If you care for your foam mats correctly, they can last for years. There are 2 main types of foam mats - tiles and foam core mats. They require slightly different care and maintenance.
Cleaning is vital if the mats are being used in the gym. They will be exposed to lots of germs from the bottom of people’s shoes, which hands are then touching.
Not only this, but there will be lots of other dust, debris, chalk, sweat, hairs, and other contaminants reaching the mats. It is vital to clean them regularly, for the safety of all gym users, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Unclean foam mats can lead to many health issues, the most common of which being developing a skin infection. Irregular cleaning can cause your mats to break down faster and the surface can begin to crack.
These ruptured surfaces can provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and so the longer you can prevent this, the better.
Cleaning Jigsaw Mats (tiles)
Your first step is to sweep the floor area with a brush, or gently vacuum the tops of the mats. If you are vacuuming, choose a soft head attachment to prevent damaging the surface of the mats.
Make up a gentle, pH neutral cleaning solution. We have included some ideas below.
Find a mop and bucket, and dip the mop head into your cleaning solution. Wring out as much of the water as possible and mop over the surface of the mats.
Alternatively, you could fill a spray bottle with your cleaning solution. Mist this over the surface of your mats and wipe them until they are dry with your mop.
We recommend drying them off after this to prevent mold formation. Use a microfiber cloth for the best results.
Cleaning Foam Core Mats
These mats have foam in the center to provide padding, and are covered all around in a layer of vinyl.
Sweep the surface of the mats with a brush or gently vacuum to remove any loose bits of debris.
Dampen a cloth and wipe the surface of the mats well. Try not to get the mat too wet as this can allow water to seep through the vinyl and soak into the foam.
We suggest only using household detergents and a damp cloth to clean the mats, try to avoid anything more aggressive.
We suggest spraying the detergent onto the cloth as opposed to the mat. Another good suggestion, albeit a less eco-friendly method, is to use disposable anti-bacterial wipes.
What Not to Do
We do not advise using a mechanical or motorized vacuum attachment to clean your mats. These can cause the surface to tear.
We do not recommend using bleach, hand sanitizer, or alcohol-based cleaning products.
We don’t suggest using a steam mop over a traditional one. This is because steam mops get very hot in order to produce the steam. These temperatures can cause the foam mats to distort and warp in shape.
We also advise against soaking the mats in water. They can take a very long time to dry and cannot be used while wet. If you notice water pooling underneath any mats you should clean them and hang them up to dry completely.
Do not use the mats immediately after cleaning, while they are still wet. This is because they can be slippery. You should not roll them up until they have dried out completely as this provides good conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Allow them to sit out on the ground to dry out completely overnight.
Cleaning Solutions
The best solution we have found for cleaning foam mats is a mixture of white vinegar and warm water. You can even add in a few drops of essential oil to make the mats smell fresh.
You could also use a solution of warm water mixed with some dish soap or household detergents. Detergents used should be EPA approved, skin-friendly, and non-toxic.
You should spray disinfectant over the cleaned surface of the mats. The EPA has approved sanitizers, and we recommend using these. Ensure you allow the detergent to sit on the surface of the mat for a sufficient amount of time. This is known as the dwell time - how long the sanitizer must sit on the surface to allow the germs to be killed off.
You could use ionized water or UV light to disinfect your mats, if you don’t like chemicals.
Automated Cleaners
If the idea of manual cleaning does not appeal to you, or you have a large area of mat to clean, we suggest investing in a floor scrubber.
Bulldog is a good brand for this. The WD20 model is designed to clean foam tile mats, rubber grappling mats, and more. They will apply detergent, scrub it into the surface, and extract all of the water in one smooth motion.
This is a very hassle free way to clean your mats, and in our opinion, a hugely worthwhile investment.
How to Keep Your Mats as Clean as Possible
Ask all users to remove their shoes prior to stepping on the mats. This will prevent outside dirt and germs from being trodden into the surface, helping to keep the mats cleaner. It will also prevent stones and other small debris from damaging the mat’s surface.
For another layer of protection, we suggest asking users to wash their feet too. This will reduce the amount of sweat that makes its way onto the mat. If anyone has stinky feet, this will make the entire experience more pleasurable for everyone.
You could also ask users to spot check the mats after they have been used. This simply means that if they have bled, sweat, or got any other bodily excretions on the mat during use, they must clean it up before moving on.
This will not keep the mats in perfect condition, but it will help to make the cleaning process much easier.