Years ago, most garage floors were plain concrete. People got the floor dirty when they worked on their car or brought dirty sporting equipment inside, and nobody cared too much. Today, since many garages are attached to homes and double as living space, cleanliness is much more important. And garage floor cleanliness can be greatly assisted by choosing the best garage floor mats. Here are four elements to look for in the best garage floor mats.

1. Customized Size

A floor mat that leaves a foot of space on each side is not an effective floor mat. That space will get dirty quickly, and dirt in the area will also work its way under the edge of the mats. A good garage floor mat will have a customizable size. You will either be able to order it sized exactly to the dimensions of your garage, or it will come in tiles, which you can hook together on the floor to completely cover the space. These tiles should be easy to cut so you can make sure the edge of your garage floor mat meets with the wall of the garage.

2. Short or No Fibers

That nice, plush area rug may look nice in your garage, but only for about two weeks until it gets dirty. The best mats for garages are either completely smooth, or they feature a very short, low fiber that can easily be cleaned and vacuumed. If you choose a mat with any sort of fiber at all, make sure it is waterproof so that it does not absorb stains and is easy to wash.

3. Washability

Some mats can be hosed down. If you have mat tiles, you can remove the mat one tile at a time, and clean the tiles in a utility sink. In any event, make sure that there is an easy way to clean the garage floor mat, so you don't end up spending hours scrubbing on your hands and knees.

4. Colorfastness

There are sure to be days when you leave the garage door open, and sunshine streams in. The UV rays in sunlight can bleach out certain materials, resulting in patchy, uneven color. The best garage floor mats are resistant to UV damage, so they will stay looking vibrant for many years.

If you find a mat with all of the above qualities, buy it with confidence that you're getting a great garage floor mat. For more information, contact a company like Pride Mats.