rubber gym floor cleaner

How to Use Rubber Gym Floor Cleaner to Make Your Facility Shine

By John Scillieri Hours Published on

Rubber flooring is one of the most popular options for home gyms or weight rooms.  For professional facilities, it’s a staple.  It’s durable and offers excellent shock absorption.  To extend the lifespan of your facility, you’ll want to use a rubber gym floor cleaner — the right way. 

Rubber Gym Floor Cleaner: The Good News

The good news is that rubber gym flooring is easy to clean.  You don’t need to use many products or labor-intensive techniques to clean and maintain a rubber gym floor.  Rubber flooring is also easy to keep clean and maintain because it is moisture and mold-resistant. 

But, dirt and grime can get stuck on the textured surface of a rubber floor or in-between interlocking mats. 

Failing to stick to a cleaning routine can lead to discolored rubber floors.  It won’t look professional if you’re running a commercial sports facility.  Below, we’ll cover the top rubber gym floor cleaning techniques and supplies you’ll need to maintain your gym floor easily.

Cleaning materials you’ll need:

  • Bucket, mop, and sponge
  • Mild detergent or a pH neutral cleaner
  • Broom and dustpan, vacuum
  • Scrubbing machine (optional)

Sweeping and vacuuming

The first step to cleaning any flooring is to sweep or vacuum it.  But if you’re using a vacuum, you’ll need to take extra precautions.  Unfortunately, the wrong vacuum can damage a rubber gym floor.  You’ll need to use a vacuum with a rolling, soft beater brush to clean any dust and debris. 

Cleaning a rubber gym floor with an effective, safe cleaner

Fortunately, rubber flooring is so easy to clean that you don’t even need to use chemicals on the floor.  Cleaning products with harsh solvents or acids should be avoided at all costs. These substances can impact the rubber and cause it to erode. 

Let’s say plain water and a mild detergent won’t cut it.  So what type of rubber gym floor cleaner is safe to use?  A neutral pH cleaner is a safe and effective option. 

These products are concentrated and will cut through grime while leaving the rubber floor film-free.  pH cleaners are usually biodegradable products that can be used the old-fashioned way with a mop or sponge.  Or if you’re feeling fancy, an auto-scrubber. 

What if your rubber gym floor is extra grimy?

You might need to consider using a scrubbing machine if your rubber gym floor needs some extra TLC to get it clean again.  You can opt for a scrubbing machine that’ll remove stubborn grime quickly and safely and save you some elbow grease.  Scrubbing machines effortlessly glide across interlocking rubber gym floor tiles.  They will remove any water from the gaps between the mats. 

If using a scrubbing machine isn’t an option, some elbow grease and a sponge will work.  If you have to wet down your floor to remove stuck-on grime, be careful not to soak the rubber flooring.  Simply apply your water and cleaner with a sponge and scrub away stains and dirt by hand. 

Change the water frequently to prevent streaking and ensure the floors are sanitary.  You can also use a mop.  Use a lint-free version for best results. 

How to maintain a rubber gym floor

Rubber floors are some of the easiest gym flooring options to maintain.  That being said, they still require a maintenance routine, even if it’s not as in-depth as, say, the routine needed for a hardwood gym floor.

  • Clean spills quickly — Rubber flooring is moisture-resistant.  But, liquid that isn’t cleaned asap can seep down under the flooring and impact the adhesive underneath. 
  • Don’t use harsh chemicals — Many of the chemicals and dyes used in most floor cleaners are way too harsh for rubber flooring.  The wrong cleanser can discolor the floor and reduce its lifespan and effectiveness.  Use only mild detergents or pH-neutral cleansers. 
  • Regularly clean dust and debris — You’ll want to vacuum or sweep the floors at least once a day.  High-traffic gyms may need multiple vacuuming sessions a day. 
  • Swap the tiles occasionally — Rubber floor tiles that see a lot of foot traffic should be swapped out with low-traffic areas periodically.  This will prevent the tiles from wearing out and needing to be replaced frequently. 

Rubber gym floor cleaning dos and don’ts:

  • Don’t use a shop or wet vac on a rubber gym floor
  • Do use a scrubbing machine for rubber gym floors to remove excess moisture between tiles
  • Do use a soft, beater brush attachment on a vacuum to clean dust and debris between tiles
  • Don’t mop interlocking rubber gym floor tiles
  • Do wash interlocking rubber gym floor tiles by hand
  • Don’t use harsh cleansers
  • Do use mild detergent and pH neutral cleansers on rubber floors

Rubber gym floor cleaner: The bottom line

Treat your rubber gym floor well, and it will last you for many years to come.  Always be mindful of the type of cleaner you use, and be sure to dust and vacuum daily.  High-traffic areas with interlocking tiles should be swapped out with low-traffic areas. 

With the proper routine and maintenance, your rubber gym floor will serve you well, whether at home or in a commercial facility. 

Are you looking to have a rubber gym floor installed or replaced?  Give us a call at (973) 801-7219 or contact us online, and we’ll be glad to answer your questions.

John Scillieri

John Scillieri is the Founder and Managing Partner of J & J Gym Floors, bringing over three decades of expertise in hardwood flooring to the sports and fitness industry. Following in the footsteps of his father, a renowned hardwood floor professional, John launched J & J Gym Floors after graduating college, combining rich family tradition with innovative approaches to gym floor installation, maintenance, and customization.

With a passion for quality craftsmanship and a commitment to customer satisfaction, John has led J & J Gym Floors to become a trusted name in the industry. His hands-on approach and deep understanding of flooring technologies ensure that every project, from local school gymnasiums to professional sports arenas, receives the highest standard of care and attention to detail. When he's not transforming gym floors, John enjoys staying active and spending time with his family, always keeping an eye out for the next big trend in sports flooring.