Almost every Ukrainian has a rubber shoe mat right by the front door in their hallway, used to collect moisture and dirt from footwear during bad weather. However, few people realise the simple item has a variety of alternative uses for keeping a home organised.
Often available on sale in inexpensive stores, the trays can be repurposed beyond the corridor to protect surfaces and maintain order. The helpers can serve well in several different situations.
Plant care and gardening
Rubber mats can serve as a tray for indoor flowers. By placing pots on a mat before watering, any excess water that overflows its banks will be contained. The mat will hold the water, ensuring tables, floors and windowsills do not need to be wiped down.
In the spring, the mats can help with seedlings. Homemakers can arrange cups containing young plants on the rubber surface, making it easier to transport them to their desired location or directly to a garden bed without having to hold everything in their hands.
The rubberised surface also provides a convenient workspace for repotting flowers. Any spilled soil is caught on the mat, where it can easily be poured back into its bag without the need to clean anything else up.
Household storage and cleaning
The trays can be used to organise cleaning supplies. Placed inside a cabinet beneath a sink, an inexpensive rubber mat can hold household chemicals. If any products spill or crumble, the residue is contained on the mat rather than spreading throughout the cupboard, making it easily removable later.
A similar approach can be taken in the garage. Rubber trays provide a safe surface for storing cans of paint, solvents and other building liquids that might leak and stain surrounding areas. Because the mats cost pennies, it is not a pity to simply throw them away and buy new ones if they become damaged.
Pets and transport
For households with animals, a rubber mat placed beneath dog or cat bowls will catch any food that pets inevitably pull out of their dishes, ensuring it does not stain the floor or scatter around the kitchen.
In a car, the mats can be used to protect trunk upholstery. They provide a barrier against dirty canisters, tools and any other devices that are not always clean but need to be transported.
