How to Clean Rubber Gym Floor: The Best Way to Clean Rubber Gym Floor Mats

So much goes into opening and running a successful fitness facility, from choosing the right equipment to attracting members. However, those managing gyms should put just as much emphasis on retaining members - and keeping your facility clean is a key part of this.

But it’s not just about maintaining morale amongst your membership with clean, hygienic conditions - regular floor cleaning also protects your investment in flooring, which as you know, can be quite expensive to replace.

That’s why we’ve created this guide on how to clean a rubber gym floor. You’ll learn all about daily cleaning practices like sweeping and vacuuming to more advanced tactics like scrubbing with a cleaning solution for tough stains and deep-rooted bacteria.

Invest in your gym’s cleanliness and reputation today with a reliable gym floor scrubber at SweepScrub. From affordable walk-behind units to more sophisticated ride-on units for expansive layouts, we’ve got you covered with the most trusted brands in the industry backed by world-class service!

Why Cleaning Gym Flooring is So Important

There are two reasons you should consider investing in a more streamlined cleaning regimen for your rubber gym flooring. Not only are there health and safety implications, but financial considerations too.

Health and Hygiene for and Members Employees

Let’s face it - your gym floor takes a beating. It’s a breeding ground for sweat, dirt, and bacteria leading to the spread of germs and potential health risks for not just your members but employees as well.

Regular and thorough cleaning removes these contaminants, reduces the risk of disease transmission, and enhances the overall gym experience by promoting a sanitary space that everyone can appreciate.

Members pay good money to use your facility, and if they feel that you’re neglecting the hygiene side of things, they may start to look for other options where they feel safer and protected.

Protecting Your Flooring Investment

Gym floors, particularly those made of rubber, are susceptible to damage from dirt, physical wear, and improper cleaning methods which can degrade the material over time. This is why learning how to clean rubber floor mats gym facilities frequently use is so important. 

A consistent cleaning routine using safe techniques will extend the life expectancy of your flooring, preserving its quality and appearance while helping you avoid the high costs associated with repairing or replacing damaged areas.

And as daunting as it may be, cleaning rubber gym floor mats is actually quite simple and seamless when you have the right approach! So without any further ado, let’s get into the best way to clean rubber gym floor mats below.

How to Clean Rubber Gym Floor: Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Way to Clean Rubber Gym Floor Mats

We’re going to break this guide on how to clean rubber gym floor mats into two separate sections - daily cleaning tasks and deep cleaning processes. Each are important for maintaining an impeccable facility and prolonging the life of your flooring.

Daily Cleaning Tasks

Implementing a few cleaning tasks on a daily basis mean that you won’t have to conduct deep cleaning nearly as frequently. And when you do, it won’t be as strenuous.

Sweeping and Vacuuming

Start each day by removing loose dirt, dust, and debris. This not only keeps the floor's appearance tidy but also prevents the accumulation of abrasive particles that can wear down the surface over time. 

Removing dust and debris will also enhance the effectiveness of more intensive cleaning methods that follow.

So, you can use a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum cleaner equipped with a soft brush attachment to avoid scratching the rubber. You can choose from canister vacuum cleaners to commercial backpack vacuum cleaners or wide area vacuum cleaners depending on your needs.

Better yet, invest in a commercial floor sweeper machine. These are like a vacuum but better - and you can choose from commercial walk behind floor sweeper machines or industrial ride on floor sweepers depending on the size of your facility.

Spot Cleaning

Accidents and spills are inevitable in a gym setting, where pre-workout, protein shakes, or even water can end up on the floor. Addressing these spills promptly prevents staining and slipping hazards. 

Use a mild detergent mixed with water and apply it to the affected areas using a cloth or sponge. Avoid using harsh chemicals that can degrade the rubber material. 

After applying the cleaning solution, wipe the area dry with a soft towel to remove any residue and prevent moisture from seeping into the material, which could cause further damage or odor issues.

Deep Cleaning Process

Even with a solid daily cleaning protocol, learning how to clean rubber gym floor mats requires occasional deep cleaning. This is what actually eliminates bacteria and deep-seated dirt and grime from the flooring.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Solution

Use a pH-neutral cleaner that is specifically designed for rubber materials to avoid damaging the floor. Harsh chemicals can cause the rubber to break down over time, leading to deterioration and potential safety hazards. 

Consult with your flooring manufacturer or a professional cleaning service to ensure the product you choose is safe and effective for your specific type of rubber flooring. For example, you can get in touch with us here at SweepScrub for a recommendation, as we have a great selection of cleaning chemicals ourselves. 

Mopping and Scrubbing Techniques

You’ll reach a crossroads in how you should actually go about cleaning rubber gym floor mats - using a mop or a scrubber. 

