A refrigerator mat is a revolutionary product for protecting refrigerator interiors against scratches and food residue, minimizing dust and spills, and enhancing aesthetics. However, not all refrigerator mats are created equally, so you should look for features that enhance utility and minimize expense. Keep reading to explore must-have features, ensuring you get your money's worth and have confidence in your purchase
Material and Design
The material of a refrigerator mat is paramount, it can make a mat super functional or render it completely useless. You see, refrigerators have low temperatures for keeping food and ingredients fresh and avoiding spoilage. Very few materials and fabrics can withstand these low temperatures without crumbling and withering away.
Durability is a crucial consideration, closely tied to the material and design you choose. It's wise to explore a wide range of materials until you find the right fit for you and your appliance. You need a material that boasts water and dust resistance, eliminating moisture and protecting the refrigerator's interior against dust accumulation. Dust-proofing and waterproofing are definite must-haves for functional and durable products.
Rubber
Typically, rubber is an eco-friendly and efficient choice for shelf and refrigerator mats. We advise buying anti-slip rubber mats reinforced with waterproof and dust-resistant material, promoting lasting durability. However, standard rubber refrigerator mats are discouraged because they are not waterproof, soak up oil and grease, and can give off foul odors.
Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)
We advise investing in refrigerators manufactured with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), popularly known as expanded, or foam, rubber. EVA is a naturally stretchy polymer, delivering rubber-like density, stretchiness, and flexibility.
It's a form of plastic manufactured by blending ethylene and vinyl acetate, creating a robustly durable and soft material that’s added to household mats, saddles, shoe soles, and more. It's a super-functional material for manufacturing refrigerator mats, given its toughness against low temperatures, moisture-soaking capabilities, and resistance to stress-induced cracks.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride is a popularly manufactured synthetic plastic polymer, offering robust performance in low temperatures and moist environments. PVC is a high-strength material that offers superior odor resistance and waterproofing capabilities. Refrigerator mats manufactured with this material are easy to use, maintain, and handle.
Adhesive vs Non-Adhesive
Adhesive refrigerator mats may seem like an attractive option for transforming the aesthetics of your refrigerator and for making the interiors more kid-friendly. But we urge you to consider the cleaning needs of these mats. Investing in an adhesive mat will send you back to the horrid days of scrubbing and scraping your fridge’s interior.
Only this time, you'll be scrubbing the mats instead of shelves, hoping to get rid of grease and caked spills. Adhesive refrigerator mats create scores of issues, such as cleaning and maintenance hassles and monotonous designs. Sticking to one design or color palette is a large commitment, and we advise the use of non-adhesive mats so you can change the layout whenever you want to.
Some adhesive mats come with an easily removable stick-on feature. Still, the adhesive used will likely get damaged in a low-temperature, moist environment. Instead of investing in an adhesive refrigerator mat, we advise finding a non-slip product to mimic adhesiveness.
Sizing and Dimensions
It's crucial to take accurate measurements before browsing the internet for the greatest refrigerator mats on the market. Without measurements of your refrigerator shelves, you'll be shopping purely on guesswork, and these products do not support standard sizing. Suppose you buy refrigerator mats that are longer or wider than your refrigerator shelves.
In that case, you will have to cut away the excess material, ruining the product’s design and functionality. And if the product is shorter, it will end up being completely useless. So, grab a tape measure and jot down the dimensions to buy accurately sized refrigerator mats that fit like gloves. Most homeowners find it easier to buy a roll of refrigerator mats that can be easily shaped or sized to a refrigerator's specific dimensions.
Price Range and Deals
Pricing is a crucial consideration when shopping for refrigerator mats because the market is brimming with overpriced products, offering minimal utility. Refrigerator mats are typically sold in combo deals that provide around 8-10 mats at a nominal price.
A typical combo deal comes with several refrigerator mats, a top cover, cover handle, and other accessories. It's easy to be tempted by a combo deal offering dozens of mats in a budget-friendly bargain. But such combinations can often compromise a product's quality and material, so we advise against them.
Buying refrigerator mats individually is also unadvisable. It unnecessarily increases the overall cost, and this approach doesn't always guarantee quality. So, what should you do? We advise finding a well-priced combo deal from a reliable manufacturer, examining the price, and reading customer reviews before finalizing a purchase.
Washability and Maintenance
Washability and maintenance are vital features that enhance utility, and yet, we often ignore them when shopping online. If a mat isn't washable, there's little point in buying it. A refrigerator is a messy appliance, prone to spills, food residues, and crumbs.
The rationale behind buying an ideal refrigerator mat is having a removable layer that soaks up spills and crumbs. Afterward, you can toss this removable layer into the washing machine for thorough cleaning. So, be sure to find a washable mat that features easy cleaning and maintenance.
