How to Clean Rubber Flooring: 4 Effective Tips and Techniques
SEPTEMBER 8, 2023
- How Often Should You Clean Your Rubber Flooring?
- Benefits of Regular Cleaning for Rubber Surfaces
- How to Clean Rubber Flooring Safely
- Essential Supplies and Precautions for Cleaning Rubber Surfaces
- Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Rubber Surfaces
- Specialized Cleaning Tips for High Traffic Rubber Floors (e.g cleaning a rubber gym flooring)
- Preventing Damage and Maintaining Rubber Flooring
We can see rubber paving everywhere, from playgrounds, pool decks, running tracks, and pavements to interior floors in gyms, garages, recreational centers, and more. The popularity of rubber surfacing is explained by its durability, versatility, resistance to extreme weather conditions, and UV-rays exposure.
Whether you’re looking into installing rubber surfacing for private or public use or already have one, it’s essential to know the simple cleaning tips and techniques that will help prolong the flooring lifespan. Read on to discover easy-to-follow maintenance methods and how to clean rubber surfaces to keep them in brand-new condition.
How Often Should You Clean Your Rubber Flooring?
Rubber floor cleaning should be done regularly, especially in high-traffic areas. The best solution is to establish a regular cleaning and maintenance routine to keep it clean.
Using a dry vacuum every other day helps minimize dirt, providing a bright look. Also, less grit means fewer surface scratches. Once a week, mop the floor with soap and water.
To keep your rubber in good condition, wipe out any spills, as standing water can cause damage to the floor, namely to the underlying adhesive.
You should clean and maintain your flooring weekly or even daily, depending on how often it is used.
Benefits of Regular Cleaning for Rubber Surfaces
Whether it’s rubber flooring, mats, seals, or rubber-based items, keeping them clean has a significant impact on their longevity and functionality. Let’s learn the key benefits of regular cleaning for rubber surfaces.
- Enhanced safety: Rubber flooring stands out with its non-slip qualities that prevent slips and falls. Therefore, many gyms, playgrounds, industrial areas, and swimming pool decks have rubber paving. Regular cleaning removes oily residues, standing water, spills, and other slippery substances, ensuring that rubber remains safe for people.
- Improved durability. Cleaning helps remove dirt, debris, pool chemicals, and contaminants that can damage rubber over time. By prolonging the paving lifespan, you can avoid costly repairs and resurfacing services.
- Neat look: Addressing any stains and spills leads to promptly keeping the fresh look, keeping the rubber surface in excellent condition.
- Mold and mildew prevention: Shaded and exposed to moisture or humid environments, rubber surfaces are prone to mold and mildew growth. Regular cleaning prevents the buildup of moisture and removes organic matter where mildew and mold thrive, minimizing the risk of such an issue occurring.
- Improved hygiene: Rubber flooring in kitchens, bathrooms, healthcare facilities, and indoor playgrounds can harbor bacteria and germs. Routine cleaning with mild-detergent and rubber-safe disinfectants helps maintain a hygienic environment, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
- Reduced allergen exposure: Besides germs, the rubber surfacing can collect allergens like dust or pet dander. Systematic cleaning helps keep these allergens in check, benefiting those with allergies or respiratory sensitivities.
- Cost-effective maintenance: Proper cleaning routine is a low-cost maintenance practice compared to replacing or resurfacing rubber flooring prematurely due to neglect.
It’s clear as day that maintaining a systematic cleaning schedule is an essential part of keeping the rubber paving in great condition, creating a safe environment for people. Now, let’s focus on how to clean a rubber playground surface, indoor rubber flooring, and outdoor paving.
How to Clean Rubber Flooring Safely
No matter how easy-to-clean rubber flooring options may look, there are several precautions one should know about to avoid damaging the surface:
- Avoid harsh acidic products, bleach, or solvents, as they can cause the rubber to dry out and crack;
- Use only sponge mops and floor scrubbers made of soft materials to prevent scratching the surface;
- Perform a spot test each time before applying new cleaning solutions to ensure the product doesn’t cause discoloration or damage;
- Avoid high temperatures, like hot water, as it can cause distortion;
- Let the room air if you use cleaning products indoors to prevent inhaling fumes and reduce the smell;
- With liquid cleaning solutions, be mindful of nearby surfaces that might be sensitive to the cleaning agents, such as wood or fabric.
- Before applying cleaning products, sweep or vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove the loose dirt, debris, leaves, etc.
