SAFFY, Inc). Since they upcycle flip-flops for these recycled rubber doormats, the colors on each one may vary. You can purchase your one-of-a-kind mat for $44.99.
Recycled Sari Rug: While technically not an outdoor door mat, it can be used as an indoor replacement for one. This beautiful rug is handcrafted by makers in India. It’s made from recycled sari fabric and cotton thread, with each rug being a unique creation. You can buy it for $29.99.

Shop Ten Thousand Villages

Wharf Warp

Wharf Warp can be found on Etsy. The founders are a husband and wife team located in Freeport, Maine. This family owned business stands out from the crowd by using upcycled lobster rope to create all of their products.

By giving a new use for the lobster rope, Jeanine and her husband are preventing the rope from landing in the ocean and harming the sealife. Along with creating up-cycled doormats, they also create wreaths, leashes, and dog toys.

Here are some of their sustainable door mats worth checking out!

Dandelion Rope Mat: If you are looking for a more neutral mat to tie in your home decor, this door mat would be a great option. There are different sizes you can purchase in this particular mat, they start at $130. There is also a wide range of similar entrance mats in different colors. They are all made with the upcycled lobster rope.
Coastline Rope Mat: Whether you live by the coast, or want to bring the coast to your home, you’ll love this door mat. The good news is that this mat can be for both indoor and outdoor use. The better news is that the mat is both durable and easy to clean. You can buy one for $150.

Your welcome mat sets the tone for your home, gives guests a peak into your family’s personality, and provides protection for your floors.

Now that you know all the benefits of an eco-friendly doormat, you can make a more informed decision when shopping. You’ll be doing your part in making the world a better place as well.

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