Bunnings and Aldi item that shoppers 'can't live without' when caravanning and camping: 'Lifesaver'

Summer in Australia marks the start of plenty of outdoor activities as people rush to make the most of the glorious, warmer months. Whether you're a frequent beachgoer or love packing up the caravan or throwing a tent in the back of your car, there is no denying we Aussies love the fun and freedom that summer represents.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to those long, lazy days at your local swimming spot or weekends spent at that hidden camping spot, and that is sand. Yep, those pesky little particles love to stick (literally) around no matter how much you rinse feet and little bodies - leaving a trail from the car, through the house and even right into bed.

It was a problem one Aussie mum knew all too well, and it led her to create a solution for anyone else who has had enough of bringing half the beach back home with them.

Common summer problem solved with Mum's invention

“We’re a surfing family so I was always vacuuming sand out of the car and around the house,” Gold Coast mum of two, Suzanne Horton, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “We’d just had astroturf put down in our backyard and I started taking an off-cut out with us in the car for the kids to brush their feet on after going to the beach.”

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The little blades worked like brushes removing all the grit and her boys, Josh, now 18, and Lachie, 16, liked the way it felt.

As it turned out, they weren’t the only ones to be impressed.

“Every time we went out people commented about the mat. I said to my husband 'if I had a $1 for everyone who asked about it…’ and that’s when it all started,” Suzanne, 50, says.

With no great ambition to launch her own business, Suzanne decided to invest $10,000 and see where it got her. She launched Muk Mat, described as a “patch of grass on the ground” in 2017 and incredibly the first 500 mats sold out within three weeks.

People loved how well they worked, keeping them either in the car for use straight after the beach or using them as doormats to stop the sand from entering their homes.

The reviews came in thick and fast.

“No more sweeping/vacuuming foot traffic debris every day,” wrote one happy customer. “I've tried other mats promising good results and been disappointed, but these mats are a game changer!”

“Great mat. Soft underfoot and does a great job keeping my feet clean,” wrote another.

From then on things went crazy, especially after Suzanne discovered a new market for the mats.

To check out the full Muk Mat range, click here.

Campers and caravanners praise Muk Mats

It wasn’t just homes getting sandy but also camper vans and tents.

So Suzanne designed Muk Mats for caravan steps and entryways as well as bigger mats to go outside tents and campers. Because the astroturf is designed as an outdoor product the Muk Mats are super durable and easy to hose off when they get dirty.

“I thought it would primarily be a beachgoer product but it has become a caravanning product and our step mats are now our best sellers,” she says.

The community loves them, and the majority five-star reviews attest to how well they work.

“Amazing mat, perfect fit for the inside step and keeps most of the dirt at the door. Would certainly recommend these mats for a clean caravan,” reads one review.

“Love our little Muk Mat! Not only is it super cute, it works great for keeping the dirt out of the van,” said another.

And, in a recent Facebook group for caravanning enthusiasts, one new member asked "First-time caravaners here.... what is the one hack or item that you couldn't live without in your caravan?" prompting several people to reply 'Muk Mats'.

Content creator Kat, who shares her caravanning with kids adventures on TikTok as @hereandnowaus has also called the Muk Mats a 'lifesaver', while creators The Greying Nomads call them 'awesome.'

Muk Mats stocked at Aldi, Bunnings and more

Suzanne got her products stocked in huge retailers like Anaconda, Aldi and Bunnings Marketplace but, as well as growing a huge online business, she’s keen to give back too.

In October she started working with the Australian Surf Life Saving Foundation, donating $2 for every ground Muk Mat sold. The money will help provide training and equipment to volunteer lifesavers, and help keep families like Suzanne’s safe.

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“Muk Mat was born from my love of the beach,” Suzanne says. “Our mats have already saved countless Aussies from the frustration of gritty interiors, and now we’re excited to support our volunteer surf lifesavers who ensure everyone enjoys the beach safely.”

To check out the full Muk Mat range, click here.

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