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Every workplace must be safe for the people who work there. When it serves the public, it must also be safe for customers. As a bar owner or bartender, you know that keeping your venue clean and safe is essential to the success of your business. A clean bar is first and foremost a guarantee of hygiene, but it is just as much a way of preventing accidents, even if this second benefit may not be obvious at first glance.
Cleanliness does not just make a good impression on customers: it also helps prevent accidents that could happen to you and your staff or to your customers. For example, the "simple" water that drips onto the floor after you leave glasses to drain can make it slippery. Cleanliness also helps you maintain hygiene standards, keeping you compliant with food hygiene regulations (EU food safety rules / HACCP) and making sure there are no unpleasant surprises if health inspectors call.
That is why proper drainage is an aspect of bar cleaning that should never be overlooked. Bar drainage mats play an essential role in ensuring that liquids drain away quickly and safely from the bar top where glasses and other tableware are placed after washing, preventing slips and falls and protecting equipment from damage.
If you want to discover all the benefits of bar mats, how they work and why they are an essential investment in keeping your venue clean and safe for customers and staff, read on!
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Bar mats: cleanliness and order, but also safety and hygiene
Cleanliness and order are essential for attracting and keeping customers. However, they are not just a matter of appearance: they are also a question of safety and hygiene.
One of the most common problems in bars is liquid collecting on the bar top after glasses and other tableware have been washed. If it is not drained properly, the water can cause slips and falls for staff and customers, reach and damage bar equipment such as blenders and other tools, and even become a breeding ground for mould and bad odours, creating an unhygienic and unappealing environment. That is why bar mats are among the most important bar accessories.
How bar mats help: the benefits of using them
The job of a bar mat is to drain liquids quickly from the bar top, whether that is the sink drainer or another surface used for the same purpose. In this way they keep the surface dry and safe for staff and customers.
By stopping water from reaching surfaces other than the one meant for drainage, they protect bar equipment from corrosion caused by liquids and help prevent mould and bad odours from forming on bar surfaces.
Types of bar mat
There are several types of bar mat on the market, each with its own features and benefits:
- rubber mats are strong and durable, and can be washed easily to keep the bar hygienic;
- PVC drainage mats are lightweight and resistant to chemicals, which makes them ideal for bars serving drinks and cocktails.
How to choose the right bar mat for your venue
Bearing in mind that its purpose is to help you achieve the highest standards of safety and hygiene in your bar, consider:
- the type of liquids used and served in your bar;
- how often the bar is used and how busy it gets;
- the look of the bar mat, so that its design suits your venue;
- the type of cleaning and maintenance it requires.
Look after the maintenance and cleaning of your mats
To keep the bar clean and hygienic, bar mats must themselves be kept clean and sanitised. It is therefore important to clean your bar mat regularly to keep it as hygienic as possible and make it last longer:
- remove the mats and wash them with soap and water to get rid of liquid residues and other debris;
- make sure the drainage mats are completely dry before putting them back on the bar;
- check their condition regularly and replace any mat that is damaged or worn.
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Other bar cleaning and safety considerations
Of course, as well as the mats, bar surfaces must also be cleaned and disinfected regularly with suitable products to prevent mould and bad odours. The same goes for other surfaces, including floors, which must be kept clean and dry to prevent slips and falls.
Bar mats: an essential investment you should not put off
In short, bar mats are an essential investment for any bar that wants to keep a clean, safe environment for customers and staff. They make work more efficient and help keep other equipment in good condition, which would otherwise be exposed to corrosion, mould and bad odours. Choose the right bar mat for your venue from our catalogue now and ensure a clean, safe working environment.
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