How to Clean Gym Mats at Home
We live in a busy world where people hardly have enough time for their everyday tasks. This busy routine and lack of time result in disrupted lifestyles and poor standards of living. This is one of the major reasons why health issues are on the rise.
People are so busy with their everyday things that they hardly have any time for their own selves. This results in sedentary lifestyles with no room for any physical exercise. While it's nearly impossible for people to join any gym, what they often do is that they set up functional home gyms with all the necessary exercise equipment.
Common Issue with Rubber Gym Floors
Are you someone who has got exercise equipment and gym floors or rubber floors at home? If the answer to the above question is 'Yes,' you can probably relate to the issue of cleaning an exercise mat at home.
For those who work out regularly, it is not long before their exercise mat or rubber gym floor starts to stink. The rubber flooring surface texture feels oily and gives a sense of discomfort. These unclean and unhygienic rubber gym floor mats can spoil your mood and lower your motivation for the workout while also being a major source of germs and bacteria. This can cause serious fungal or bacterial infections. Thus, causing allergies, rashes, or other skin infections.
While all of it sounds very grim and suggests against having gym floor mats at home, the best part about exercise or rubber floor mats is that you can clean them at home without any issues. So, there is little to no maintenance involved, and you can have your gym floor in its original state.
Some Common Ways to Clean Rubber Gym Floors
Dirt Cleaning – Brushes or Towels
Dirt is one of the most common causes of irritation during exercise. Often it happens that you are working out, and the excessive sweating results in a wet rubber gym floor. As a result of that, dirt sticks to the gym floor surface and can pile up.
This existence of dirt can cause irritation and skin allergies. Therefore, it is very important to clean your rubber tiles or gym floors on a regular basis so that dust particles do not pile up.
To solve the issue, what you need to do is you can take a brush or a clean piece of cloth and use it to clean the surface of a stretched-out yoga mat. This won't take a lot of time and will clean your rubber gym flooring.
Everyday Cleaning – Specialized Rubber Floor Cleaners
If you want to clean your rubber gym floor mats on a daily basis, you can simply purchase an exercise mat cleaning liquid and spray it on your mat. Once you have done that, all you need to do is to use a clean towel to wipe your mat. This can be done after every workout session.
While this practice will maintain the cleanliness of your mat, it is not compulsory to repeat it on a daily basis.
Disinfectant Wipes or Tissues
Another smart way of cleaning rubber gym floors at home is to use disinfectant wipes or tissues. They will not only eliminate the germs and bacteria from the mat but will also prevent any foul smells. These tissues can be used on a daily basis. However, it is your decision to choose the frequency of cleaning
Vacuum Cleaners or Floor Scrubbers
Vacuum cleaners and floor scrubbers can also be used to clean rubber gym floors, as they will suck any dust particles out of the mat's surface. This is similar to using vacuum cleaners to clean carpets and other mats in our houses.
The Ultimate Formula for Cleaning – Carpet Shampoo, Detergent, or Soap:
While the above methods are quick cleaning fixes that can give promising results without much effort, this method is a deep cleaning formula that will renew your exercise mat and eliminate any germs, bacteria, or dust particles from its surface.
1st Step – Prepare a Soapy Solution
Firstly, you need to prepare a soapy solution by mixing carpet shampoo, detergent, or soapy liquids in warm water. Make sure that you are adding these cleaning agents in the right quantities and stirring the mixture well. Once you feel like the mixture is ready, you can use a foam, a towel, or a piece of cloth to clean your exercise mat.
2nd Step – Clean the Dirt/Debris
Stretch out the mat on a flat surface and clean any dirt or dust particles from its surface by using a brush or a piece of cloth. A brush is preferable as it would clean the mat surface better.
If you are using the mat after a long time or feel that a lot of dust has accumulated on its surface, it is better to use a vacuum cleaner as that would ensure the perfect removal of dirt or dust particles.
3rd Step – Spread the Solution on the Mat's Surface
This is the most crucial step in the thorough cleaning of the mat. You should spread the soapy solution over the entire surface of the mat. You can use a towel or a piece of cloth to do that. Make sure that you are not overdoing it on the mat's surface. However, a proper spread of the solution is preferable.
4th Step – Scrub
Scrub the mat's surface properly so that the germs and bacteria are killed while also removing any sticky dust particles and debris. I discourage the use of abrasive cleaning pads as they can shorten the lifespan of your rubber gym floor. Use something a little lighter such as a rag, a soft scrub brush, or a sponge.
5th Step – Clean it Up and Dry
Once you have properly scrubbed your rubber gym floor surface, you can use a dry towel or piece of cloth to clean up the mat. You may use a separate clean foam to dry the rubber floor surface. Once you have removed the residue, let it dry under normal room conditions.
Conclusion
If you have followed the thorough cleaning process, your rubber flooring should be as clean as a brand new mat as all the dust, germs, bacteria, and other infection-causing microorganisms would be removed. It is a recommended practice to thoroughly clean your gym mats once a month at least, especially if you work out regularly.
This will not only keep your mat in a great state but will also save you from any form of allergies and skin infections.
Keep it Nice and Clean
