Have you noticed, friends, that even though we don’t often open the windows at home and clean the floors regularly, there’s still dust on the floor? In fact, much of that dust comes from the soles of our shoes. That’s why it’s a good idea to place doormats around the house—smart people put mats in these three key spots, which significantly reduces the amount of dust on the floor and takes the hassle out of frequent cleaning!

　　1. Never, ever place floor mats in these three areas of your home.

　　1. Bathroom

　　The bathroom mat should also not be placed right by the door; it’s best to position it just inside the bathroom door. That way, when you step out of the bathroom and wipe your shoes against the mat, any moisture or pet hair on the soles will be removed. If the mat is left at the doorway, however, some hair is bound to fall onto the floor outside the bathroom and then be tracked into the bedroom or living/dining area, which is unhygienic.

　　2. Kitchen

　　It’s not enough just to put a floor mat—it also has to be placed in the right spot. Some people put the mat right by the kitchen door, thinking that’s simply where a mat belongs! But you can’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach to everything. In the kitchen, the mat shouldn’t go by the door; it should be placed next to the cabinets, as shown in the picture. That’s because when we’re cooking, water—and even oil splatters—inevitably drip onto the area around the cabinets. So putting the mat right there is the proper choice.

　　3. Entrance Hall

　　The entryway mat should be placed just outside the door. Many people prefer to keep it indoors, but in fact, leaving it inside is worse than not having one at all. Dust and bacteria tracked in on shoes from outside end up being rubbed right into the indoor space; as people move about, they stir up these tiny particles and germs, which then get inhaled by family members. Neglecting such small details can easily lead to illness. Therefore, it’s better to leave the mat outside—when you step in, any bacteria or dust on your shoe soles will be brushed off onto the mat, and once the door is closed, the indoor air and flooring are well protected.