Years ago I recall an Aunt having a collection of very big bathroom mats, the sort that absorbed the water, but had a waterproof backing, probably the size of a big bath towel (as opposed to the dinky little mats you get in those 3-piece collections from Argos :-) ).

Has anyone come across such things recently? If so, where?

The mud bath that's my back garden leads straight into my living room. It's not good at the moment. Don't want the expense of huge Dirt Trapper mats, and just a bit fed up of masses of dog towels gathering up the mud off the paws as they all pass through.

Haven't seen any big bath mats but would this be any use?
http://www.splendidpets.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=40_42&products_id=117

At Champ shows there is often a stand selling second hand (but great!) dirt buster mats. :)

Actually, yes that might do the job nicely. I always thought they were a lot more expensive than that for the size. Thanks :-)

Mmm I thought it was much cheaper than the shop ones.  I was hoping to find the second hand ones which are even cheaper.... :) :)

I still think nothing beats big bath towels. They really are the most absorbant - but even more efficient when you throw a small amount of kibble down as they come in. By the time they've hoovered it all up, there feet are de-muddified

but even more efficient when you throw a small amount of kibble down as they come in. By the time they've hoovered it all up, there feet are de-muddified
I like that!! :) :)

I've got big bath sheets down at the moment and they are doing a grand job. Just I've run out of them, they're all now covered in thick mud & the washing machine's gone on the blink & the wet/mud is now getting down to the carpet :-( So was just thinking of something that might do the job for a bit longer.

But the weather might pick up in a day or two and I might not need to worry about it again until next winter!!

Actually, the rather brightly coloured tartan picnic blanket's doing a good job too ... I suppose with 5 dogs in the house  can't expect the living room to look 'stylish'!

Thanks for replies.

Mmm I thought it was much cheaper than the shop ones

Just spotted in the description, it's a high quality second, so that'll explain why it's cheaper than we expected :-) Might just order a couple.

Pack of 3 x 6'x4' mats in grey for £36 ... That's 2 in the caravan, 1 in my van. Could I make do with grey in the hall and living room? I feel shopping coming on. Thanks WestCoast for this pointer.

Oh I do like a bargain!  :) 

I bought 2 huge ones (too big for the washing machine!) from a Champ show and cut them both in half, so I have 4 - one at the front door, one at the back door, and a clean one for both. :)

They've moved house with me 4 times and must be at least 10 years old and still looking as good as new. :)

I do chuck towels down on top in really muddy weather........ but hadn't thought of Toolz 'self clean' option! :)

Presumably they don't fray if you chop them in half, or even trim the black edges off?  Am thinking of some of the 6x4' ones, as you say probably too big for the washing machine ... although I do dream of one day having an industrial sized machine for all the doggy beds :-)

Will try Toolz 'self-clean' option on their next outing.

No they don't fray at all so you can even cut them around odd shapes - like around my front door.  They're rubber backed and so don't slip or roll up and the cotton pile is set into the rubber.

Sometimes they fly over the towels so I encourage them to linger longer :-)

I envy that solution, Toolz, but doubt that 16 Golden Retriever feet would clean up so easily. Another reason to consider Cavs. Hmm !

It works for boxers too - just requires more towels :-)

> I still think nothing beats big bath towels. They really are the most absorbant - but even more efficient when you throw a small amount of kibble down as they come in. By the time they've hoovered it all up, there feet are de-muddified

What a fantastic idea :-D I wish I'd thought of that!!
I have a bath towel by my back door, however, due to the length of Buster, as he walks in from the garden, he only takes 1 step with each foot before he's cleared the bath mat & ends up leaving huge muddy foot-prints accross the room.
A couple of crumbs of cheese (he's a greedy pig with a nose honed in to food!) will be enough to stop him in his tracks & give the towel a chance to sop up the mud.

I'm looking forward to trying this out :-D

The same website has a pack of 3 grey ones 6x4 for £36.
But when I try to order it tells me that they are not included in any of their shipping methods. Long way to go to collect them :(

The Toolz 'self-cleaning' carpet worked quite well with 24 collie feet this morning!!

I always buy the rag rugs from Ikea, cheap as chips and washable!!

I have few of the mats from Splendidpets and they are great.
One has a little rip in the black rubber bit the others I'm not sure what is wrong with them to make them seconds :)
Might have to order few more as puppies peeing on them I'm constantly washing the ones I have. I have been unable to think of anything as good to stop the puppies slipping on the laminate floors...

And they dry quickly when washed too. :)

I like Turtle Mats for this job.  They aren't cheap but well worth the expense in my opinion.  They're light to handle and wash but completely not slip - they just won't move whilst on the floor!  They wash brilliantly, even on a 30 min wash, and dry fast.  You can often get good deals at Crufts and the plain classic collection is ideal for dog doorways, holding huge amounts of wet muddy footprints!!  Get a long one and your dog will be dry before hitting nice carpets...  They are great for people too and I have a TM in the bathroom and downstairs loo

I also have the splendid pets ones (I think, but I bought it from a show) and quite like them for bigger sizes BUT they aren't as efficient, don't last as long, not as water absorbent and they are pretty heavy to wash and dry.  Mine cannot go in the machine and have to be washed outside with a hose and brush.

My place is organised so that the dogs hit a Turtle Mat first then a splendid pets one!