Rubber floor mats are an excellent way to keep shop floors and business floor showrooms clean and free from hazardous debris and standing water.  They create a surface whereupon the foot traffic that enters and exits your establishment are scraped and wiped, ensuring that any loose dirt, debris, and water that would otherwise be tracked into your business are trapped on the mat. 

Rubber floor mats have a tough job, and as such, you would imagine that they become soiled quite easily.  Because most rubber floor mats will be located in areas of your business that are highly visible (i.e. your entrance, near sinks and water fountains, etc.) it is important that those mats are always in pristine condition.  Mats that are constantly soiled, stained, or heavy with stormwater and spills can make your showroom look dirty. 

Additionally, mats that are filthy can actually be counterintuitive to their design.  People will actually avoid stepping on a mat that looks soiled or unsightly because they do not want to get their shoes dirty.  As such, let’s take a look at the best ways to clean your rubber floor mats and care for them so that they don’t end up dirty, dingy, and in need of replacement. 

When to Clean a Rubber Floor Mat

Must rubber floor mats will be crafted in a way that prevents the need for them to be cleaned very frequently.  Take, for instance, high-quality entryway mats.  The design of a great entryway mat will have several features that make it less likely to need cleaning on a regular basis.

Wipe and scrape mat face.  The mat face (the portion of the mat upon which you step) will be made from a durable material that effectively removes dirt and sediment from shoes while trapping the debris deep inside the mat where it is not seen.

Border dam.  A rubber floor mat that is able to trap water and moisture will have an adequate border dam that traps moisture inside the rug and keeps it there until it evaporates.  It will not allow the water to seep out onto the surrounding floor area.

Mildew resistant.  One of the most important features of a great rubber floor mat is mildew resistance.  One of the best materials for rubber mat construction is Nitrile rubber treated with an antimicrobial compound that resists mold, mildew, and bacteria. 

Closed-cell construction.  For floor mats that do not serve the purpose of dirt and sediment removal (for instance, anti-fatigue mats) a closed-cell construction will prevent dirt, oil, sediment, and moisture from entering the mat and damaging it or causing it to become soiled. 

You will know your rubber floor mat needs to be cleaned when it begins to appear less effective at dirt and water removal than it previously was.  This is usually the number one sign the mat needs to be cleaned.  Even before the mat appears dirty visually, if you begin to notice more dirt, grime, and debris on your business floor, it is usually a good indicator your rubber floor mat needs to be cleaned.

Another indicator that your mat may need cleaning is visible dirt and soil on the mat.  If you’ve had a visitor that tracked in heavy soil or mud, or if there has been an accident that caused a stain to form on the rubber floor mat, it is definitely time to give the rug a good cleaning. 

How to Clean a Rubber Floor Mat With Fibers

There are essentially two types of rubber floor mats; ones with porous and non-porous surfaces.  Porous surfaces will have some kind of tread on the top designed to trap dirt and moisture, similar to carpet mats.  You can clean your porous rubber floor mats in five simple steps.  Although most rubber floor mats will be crafted in a way that you will likely not see dirt and sediment unless you have someone enter the premises that have incredibly dirty shoes, or if there is a major storm, you will, from time to time, need to clean them to keep them looking their best. 

Here are five fail-safe ways to clean your rubber floor mats that will leave them looking as new as the day you purchased them:

Shake. The first way to eliminate dirt and debris from a soiled rubber floor mat is to shake it off.  If you have a small mat that is easily lifted, you can simply take it outdoors and shake it.  In fact, regular shaking of your rubber floor mat is an excellent way to keep it clean on a daily or weekly basis.  If, however, your rug is too large to be easily moved or lifted, simply skip to the next step. 

Vacuum. Always be sure to check with the rug manufacturer or with the company from which you purchased it to make sure your rug can be vacuumed.  Our staff at Ultimate Mats can help you decide if it is safe to vacuum your mat. Before vacuuming your mat, make sure your vacuum cleaner is in good working order and that the bag is completely empty.  Vacuuming your mat should be done slowly and methodically.  Vacuuming too quickly will cause dirt in the fibers to loosen but possibly not be picked up by the vacuum.  

Treat. The next step in cleaning your rubber floor mat is to treat stains.  It’s important to check with your retailer to make sure that the cleaning agent you select is compatible with the mat you are trying to clean.  Treat stains or any areas that are heavily soiled with a stain-fighting cleanser in a spray bottle or with mild dish soap mixed with clean water.  If the manufacturer allows for the rug to be scrubbed with a stiff bristle brush, scrub the stubborn stain and then wipe up the loosened dirt and soil with an upholstery rag.    

Wash. Almost all rubber floor mats can be washed in an industrial-grade washing machine.  If you don’t have access to an industrial-grade washing machine, there are several service centers that offer pick up and drop off services for commercial mat cleaning.  These services will pick up your mats, clean them commercially, and return them to you.  If, however, that’s not in the budget, you can still get a great cleaning of your mat on your own.  Using a wet-vac system is a great way to pull up dirt and moisture trapped in the deepest parts of the mat using soapy water without much scrubbing necessary.  If you don’t have a high-pressure wet-vac system, simply use a gentle cleaning solution and scrub brush.  If you use a cleaning agent and brush, you’ll want to also rinse your mat after cleaning it with the cleaning agent.  Most rubber mats can be rinsed with a water hose or a bucket of water. 

Dry.  This is a critical part of keeping your mat clean.  Your mat now needs to air dry.  The best way to do this is to hang it if possible or lay it over a hard, non-porous surface. 

How to Clean a Non-Porous Rubber Floor Mat

Thankfully, cleaning rubber floor mats is much easier than for porous mats since they are non-porous.  Most non-porous rubber floor mats will be resistant to spills, grease, animal fats, dirt particles, mildew, and mold.  As such, they will likely only ever need a quick sweeping and mopping to keep the surface clean.  If the rubber floor mat is small enough, you can simply use a mild spray carpet cleaner and a microfiber towel to clean the mat.  To dry the mat, either hang it up or use a large towel or fan. Using a protectant afterward is totally optional.

Benefits of Rubber Mat Usage

Using rubber floor mats in your establishment is a great way to keep your hard surfaces safe.  Not only does a rubber floor mat provide you with a means of collecting dirt and water before it enters upon your showroom floor, but rubber floor mats also provide a place for patrons to grip the floor better thus preventing slip and fall accidents.  A rubber floor mat placed in areas that are naturally prone to being more slippery can reduce the risk of accidents. 

Rubber floor mats can also be an effective means of marketing your product.  Using a rubber floor mat with your business name and company logo can greet your patrons as soon as they arrive in your establishment.  It’s also a great way for passersby outside of your business to see your name if you choose to use a mat outside. 

Using rubber floor mats with screen printed logos on them adds to the interior décor of your establishment, allowing something that is normally purely functional to be stylish as well. 

Rubber floor mats are a great solution for any brick and mortar business.  Keeping them clean is very easy.  They require precious little maintenance and should only need a professional or deep cleaning once every few months.  They effectively remove dirt, debris, and unwanted water from foot traffic before it can enter upon your showroom floor, causing hazards and creating more cleaning for yourself and your employees.  You can use rubber floor mats near entry and exit ways, in bathrooms, around sinks and coffee bars, and any other areas where people are prone to stand for long periods of time. 

Ultimate Mats can help you determine which rubber floor mats are right for your home or business.  We have been selling the highest quality rubber floor mats since 2005.  We can also help you determine the best ways to clean your rubber floor mats, and which products are most effective for cleaning them.