Going to the beach? Besides sunscreen, the most important item on your list should be a straw mat. Straw mats are incredible inventions, yet few people own them. Think about all the times you've stepped onto the hot sand only to feel the skin on the bottom of your feet burn instantly. With a mat, you can set it down, insulate your skin from the hot sand, and as the mat is waterproof and easily shakes out after you've used it, you needn't worry about having to wash it off as soon as you return home.
Straw Beach Mats, Bamboo and Japanese Woven Mats
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Straw beach pads have gained popularity over the years. One side is cushioned with a soft material while the other is straw and prevents sand and moisture from getting into your most personal areas. Sand in unusual places cannot only cause discomfort, but it can also lead to infection. You can prevent this embarrassing situation by using a straw mat whenever you go to the beach. Should you find a secluded spot or nudist beach, you'll never have to worry about sand getting into the wrong area if you use a beach pad.
Straw mats are extremely large and can easily hold two people. A typical straw mat comes in sizes up to 60 by 70 inches. The price on this huge mat is under $15 making it more affordable than a beach towel. You probably fail to think about how sand grains can eat away at the cotton used to make a beach towel. Sand cannot harm straw. For under $50, you can have a huge mat that is six by eight feet. With a mat that big, you can fit your entire family on it and still have room to move around.
Because straw is the hollow, dried out stalk of a grains plant, it is naturally lightweight and durable. Straw mats weigh very little and can be rolled up and carried in your tote bag. Towels take up a lot of room and when damp can weigh many pounds. You'll find that carrying a straw mat takes away any extra weight. You'll leave the beach with the exact same weight basis you had before driving to the beach. No more wet towels that are covered in sand. Sand gets into your car's carpet fibers and literally eats away at them. Changing to a mat allows you to easily shake it out, roll it back up, tie it closed and return it to your tote bag. There's no extra hassle.
What You Need to Know about the Oh-So-Versatile Mats
If there's one item which is ultra versatile that can be used and brought almost anywhere, that is none other than mats. Usually made from plastic or straw, mats are the ultimate household item which every homeowner must have.
Beach and pool parties, outdoor picnics and camping trips are just some of the events where you can bring mats with you. The good thing about bring mats instead of cloth blankets is that the former is more durable. Straw mats, for example, are portable and foldable. They can easily be rolled when you have no use for them anymore to save on space. And when they are spread out, you can use it as a portable beach lounging chair or an instant picnic table – on the ground.
Another good thing about having mats around is that there is a particular design and style that will best suit your needs. To give you an idea about just how versatile mats are when it comes to the design, take a look at the following list:
Bamboo Mats
Bamboo mats serve a multitude of purposes. They can be used as an alternative rug in a room, a more durable substitute to a beach blanket, and it can be used for outdoor picnics as well.
Japanese Mats
One of the most popular type of Japanese mats is the Tatami bed mat. It can be used when you're decorating any room in the house, but they are especially suitable for platform beds and Asian-themed bedrooms.
Woven Mats
Yet another type of mat that you can use either as an indoor décor or for the outdoors are woven mats. Depending on the material used, they can be as light or as heavy as you want to suit the particular purpose.
As you can see, mats are the ultimate household item must have – so make sure to buy one for your home.