Good mats will catch the majority of the grit and gravel before it gets in and scratches and wears out your floors. They'll scrape off the soil and tar, etc. And they absorb rainwater, slush, road salt, and mud. Mats save tons of cleaning time and energy, save cleaning supplies and wear and tear on your cleaning equipment as well as your home and its furnishings. Once you have mats you won't have to vacuum or shampoo your carpets as much, or sweep, scrub, strip, and wax your floors as often.
Mats reduce dusting, too, and keep clothes, drapes, and upholstery cleaner.
They make your entrances safer, quieter, and better looking, too. Forget them-they're ineffective, and dangerous, too. The mats are those AstroTurf doormats, the same ones professionals use, like you see at the entrances of supermarkets, department sores, and hospitals. You can get them everywhere, at home improvement or discount stores, janitorial-supply stores, or by mail from The Cleaning Center. Great on treads and waffles, too.