When entering and exiting a cleanroom, there is one of the most inconspicuous yet easily overlooked lines of defence—the dust-trapping mat at your feet. Many people regard it as ‘just a mat to step on’, buying and laying it down haphazardly, and leaving it unchanged for half a year. Yet it is precisely this attitude that allows dust and particles carried in on the soles of shoes and the wheels of trolleys to become the primary source of contamination in the cleanroom.
It is important to recognise that the soles of personnel’s shoes and the wheels of trolleys are among the primary routes through which particulates enter the cleanroom. A suitable dust-trapping mat acts as the cleanroom’s first ‘gatekeeper’, standing guard at the entrance.
How does a dust-trapping mat ‘trap’ particles?
At the heart of a dust-trapping mat is a layer of highly adhesive film, typically arranged in multiple layers. When stepped on, dust and particles from the soles of shoes are trapped by the adhesive surface; once the top layer becomes soiled, it is peeled off along the edge to reveal a fresh layer of adhesive, allowing continued use. It is that simple, yet there are many nuances to consider.
Its value lies in keeping contamination at the door, rather than having to clean up particles once they have entered the clean area. The latter is far more costly.
When selecting a dust-trapping mat, pay close attention to these four details
① Adhesive strength: If the adhesive is too strong, it will stick to the soles of shoes, making walking difficult; if too weak, it will fail to trap particles. Selection is generally based on the cleanroom class and footfall frequency. For precision areas, choose a model with moderate adhesive strength to avoid ‘sticking too firmly, damaging shoe soles or leaving adhesive residue’.
② Number of layers and thickness: The number of layers determines the replacement cycle; for areas with high traffic and frequent entry and exit, multi-layered mats (e.g. 30/45/60 layers) offer greater peace of mind; thickness affects how well the mat adheres to the floor, whilst mats that are too thin are prone to curling at the edges.
③ Dimensions: The mat must cover the full width of the doorway; it is better to be too large than too small – a mat narrower than the walking path is effectively leaving a ‘side entrance’. Common sizes can be customised to fit the door width.
④ Environmental friendliness and adhesive residue: Whether adhesive residue remains when the mat is removed and whether it tears easily directly affect the user experience. Choose products with good flexibility and neat edges to avoid the mat ‘falling apart as soon as it is peeled off’.
Proper installation and use: three essential steps
‘Double-mat’ configuration at the entrance: For cleanroom entrances, it is recommended to place one mat at the entrance and one at the exit, or to lay two mats end-to-end. This extends the service life of each individual mat and prevents the cross-contamination of dust;
Replace regularly; do not wait until the mat is completely soiled: Replace the mat as soon as the surface shows visible soiling, as a dirty mat will actually ‘rub’ particles back into the cleanroom;
A comprehensive wiping cycle: Dust-trapping mats serve as the ‘primary barrier’, complemented by secondary wiping in the buffer room—including changing, air showers and dust-free cloths—to form a complete dust-removal chain.
Post time: Sep-10-2026