Tacky Mats: How They Work and Why Every Cleanroom Needs Them
Tacky mats – What are they? Do I really need them for my cleanroom? Which ones should I buy? How do I use them properly?
There are so many questions and dilemmas about buying the right tacky mat and using it properly. Don’t worry – in this blog post you’ll find the answers to all of the questions above!
What are tacky mats?
Tacky mats are mats with a sticky, adhesive surface. That is why they are also called sticky or adhesive mats. Their main role is to keep cleanrooms contaminant-free. They do this by cleaning the bottom of footwear or cart wheels from any contaminants and particulates. That is why they are placed at the entrances to cleanrooms, for example.
How does a tacky mat work?
If you are skeptical about how a mat can be so sticky that it removes even the finest particles and dust, you’ll want to read the following explanation:
The cleanroom sticky mats available at Medco Supplies are made of thin layers of polyethylene film, coated with strong adhesives like Ethyl Acetate, MEK, Ethylhexlacrylate and Buthylacrylate. It is thanks to these adhesives that tack mats manage to capture dirt particles.
What are tacky mats used for and where?
Like we already mentioned, a tacky mat is used for trapping all sorts of contaminants and particulates like dirt, dust, debris, germs even.
So where do we need something like this? Healthcare, construction, factories, industry – these are the main fields where tacky mats play an important role.
Here are some examples of facilities where sticky mats are used:
- Healthcare facilities
- Labs
- Cleanrooms
- Industrial facilities
- Factories
- Rooms with sensitive equipment
- Gyms and large sports halls
How do you install a tacky mat properly?
If you want to make the most out of your tacky mats, make sure you go through these 5 simple steps – they will guide you through the process of installing your tacky mat properly:
1. Choose the Best Place(s) For Your Tacky Mat
Depending on the amount of contaminants and particulates present, and also on the size, structure and other factors specific for your facility, you might want to place a tack mat in more than one place. Some examples include:
- Hallway door
- Gowning area
- Staging area
- Entry door
2. Make Sure Your Tacky Mats Are Big Enough
Sticky mats perform best when they are big enough. The mat should be long enough to enable you to step on it with both your feet minimum once. The more steps you’re able to make on a tack mat, the more efficient the removal of all particulates will be.
You may want to place your mats vertically or horizontally – whatever works best for your environment.
3. Be Sure the Floor is Clean Before Placing a Tacky Mat
It is very important for the floor to be cleaned prior to placing an adhesive mat. Don’t forget that any adhesive left over from a previous mat also needs to be cleaned.
You can clean the floor efficiently with a 70:30 mixture of alcohol and deionized water.
4. Install Your Tacky Mat
When placing your tacky mats, first peel off the bottom protective layer/sheet.
Then lay down your tacky mat, sticky-side-down.
Start installing your mats from one end of the entrance.
Take it by the first two corners. While doing this, make sure you keep the rest of the mat away from the floor so it doesn’t stick to it before it should.
Press the mat down at the corners you’re holding.
Carefully smooth the mat down. Do this slowly from one end to the other, making sure you remove any air bubbles present. It’s like placing any sticker really, just with extra care.
Tack mats for the healthcare industry, factories etc. can be mounted on a sticky mat base. This is an optimal solution for an environment where the mats need to be moved often.
How often should tacky mats be changed?
A tacky mat should be changed when it is visibly dirty. This happens after approximately 50 walkthroughs on average.
Tacky mats available at Medco Supplies consist of 30 sheets per mat. When the top sheet becomes dirty, simply remove it carefully. By doing this you will expose a new, clean sheet.
Do I Really Need a Tacky Mat?
Despite following the strictest PPE protocols and rules, your cleanroom can still face the challenge of getting rid of all the dust, dirt, germs and other particulates inevitably brought in by feet and carts. The only solution is to catch the contaminants at the entrance by using a tack mat. At Medco Supplies, we offer sticky floor mats to help keep your sterile space contaminant-free.
Choose your preferred size and color and order your tacky mats supplies! Contact us for a quote!