- After you clean the floor with soapy water, thoroughly dry the surface to prevent mold growth;
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using any products or cleaning solutions.
Best Practices for Cleaning Rubber Floors
The most effective and safe methods on how to clean rubber flooring are:
- Use neutral rubber floor cleaners or mop the floor with soap and water
- Avoid applying solvents, acids, or abrasives to degrease the surface
- Wipe up any spilled liquid immediately to prevent it from being absorbed.
- Ensure weekly or even daily cleaning routine
Essential Supplies and Precautions for Cleaning Rubber Surfaces
So how to clean rubber floors? The first step includes essentials and cleaning supplies that allow you to deep clean and sanitize the floor without causing damage:
- Mild soap or detergent free from harsh chemicals or rubber-friendly;
- Warm water;
- A soft-bristled brush, broom, microfiber cloth, basic mop;
- Specific rubber-cleaning solutions to address stains;
- Rubber protectant if you need to restore shine or shield the surface from UV damage.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Rubber Surfaces
The good news is that rubber flooring cleaning doesn’t require too much effort, yet it needs a systemic approach to ensure effectiveness and proper care. In public and commercial spaces, rubber flooring is prone to absorb much more dirt, drinks, food, and other matter. Moreover, the poured-in-place rubber manufacturers and state standards oblige you to maintain a systematic cleaning routine.
Let’s see how to clean dirt on the rubber surface in several easy steps.
Preparation: Clearing and Inspecting the Surface
- Clear the areas of furniture, objects, and obstacles, allowing easy access to the floors.
- Inspect the rubber floor for damages, cracks, tears, loose edges, or sticky areas. Address any issues found before starting cleaning.
Removing Loose Debris and Dust
- Start by sweeping or vacuuming the rubber paving to remove leaves, loose dirt, and debris. Use the leaf blower for outdoor areas to save time.
- Use a soft-bristled brush to get rid of stubborn particles stuck to the rubber.
Stain Removal Techniques for Rubber Flooring
Here are some professional techniques and so-called home hacks on how to remove stains from rubber surfaces.
- Mild soap and water solutions: This method works for general and gentle cleaning. However, avoid using excessive water to prevent standing water and drainage issues.
- Spot cleaning for stains: For oil or grease stains, apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the stained area. Let it sit for a few minutes, then gently scrub it and wipe it with a cloth.
- Vinegar solution: Tougher stains like mold or mildew are better to tackle with vinegar & water mixture. Add one part of vinegar and one part of water. Let the mixture absorb for a few minutes before scrubbing.
- Baking soda paste: If you need to get rid of the smell, apply baking soda paste.
- Rubber-safe cleaning solutions: Some commercial rubber cleaning solutions can help you fight stubborn saints. Just follow instructions from the manufacturers for an effective process.
Rinsing and Drying the Rubber Floor
- Rinse the rubber surface with fresh water to ensure the products are completely removed after cleaning and stain removal.
- Dry the surface from excessive moisture and water to prevent mold growth.
- The air-dry option is effective for well-ventilated or outdoor areas.
Specialized Cleaning Tips for High Traffic Rubber Floors
Knowing how to clean a rubber floor, if we’re talking about gym flooring or other high-traffic areas, is the best way to keep your new rubber flooring in good condition, ensuring it lasts longer.
- Prepare essentials: broom or vacuum for cleaning; nylon, microfiber, or sponge for mopping; soft bristle scrubbing brush
- Use non-acidic cleansing agent, mild dish soap, and rubber finish
- Apply a pH-neutral cleaner, mixed with warm water (this is the best way to clean rubber flooring). There are two options: store-bought or homemade cleaner. Store-bought rubber cleaners can sanitize the floor, degrease it and remove wax, making them the best cleaning option for high-traffic floorings.
Preventing Damage and Maintaining Rubber Flooring
Here are useful tips for maintaining your flooring:
- Avoid using abrasive cleaning pads such as scouring pads or steel wool
- Dry out the mopped floor, as water can seep through the rubber tiles’ seams
- Don’t use acidic chemical cleaners (white vinegar, bleach); instead, opt for pH-neutral cleaners
- Do cleaning at least once a week
- Use nylon, microfiber, or sponge mop
- Apply a non-diluted rubber finish and sealer for a glossy appearance
- Once your rubber floor is installed, wait a few days and don’t clean the rubber flooring within 72 hours
- Mop the floor with soapy water a few times to reduce the smell from rubber flooring off-gassing