Rubber flooring is excellent for commercial and home gyms. It’s durable, protects the subfloor from heavy equipment, and absorbs sounds and shock.
But as great as it is, cleaning it can feel like a mystery.
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The Easiest Way to Clean Rubber Flooring
To clean rubber flooring, start by thoroughly sweeping it. You can do this with a broom and dustpan or with a vacuum that doesn’t have a beater bar on it. After sweeping, mop the floor with a ph neutral cleaner using either a sponge or microfiber mop. Avoid saturating your mop, especially if your floors are rubber tile, so water doesn’t seep through the cracks.
The Types of Rubber Flooring
There are three main types of rubber flooring – rubber mats, rubber tiles, and giant rubber sheets. Rubber sheets are most commonly used in commercial gyms, while home gyms usually have rubber tile.
Fortunately, cleaning all types of rubber flooring is the same.
How to Clean Rubber Flooring: Step by Step
Cleaning a rubber floor is very easy. Here’s what to do:
- First, sweep the floors with a broom and dustpan or a vacuum without a beater brush. (A beater brush may scratch up the rubber.)
- Mop the floor with a ph neutral cleaner. Some good options are a mixture of dish soap and water or a store-bought cleaner such as ZEP PH Neutral cleaner.
- Allow the floor to completely dry before letting anyone walk on it.
If that doesn’t work, you may need to purchase a rubber degreaser or stain remover from your local hardware store.
How Often Should You Clean Rubber Floors?
The frequency at which you should clean rubber floors depends upon how often you use them. For example, if you’re using your gym daily, you should sweep your rubber floors at least once per week and mop them every couple of weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best mop to clean a rubber gym floor?
The best mop to clean a rubber gym floor is a microfiber mop. A microfiber mop will easily glide over the rubber while cleaning and picking up any excess dirt. Other acceptable options are a sponge mop and wring mop.
Can I steam clean rubber flooring?
I do not recommend steam cleaning a rubber floor. The heat could cause the rubber to warp and buckle. Instead of a steam mop, use a regular mop and pH-neutral cleaner.
What’s the best neutral PH cleaner for rubber floor mats?
Ph neutral cleaners are very mild. If you’re looking for a solution you can make at home, try adding a little bit of dish soap to warm water. If you prefer store-bought cleaners, check out ZEP PH neutral cleaner, or you can try Rubber Flooring Inc’s product for higher traffic areas.
Why has my rubber floor lost its shine?
If your rubber floor has lost its shine, it may be time to reseal it. Applying a rubber sealer usually involves thoroughly cleaning your floor, applying a thin coat of sealant, and then letting it dry. However, instructions will vary by product.
Adding a sealer to your rubber floor can create a high-gloss shine and add a layer of protection.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering the best way to clean rubber flooring, a simple solution of dish soap and water will do the trick. Just make sure to thoroughly sweep the floors before mopping and then opt for a microfiber or sponge mop.
If you’re cleaning rubber floor tiles, go very light with the mopping solution so that it doesn’t seep through the cracks and get the subfloor wet.
