Rubber matting is renowned for its durability and low maintenance requirements, but "low maintenance" does not mean "no maintenance". A proper cleaning and care routine keeps your rubber matting looking professional, performing safely, and lasting its full lifespan. Neglect leads to discolouration, reduced slip resistance, odour build-up, and premature wear.
This guide covers everything you need to know about keeping rubber matting in excellent condition, from daily upkeep to deep cleaning and dealing with stubborn stains.
Why Regular Cleaning Matters
Even the toughest rubber matting benefits from regular cleaning for several important reasons:
- Safety: Dirt, grease, and moisture build-up reduce the slip resistance that makes rubber matting safe in the first place. Regular cleaning maintains the surface texture that provides grip.
- Hygiene: In food preparation areas, healthcare settings, and animal housing, rubber matting must be kept hygienically clean to comply with regulations and prevent bacterial growth.
- Appearance: Clean matting presents a professional image. In customer-facing areas such as entrance matting, appearance matters.
- Longevity: Grit and debris act as abrasives, wearing the surface faster than foot traffic alone. Removing these particles regularly extends the matting's life significantly.
- Odour prevention: Rubber can develop odours if organic matter, moisture, or chemicals are left to accumulate. Regular cleaning prevents this.
Daily Cleaning Routine
For most rubber matting installations, a simple daily routine is all that is needed:
Step 1: Dry Sweep or Vacuum
Remove loose dirt, dust, and debris with a broom, dust mop, or vacuum cleaner. This is the single most important maintenance step — grit left on the surface acts like sandpaper, wearing down the rubber with every footstep.
- Use a soft-bristled broom for smooth rubber surfaces
- A stiff broom works better on textured or studded surfaces to dislodge trapped particles
- Vacuum cleaners with a hard floor setting (brush bar off) work well on smooth rubber
- For large areas, a walk-behind sweeper is the most efficient option
Step 2: Damp Mop
After sweeping, mop the surface with warm water and a small amount of pH-neutral cleaning solution. Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach, or solvent-based cleaners unless specifically recommended for your type of rubber.
Recommended cleaning solution: A few drops of mild washing-up liquid in a bucket of warm water is sufficient for most daily cleaning. Alternatively, use a proprietary rubber floor cleaner that is pH-neutral (pH 6–8).
Step 3: Rinse (If Necessary)
If you have used a cleaning product, rinse the floor with clean water to remove any residue. Cleaning product residue can leave a film that attracts dirt and reduces slip resistance.
Step 4: Allow to Dry
Rubber matting dries relatively quickly, but in high-traffic areas, use a squeegee or wet vacuum to remove standing water and allow people to walk safely on the surface sooner.
Weekly Deep Clean
Once a week, give your rubber matting a more thorough clean:
- Remove furniture and equipment: Clear the area as much as possible to access the entire surface, including areas usually hidden under desks, machines, or storage.
- Sweep thoroughly: Pay extra attention to edges, corners, and areas under equipment where debris accumulates.
- Scrub with a cleaning solution: Use a deck brush, rotary floor scrubber, or auto-scrubber with a mild cleaning solution. Scrubbing lifts embedded dirt that mopping alone misses.
- Rinse completely: Remove all cleaning solution residue with clean water.
- Dry the floor: Use a squeegee, wet vacuum, or air mover to dry the surface quickly.