A mop is fine for smaller facilities packed with equipment and a strict budget. You’ll need to use a well-wrung microfiber mop to apply the cleaning solution, as these minimize water saturation, which is better for rubber floors. 

For more intensive cleaning, though, a mop will fall short. Not only does it require a ton of manual scrubbing to actually eradicate stains and pathogens, but it oftentimes just spreads them around. It also leaves the surface wet, requiring more drying time before the surface can be used.

This is why we recommend investing in a more sophisticated scrubbing solution, like a commercial floor scrubber.

You may be wondering…can you use a floor scrubber on a gym floor? You sure can! In fact, this is the best way to clean rubber gym floor mats in our opinion. You can’t beat its speed and efficacy.

However, you do need to do your due diligence into the specific machine you use as part of your operation. The last thing you want is to do more harm than good. So, be sure the machine you choose has soft brushes. These won’t gouge or scratch the rubber.

You can find these types of machines here at SweepScrub, where we’ve curated the best selection from the most sought after manufacturers in the industry. Get in touch for a recommendation or browse our collection today.

Drying and Ventilation

Helping your floor dry fast after deep cleaning prevents moisture retention, which can be detrimental to rubber floors. 

Avoid leaving standing water on the surface. Instead, use air movers or fans to accelerate the drying process, and ensure the space is well-ventilated. 

If possible, open windows or use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels in the area, facilitating quicker drying and reducing the risk of mold and mildew formation.

How Often is Deep Cleaning Necessary?

Just like with factory floor cleaning or how to clean a warehouse floor, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer as to how often cleaning rubber gym floor mats is necessary.

For gyms with high daily traffic, deep cleaning might be necessary as frequently as once a month. In less busy facilities, a quarterly deep clean may suffice. 

You may need to schedule extra sessions during rainy or snowy seasons when more dirt and moisture are tracked indoors to help maintain the cleanliness and safety of the floor.

Other Rubber Flooring Care Tips

Beyond learning how to clean rubber gym floor mats, there are a few other things you can do to protect your investment in flooring. 

That includes applying a sealant to enhance their durability and appearance. This acts as a barrier against stains, spills, and abrasions, making the surface easier to clean and maintain over time. 

Choose a sealant that is compatible with rubber flooring and free from harsh chemicals that might degrade the material. Applying a thin coat annually can significantly improve the floor's resistance to wear and tear.

Streamline Your Rubber Gym Floor Cleaning Regimen at SweepScrub Today!

There you have it - how to clean rubber floor mats in gym settings on a daily basis and as part of a more intensive deep cleaning process. But as you can see, the best way to clean rubber gym floor mats is by investing in a sweeper and/or scrubber today at SweepScrub.

Our equipment is an investment in productivity and peace of mind knowing you’re working as diligently as humanly possible while giving your membership the clean, hygienic environment they deserve. 

You won’t have to stress about harming your floor, either, as we have many machines tailored to the specific conditions of rubber flooring. Here are three of our most popular choices:

• Clarke MA10 12E Floor Scrubber: This compact, walk-behind scrubber operates both forward and reverse, allowing thorough cleaning under furniture and tight spaces, leaving floors instantly dry and hygienic.
• Viper AS430C Floor Scrubber: A 17-inch cleaning path and robust design make this machine suitable for a wide range of commercial environments. Featuring a large capacity for solution and recovery, this machine ensures efficient, one-pass cleaning with minimal downtime.
• Tennant T260 Floor Scrubber: This scrubber combines a 20-inch scrubbing path with easy-to-use controls and a compact design, perfect for navigating in small spaces and maintaining high visibility during operation.

These are just a few of the many machines you have at your disposal when you shop with us. Each is backed by impressive warranties and our unparalleled customer service. You can narrow your search by browsing our commercial ride on floor scrubber or commercial walk behind floor scrubber collections.

You can also get a heavy duty commercial vacuum cleaner for those nooks and crannies, and consider an industrial sweeper scrubber that offers the best of both worlds. We mean it when we say this is your one-stop shop for all things commercial cleaning! 

So, elevate your process today and make cleaning rubber gym floor mats as seamless as possible with SweepScrub.

Final Thoughts on How to Clean Rubber Floor Mats in Gym Settings

It’s clear that cleaning rubber gym floor mats is not something you can take lightly, as it influences member morale and hygeine along with your flooring’s longevity. 

Thankfully, you can put the stress of this task in the past now that you know how to clean rubber gym floor mats the best way possible - with reliable equipment at SweepScrub.

From the Nilfisk Advance SC100 Floor Scrubber to the best industrial floor sweeper, we’re here to help you elevate your gym environment to keep it healthy and welcoming. Explore our state-of-the-art solutions today and clean better and faster all at once!