Catherine Hiles
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BeeDry Mat Review: Storable Mat from BeeFit Designs Protects Car Seats

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beedry mat review

4.5 out of 5 stars rating

 

 

If you have ever gone for a long hike on a muddy day, you know the pain of having to sit your dirty self in your clean car afterward. You glance down at your muddy legs, remembering the time you slipped and fell on your butt while scrambling down a hill. Then, you glance at your car seat, wondering if you should make the drive home pants-less or risk dirtying your upholstery and having to pay for a thorough detailing. Chances are, you drive home pants-free, hoping you don’t get pulled over along the way and have to explain your appearance.

If this has ever happened to you (or sounds like something that could), the BeeDry Mat is the product you’re looking for.

Product: BeeDry MatTM
Manufacturer: BeeFit DesignsTM
Price: $54.99
Size: Approx. 4.0-feet long by 1.5-feet wide
Website: http://www.beefitdesigns.com/shop


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beedry mat review

Product Information

The BeeDry Mat is designed to protect your car seat against a myriad of gross things: sweat, snow, dirt, grease, spills, animal hair, and more. It’s not a traditional seat cover that’s there 24/7; instead, the BeeDry Mat rolls up neatly and can be stored behind your headrest when not in use. It’s primarily marketed to people who tend to sweat a lot, either in their jobs or at the gym, but it can also be used as a seat protector under a child’s car seat, a yoga mat, a picnic blanket, or a beach towel.

The product is available in a variety of colors; all are black, but have protective binding around the edges in pink, black, camouflage, blue, red, and grey.

Product Quality

When you first take it out of the packaging, the BeeDry Mat has quite a strong odor. Don’t worry–this is typical of neoprene, and the smell will dissipate if you roll the mat out and let it air for a while. The smell isn’t overpowering by any means, but it’s definitely there. The mat itself is thick and durable, and slightly cushioned, giving you an extra layer of comfort on your car seat. The edges are double- and triple-stitched, so they don’t look like they will fray any time soon.

It’s lightweight and easy to carry around–lighter than most yoga mats. It fit well in my tiny Mazda2, and looks like it would easily fit in a bigger car (so, basically all other cars).

As previously mentioned, the mat is made from neoprene, and therefore should not be used by anyone with an allergy to this material. You’ll also want to use it with caution if you suffer from dermatitis. If you experience a rash, skin discoloration, or any discomfort after contact with the mat, discontinue use and see your doctor.

beedry mat review

Instructions for Usage

When you receive your BeeDry Mat, it’ll be rolled up and fastened just like it will be when you’re not using it. Simply unclip or loosen the strap at the top of the mat and attach it around your seat’s headrest. Next, unclip the two buckles holding the mat in its rolled-up position and unroll the mat so that it covers your seat. That’s it.

When you’re not using it, Bee Fit Designs recommends re-rolling it and storing it behind your seat. Over-exposure to sunlight can weaken the neoprene material, resulting in a dry or cracked mat.

To clean, Bee Fit Designs suggests hand- or machine-washing on a gentle cycle using cold water. Alternatively, you can spray it down with a garden hose or shower head. Soap can be used, though it’s not necessary. To dry, hang the mat on a wide hanger; NEVER machine-dry. Spray with Scotchgard for extra protection.


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beedry mat review

Preparation for testing

Overall Assessment: Does It Do What It Advertises?

To test out the BeeDry Mat, I went for a trail run on an unseasonably warm Ohio morning after a couple of rainy days. There was a decent amount of mud, though not as much as I was hoping for. After sliding around the trail for a little over six miles, I trudged back to my car and unrolled the BeeDry Mat over my car seat. Since I had failed to fall on my bum in a mud puddle, the mud was mainly concentrated on my shoes, so I rubbed them on the mat for good measure. It wasn’t the muddiest it could have been, but it was a decent amount. I took a seat and started to drive home.

The mat was comfortable enough that I didn’t even notice it was there. When I got home, I gave it a quick look and saw that the mud had stayed on the mat; underneath, my seat was still clean. Score!

Obviously, the mat was now quite dirty, so I decided to see how it would fare in the washing machine. I followed the manufacturer’s instructions, washing on a delicate cycle with cold water; I added a drop of detergent, though that is not necessary when cleaning the mat. I hung the mat to dry on a hanger in my shower. After it was dry (which took longer than I expected), I tested it out again in my car and it was equally comfortable to sit on.

The only thing I have to note about the mat’s comfort is that I could feel it on my upper back when I first sat on it. However, this is because the BeeDry Mat had been rolled up–once it was straightened out by hanging in the shower to dry, this issue went away. I wouldn’t say it was ever uncomfortable, though–just that I could feel it.

Overall, the BeeDry Mat seems to do what it’s supposed to do–protect your car seat from mud, sweat, and whatever other icky things you have to throw at it. Though it’s a little expensive at $54.99, it’s definitely worth considering if you have a messy child or exercise outside for long periods of time in humid weather. However, its high price point would add up quickly if you wanted one for multiple seats.

The BeeDry Mat is available online through the manufacturer’s website.

Product provided for review by manufacturer.

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