I am looking for a super duper door mat that holds and traps the muddy paw prints and dries the feet.  I have heard Turtle mats are good but at around £70.00 for a large one, just wondered if they were as good as the advert says?

I use a big bit of non-slip vet bed by the back door.  Cheap, effective and easy to wash & dry.

I didn't realise they were that expensive now. My big one has lasted years & gets thrown in the washing machine a lot. Comes out good as new but I have to remember to clear out the filter afterwards.

I have the small turtle mats and they are really good, the price of the larger ones put me off though and I got a similar one from B&Q for £40, it is as absorbent but is not as easy to wash as it is rubber backed.
Angela

Thought I needed a large one so the big dogs would get all 4 paws on it rather than step over it.  Does it dry there feet completely as claimed by the company?

Yep Turtle Mat all the way.  I've had cheaper ones but they've not lasted as long, and not been as absorbent as the original Turtle Mat.  In my opinion they really are worth the money - although saying that, I think I got mine on special offer at Crufts one year! :)

Turtle mats here too.  I use the the 75 x 100cm because it is far easier to get in the machine.  They have recently gone up to £44 each.  They were £39.95 for years. 

I have 4 at the back door, and with 3 Collies, I need them.

However, I don't mess about cleaning filters, and I don't want bits of fluff on my clothes, so I have always put dog stuff inside a zip up duvet cover, along with the washing powder, or tablets, whatever I'm using at the time.

This is what I use, have done for years.  I have the largest size.  I put dog toys and collars etc in one too.  Sure saves the dog hairs in your machine.  ;-)

http://www.petsbydesign.co.uk/mcartfree/product.asp?typeid=1&catalogid=19&subcatalogid=&productid=42

> I have always put dog stuff inside a zip up duvet cover

What a bloomin' good idea.  I do it with small delicates but never thought about doing it with my dog stuff to keep dog hair in and under control.  Next time I'm in a charity shop I know what I'm looking for!!

> What a bloomin' good idea.

One tip!   Don't forget to turn duvet cover inside out - while you are in the garden, not in the house! 

I actually have a padded lingerie bag for underwired bras, so they don't get ruined in the machine.  It is ideal for dog collars, so you don't hear the clunk of metal as it goes through a cycle.  :-)

See!  All these trivial bits of information are helpful to someone after all!

Top tip!
Thanks for posting that very sensible advise.

Karen :)

No can't recommend the Turtle Mats, we've got 2, but we still get muddy paws and footprints even walking over 2 of them and they are the large ones.. I've started putting vet bed down, its no better or worse than turtle mats.