Sticky Tack Mats

Sticky Tack Mats: Contamination Control for Clean Rooms, Healthcare & Sensitive Floors

Sticky tack mats, also known as adhesive mats, tack mats or tacky mats,  provide a highly effective barrier against fine dirt, dust, and particle contamination at the entrance to sensitive environments. Unlike standard entrance mats, their adhesive surface physically captures and holds contaminants from footwear and wheels, preventing them from being tracked further into a controlled or sensitive area. At Trusted Mats, we supply sticky tack mats suited to clean rooms, healthcare facilities, and floor protection applications.

What Are Sticky Tack Mats?

Sticky tack mats feature a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface that grabs fine particles. This includes  dust, dirt, grit, and microbial contaminants directly from the soles of shoes or the wheels of trolleys and equipment as they pass over the mat. Once particles are captured, they are held firmly in place and cannot be transferred further into the area beyond.

• Particle Capture: The adhesive surface removes fine contaminants that standard matting cannot trap, including dust, grit, and microscopic debris.
• Retained Contamination: Particles are held securely on the mat surface and cannot be tracked off by subsequent foot or wheel traffic.
• Layered Design: When a layer becomes saturated, it can simply be peeled away to reveal a fresh adhesive layer beneath. The layers are numbered so you always know when to reorder.
• Secure Placement: Mats sit in a frame or feature an adhesive underside to prevent movement on the floor beneath, eliminating any slip or trip risk.

Where Are Sticky Tack Mats Used?

Sticky tack mats are used wherever fine particle contamination must be controlled at the point of entry. They are particularly well suited to the following environments:

Clean Rooms

In controlled environments such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, electronics production, or research laboratories where even microscopic dust particles can compromise processes, products, or results. Sticky tack mats placed at clean room entrances act as a highly effective barrier, capturing the fine dirt and dust that standard carpeted entrance mats are unable to remove. They are an essential part of any clean room contamination control protocol.

Healthcare Facilities

Dust and airborne particles in healthcare settings can carry harmful germs and contribute to breathing difficulties among vulnerable patients. Sticky tack mats at ward, theatre, or clinical area entrances help reduce the risk of particle and microbial transfer throughout a facility. Anti-microbial sticky tack mats are also available, incorporating treatment that actively kills bacteria on contact with the mat surface, providing an additional layer of infection control beyond simple particle capture. Have a look at the First Step Antimicrobial Sticky Tack Mats for healthcare.

Floor Protection

Certain floors are highly susceptible to damage from fine abrasive particles such as grit and sand. Sports hall floors, performance stages, dance studios, and polished or specialist hard floors can quickly become scratched, scuffed, or worn if particles are tracked in from outside. Placing sticky tack mats at entrances captures these abrasive particles before they reach the sensitive floor surface, significantly extending its life and appearance. Take a look at the Clean Step Sticky Tack Mats.

How Do I Manage and Replace Sticky Tack Mat Layers?

One of the key practical advantages of sticky tack mats is how simple they are to maintain. There is no specialist cleaning equipment required, just regular monitoring and timely layer replacement.

• Check the mat surface regularly. When it appears dirty or feels less tacky underfoot, it is time to peel
• Peel the top layer away cleanly from one corner, folding it over to contain the captured contaminants
• The fresh layer beneath is immediately ready for use, no downtime or cleaning required
• Layers are numbered on the mat, giving a clear indication of remaining layers and when replacement pads should be ordered
• Keep a stock of replacement pad sets on hand to ensure continuity, particularly in high-traffic or regulated environments