How to Choose the Right Tacky Mat for Your Facility

Contamination control mats (commonly known as tacky mats or sticky mats) capture dirt, dust, and particulate matter from shoes and wheeled traffic before it enters controlled environments. Selecting the right mat depends on your facility type, doorway dimensions, and foot traffic volume.

Cleanstep tacky mat — Texwipe CleanStep tacky mat in use

Quick Comparison: BACSMats vs. Texwipe CleanStep™

Feature	BACSMats Sticky Mats	Texwipe CleanStep™ Tacky Mats
Best For	Construction, entryways, dusty sites	ISO Class Cleanrooms, labs, healthcare, data centre
Color Options	Blue	Grey
Adhesive Level	Medium tack (suited for work boots)	Low tack (suited for cleanroom booties & shoes)
Available Sizes	61 x 91 cm / 63.5 x 114.3 cm	63.5 x 114.3 cm
Layers per Mat	30 layers	30 or 60 layers
Cost	AU$215.33 / AU$399.84	AU$554.95
Ordering SKU	64003 64002	64005B 64010B

3 Steps to Selecting the Right Tacky Mat

Step 1: Determine Your Environment or Application

General Industrial & Construction, Data Centre: Choose BACSMats. Their medium-tack adhesive holds up well against heavier work boots and high dust volume.
Cleanrooms, Labs, IVF Clinics: Choose Texwipe CleanStep™ Mats. Built with ISO 9001-certified quality, these feature antimicrobial properties to prevent bacterial growth between layer changes.
If your environment is not mentioned here, check out BACS full tacky mat applicaiton matrix.

Step 2: Measure Doorways & Door Clearance

Width: Place mats side-by-side at main entryways to ensure personnel walk across the mat rather than stepping around it.
Door Clearance:
- 30-Layer Mats (3mm thick): Ideal for tight door clearances.
- 60-Layer Mats (5mm thick): Requires greater clearance but doubles the lifespan between mat replacements.

Step 3: Decide on Mat Frames

If you frequently clean under the mat or your floor is not suitable for adhesive, mount your mat on a reusable BACS Tacky Mat Frame. Options are available for both mats sizes.

If you are not sure, use this useful guide Do I need a frame for my tacky mat?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between medium tack and low tack adhesive?

Medium tack is formulated for rugged footwear (like work boots) that carry larger dirt particles. Low tack is designed for cleanroom booties and smooth shoes to prevent aggressive pulling while still stripping microscopic particles.

How often should tacky mat layers be peeled off?

Peel off a layer whenever the top surface is visibly covered in dirt or loses traction. High-traffic cleanroom entrances typically replace layers once or twice per shift.