Guide · Floors, furniture and surfaces ·
How to Clean Rubber Flooring
Rubber floor coverings are chosen for gyms, fitness areas, school sports areas and children's playgrounds because they absorb impact and are slip-resistant. These floors are kept clean with a neutral cleaner and little water; solvents, oily products and polishes, on the other hand, can damage the rubber or make the floor slippery. This guide explains daily cleaning of rubber floors, machine scrubbing, removing stains and the products not to use on rubber.
Types of rubber flooring
- Rubber tiles and rolls: dense-surfaced coverings used in gyms and in weight and cardio areas.
- Poured and granular rubber (EPDM): used on playgrounds, running tracks and outdoor areas; the surface is porous.
- Rubber mats: laid at entrances, in wet areas and in exercise areas.
- For cleaning yoga and pilates mats: how to clean a yoga mat.
- For under treadmills and cardio areas: how to clean a treadmill.
- The floor covering manufacturer's care instructions always take priority.
How to clean rubber flooring: step by step
- Sweep: sweep or vacuum up sand and dust; sand wears the rubber surface.
- Prepare a neutral cleaner: add a neutral surface cleaner to lukewarm water at the amount on the label. According to its safety data sheet, our START all-purpose surface cleaner has a pH of 7–8.
- Mop with a well-wrung mop: clean the floor with little moisture; do not let water collect at joints and edges.
- Rinse if needed: if detergent residue remains on the surface, wipe a second time with a clean, damp mop; residue can make the floor sticky or slippery.
- Let it dry: place a wet floor sign until the floor is dry.
How to clean gym floors?
In gyms, the rubber floor is swept every day and wiped with a well-wrung damp mop; sweat drops and shoe marks are removed at the end of the day. On large areas, a low-foaming floor scrubber surface cleaner is used with a scrubber-dryer; the brush or pad hardness is chosen from the machine manual according to the floor. Silicone and polish products can make the floor slippery underfoot; do not use them. For details, see our guides scrubber-dryer detergent and Gym cleaning supplies.
Outdoor and playground rubber surfaces
Poured rubber (EPDM) surfaces are porous; leaves, sand and dust are removed regularly with a broom or leaf blower. A dirty surface is wiped with a neutral cleaner and rinsed with water. Do not hold a pressure washer too close to the surface; the granules and joints can be damaged. On children's playgrounds, do not reopen the area until you are sure the cleaning products have been rinsed off and the surface is dry.
Stains on rubber flooring
- Shoe marks: remove by rubbing gently with a microfibre cloth dampened with a neutral cleaner or with a white pad.
- Magnesium (chalk) dust: first sweep it up dry, then wipe with a damp mop; wet dust spreads over the surface.
- Chewing gum: harden it with ice and lift it off with a plastic spatula; do not use a metal scraper.
- Grease and food stains: wipe with lukewarm water and a little dishwashing liquid, then rinse with clean water.
- White marks and dullness: mostly detergent residue; reduce the amount and rinse with clean water.
- For gum stuck to carpets, sofas and clothes: how to remove chewing gum.
What not to use on rubber flooring
- Solvents: thinner, acetone and petrol can soften rubber and leave marks on its colour.
- Polish, silicone and oil-based products: make the floor slippery.
- Acidic products: hydrochloric acid and limescale removers are not suitable for rubber flooring.
- Degreasers: do not use high-alkaline degreasers on rubber flooring.
- Bleach: can cause colour loss; follow the flooring manufacturer's instructions.
- Too much water and wire brushes: water can seep through the joints into the adhesive below; a wire brush scratches the surface.
For sports facilities, schools and playgrounds
In sports facilities, schools and municipal playgrounds, a neutral surface cleaner is chosen for mopping rubber floors by hand and a low-foaming scrubber cleaner for machines. Our START all-purpose surface cleaner is produced in 5 L and START Floor Scrubber Surface Cleaner in 5 kg, 20 kg and 30 kg packs. For product lists, see our guides Gym cleaning supplies and School cleaning supplies list; request a quote for bulk purchases.
