Doormats are your first defence against outdoor dirt. Shoes bring in dust, small stones, dried mud and leaves. The mat collects a lot of this, which is good – but if you never shake it out, it eventually becomes saturated. At that point, every step just pushes older dirt further into the house.

By taking mats outside and giving them a good shake or beat regularly, you remove that trapped dust and debris. The mat becomes effective again at catching new dirt. As a result, less grit and soil spread onto your floors, and you spend less time sweeping or mopping inside.

It’s a small job that most people skip, but consistently cleaning mats really does cut down on everyday dust.