Deep Cleaning and Restoration
Every three to six months (or more frequently in demanding environments), perform a deep clean to restore the matting's appearance and performance:
For General Rubber Matting
- Sweep and remove all loose debris
- Apply a rubber floor cleaner at the manufacturer's recommended dilution
- Allow the solution to dwell on the surface for 5–10 minutes (do not let it dry)
- Scrub with a rotary floor machine fitted with a medium-duty pad (red or blue)
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water — twice if necessary
- Squeegee and allow to dry completely
For Heavily Soiled or Oil-Contaminated Matting
Workshop and industrial rubber flooring often accumulates oil, grease, and ground-in grime. For these surfaces:
- Apply a degreasing solution (alkaline-based, pH 10–12) at the recommended dilution
- Allow to dwell for 10–15 minutes
- Scrub vigorously with a stiff deck brush or rotary machine with an aggressive pad
- Rinse thoroughly — degreaser residue must be completely removed
- Repeat if necessary for heavily contaminated areas
- Follow with a pH-neutral cleaner rinse to restore the surface
Common Stains and How to Remove Them
| Stain Type | Removal Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oil and grease | Alkaline degreaser, scrub, rinse | Act quickly; oil absorbs into porous rubber over time |
| Scuff marks | Tennis ball on a stick, or rubber eraser | Surprisingly effective and avoids harsh chemicals |
| Paint | Scrape dried paint gently; use mineral spirits sparingly | Test solvents on an inconspicuous area first |
| Ink | Isopropyl alcohol on a cloth, blot (do not rub) | May not fully remove from textured surfaces |
| Food and drink | Warm water and mild detergent | Clean promptly to prevent staining |
| Mould or mildew | Dilute bleach solution (1:10), short dwell, rinse well | Only for occasional use; bleach can degrade rubber over time |
| Rust | Oxalic acid-based rust remover | Rinse thoroughly after use |
Products to Avoid
Certain cleaning products and practices can damage rubber matting:
- Bleach (sodium hypochlorite): Occasional dilute use is acceptable for disinfection, but regular bleach use degrades rubber, causing it to dry out, crack, and lose elasticity.
- Solvent-based cleaners: Acetone, toluene, and similar solvents dissolve rubber. Never use these on rubber matting.
- Abrasive cleaners: Scouring powders and steel wool scratch and damage the surface, reducing slip resistance and creating areas where dirt can accumulate.
- Citrus-based cleaners: While effective degreasers, d-limonene and similar citrus solvents can soften and damage some types of rubber.
- Steam cleaning: Excessive heat from steam cleaners can warp, blister, or discolour rubber matting. Use warm water (not hot) for cleaning.
- Pressure washing at close range: While suitable for outdoor matting, high-pressure washing at close range can damage indoor rubber surfaces. Maintain a distance of at least 300mm and use a fan nozzle rather than a jet.
Maintaining Slip Resistance
Slip resistance is the primary safety function of most rubber matting. Maintain it by:
- Removing oil, grease, and other contaminants promptly
- Sweeping away grit and debris daily (these fill the surface texture)
- Rinsing away all cleaning product residue (residue creates a slippery film)
- Replacing matting sections where the surface texture has worn smooth
- Avoiding wax, polish, or sealant products — these create a slippery film on rubber
Seasonal and Environmental Considerations
Winter
Salt, grit, and moisture tracked in from outside can damage rubber and create slip hazards. Increase cleaning frequency at entrances during winter months, and ensure entrance matting is cleaned regularly to maintain its dirt-trapping effectiveness.
Summer
Direct sunlight through windows can cause some rubber products to fade or become brittle over time. UV-stable rubber (typically EPDM) is recommended for areas exposed to sustained sunlight.
High Humidity
In wet areas and environments with high humidity, mould and mildew can develop under and on rubber matting. Ensure adequate ventilation, lift mats periodically to allow the subfloor to dry, and clean with a mild anti-fungal solution when needed.
When to Replace Rather Than Clean
No amount of cleaning can restore rubber matting that has reached the end of its service life. Replace matting when:
- The surface texture has worn smooth, reducing slip resistance
- Cuts, tears, or holes create trip hazards
- The rubber has hardened, cracked, or lost its elasticity
- Persistent odours remain despite thorough cleaning
- The matting has delaminated or lifted from the subfloor
- Oil or chemical contamination has degraded the rubber compound
Keep Your Rubber Matting Performing at Its Best
A consistent cleaning routine takes minutes per day but adds years to the life of your rubber matting. The investment in proper care is repaid many times over through extended product life, maintained safety, and professional appearance.
For new rubber matting, replacement sections, or advice on cleaning products for your specific installation, visit rubbermatting-direct.co.uk or contact our team. We are happy to recommend the right cleaning approach for your rubber matting type and environment.