Finally! A Chic Boot Tray That Stops Muddy, Wet Footprints Forever – Stylishly

You won't have to hide this good-looking find away (it can be used as a pet bowl tray, too)

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Large white, bright entryway with open wooden door and winding stair case showing step up to first floor, and down to basement level. It all features extensing hardwood flooring
(Image credit: Doreve Nicholaeff Architecture / Michael Lee)
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It could be the snowy sludge of the past few weeks or the trodden-in mud of the summer months, but it really doesn't take long for our shoes to make our entryway floors filthy.

But there's a simple (yet handsome) fix: this stylish boot tray at Amazon, which catches dirt and moisture in a waterproof container, and takes just seconds to clean. Sure, it's not a brand new invention, but it's a chic take on the usual plastic offerings.

This simple boot tray is all that's needed to contain all of the outdoor mud and sludge that we track inside daily. Rather than stepping it into our entryways, spreading germs around, and dirtying our precious floors, all of that debris and moisture stays within a self-contained, waterproof tray – and it takes only seconds to clean.

It takes less time and effort to keep your entryway clean this way, compared to vacuuming and mopping more than you need to.

Galvanized steel is a more durable and waterproof material than plastic, and while we aren't understating the value of a doormat, that alone won't protect your floor from moisture, as it continues to seep through and remain on the floor until cleaned.

If your entryway is already cluttered, you may not have thought about bringing another addition into the mix. But professional cleaners and interior designers repeatedly tell us that a clutter-free entryway includes elements like a launch pad for daily essentials, so it makes sense that keeping dirty shoes in their dedicated spot is one of the essential things that people with clean entryways always do.

Having places for storage – rather than shoes dotted around with mud falling off them – is essential for a calmer, more considered look. And if the aesthetic isn't quite what you had in mind for your home, this piece comes in more finishes.

Not only will this mean you can enjoy the benefit of a cleaner, less cluttered entryway – you will also be protecting your floors. Accumulated dirt and moisture damages floors over time, especially delicate surfaces such as hardwood, so exposing these surfaces to it again and again will only deteriorate the quality, finish, and lifespan of your precious flooring.

I test the best vacuums for a living, and a big part of that involves speaking to appliance engineers and homeowners about the common faults that vacuum cleaners face.

Incorrectly vacuuming up moisture (like the moisture in wet dirt) is a major cause of vacuum breakages, and by confining it to one rubber tray, you're not only protecting your floors – you're preserving your vacuum's lifespan, avoiding more costly repairs down the line.

This boot tray is available at Amazon, in a range of different finishes.

What Else to Shop?

Next, learn how to clean a floor without streaks.

Dan Fauzi
Dan Fauzi
Home Tech Editor

Dan is the Home Tech Editor for Homes & Gardens, covering all things cleaning, sound, smart home, and air treatment across the Solved section.

Having worked for Future PLC since July 2023, Dan was previously the Features Editor for Top Ten Reviews and looked after the wide variety of home and outdoor content across the site, but their writing about homes, gardens, tech and products started back in 2021 on brands like BBC Science Focus, YourHomeStyle and Gardens Illustrated.

They have spent more than 400 hours testing and reviewing vacuums, soundbars and air purifiers for Homes & Gardens.

Dan has a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Magazine Journalism. Outside of work, you'll find them at gigs and art galleries, cycling somewhere scenic, or cooking up something good in the kitchen.