How To Clean Foam Gym Mats

Do you want to clean your foam gym mats to have a germ-free workout and wondering how to clean foam gym mats? If yes, then you have come to the right place. People use gym mats excessively. Workouts can be intense. 

 

All those running drills and core exercises mean that there is a lot of sweat. That sweat is going to accumulate on your mat. This sweat will essentially give rise to a colony of microbes.

With multiple people using the same mats, your gym is becoming a catalyst in spreading disease. Moreover, there will be occasional water spills. No one wants a dirty space during working out.

It is necessary to ensure that your gym mats stay clean to avoid these problems. To do that, you must know how to clean foam gym mats. Lucky for you, this article lists several ways for you to do that, so keep reading.

Is Cleaning a Foam Gym Mat Easy? 

Foam is sturdy and soft. It provides a good surface for you to do your daily exercises. You would be surprised how much dirt tends to get stuck inside the mat. Dirt and debris may lodge inside. The pores harbor a lot of microbes. These problems can make working out conditions unsanitary.

No one wants to inhale dust or microbes during working out. Hence, maintenance of gym mats becomes a necessity. Cleaning the gym foam gym mat is relatively easy. You do not require special equipment. Nor do you have to get any help from outside. You can easily do it yourself with everyday household items. 

Methods How To Clean Foam Gym Mats

 Here we are going to list the steps for how to clean foam gym mats.

1. Use Vacuum

First, you need to clean the visible dirt on your gym mat. With people walking in all the time, they track in the dirt with their shoes. Moreover, when the gym mats are in place long, dust tends to get caught in them. The dirt is displeasing to the eye. No one wants to work out in such a dirty environment.

Fortunately, you can solve this problem easily. You can sweep away the dirt with a broom. Try doing this before and after every use. Now, what about the debris stuck inside the mat. For that, you need a vacuum. Use a suction vacuum. Move it over the mat, and that should fix your problem.

2. Use Soap And Water

Occasionally, someone might spill their water bottles on the mat. If you have a personal mat at home, then you might even have food spills. You cannot remove these stains with a broom or vacuum. You need a mop, water, and detergent for this.

• Simply take water in a bucket
• Mix detergent into it
• Dip your mop in the mixture and wipe the mat with it
• Run your mop in circles or draw the number 8 for efficient cleaning
• If you have oil stains, use a dishwasher in the cleaning mixture

3. Using Disinfectant

Up till now, you have only removed the visible dust and dirt. What about the stuff you cannot see? There’s a lot invisible to the eye, such as the buildup of bacteria. With continuous use, microbes are bound to be present in your mat.

If not dealt with, these microbes can cause mold in your mat. If multiple people are using the same mat, microbes may spread from one person to another, causing infection.

• You can solve this problem easily
• Simply take some disinfectant. There are specific disinfectants available for gym mats
• Spray it onto the mat
• Let it stay for a few minutes. This step allows the disinfectant to carry out its actions
• After some time, use a dry mop to wipe the mat clean. It is important to disinfect your map regularly

By following the above three steps, you have properly cleaned your foam gym mat.

Cleaning According To Size

Small Scale 

Cleaning small-scale gym mats are fairly easy. Clean the mats individually, following the steps mentioned above. Remember to allow your mat to air dry properly before folding it.

Large Scale 

Cleaning large-sized mats may be a problem. It would help if you went about it systematically. If you have interlocking mats, separate them from each other and then start cleaning them. If not, then clean them by dividing them into small chunks. Focus on one area first and then the next. 

Some Additional Tips of How To Clean Foam Gym Mats

There are some additional tips to clean foam gym mats that one should consider during the cleaning process.

1. Do Not Let It Soak In Water

During the cleaning process, you have to use water. You need to be careful not to let the mat soak in water. Moisture allows microbes to grow which will defeat the purpose of cleaning. So, wipe down the mat with a dry cloth. Allow it to air dry properly before folding or using it.

2. Do Not Use Harsh Chemicals

You may hope for more effective cleaning, but it will only damage the mat. So, we advise you to stick to the disinfectant’s specific formats and neutral ph. cleaners.

Another thing to keep in mind is to treat your mat gently. Do not scrub too harshly. Excessive force will cause more damage than good.

3. Clean Regularly 

It is advisable to clean before and after every use. By doing so, you are preventing a buildup of dirt and bacteria. It will save you the trouble of putting too much effort into cleaning. If you have spills, then clean them immediately using a mop.

Do not allow it to dry up. By being quick, you will save yourself from stains and painful scrubbing. If you are wondering how to take care of foam gym mats, regular cleaning is what you should consider.

4. Clean Under The Gym Mat Surface

When mats lie in the same place for a long time, the debris sneaks under them. It can damage the mat. So, for proper cleaning, sweep the surface under the mat. Remove the dust.

Disinfect it with a floor cleaner. Do this every time you clean your mats. It will make the maintenance of your foam gym mats more effective.

Conclusion

Maintaining gym mats is necessary. It is important for keeping a clean working environment. One needs to be careful while cleaning the gym mats. You do not want to damage it. Lucky for you, this article has listed several ways to clean foam gym mats.

Whenever you decide to clean your gym mats, follow the steps above mentioned above, and you will be good to go. We hope this article was helpful for you to know about the cleaning of foam gym mats.