Cleaning Guide: How to Clean Martial Arts Foam Mats
Related Product: Mat Attack Vinyl Mat Cleaner 1 Gallon
Why You Should Clean Martial Arts Mats
Whether you practice BJJ, jiu jitsu, judo, karate, MMA, or taekwondo, martial arts mats are exposed to significant amounts of sweat and dirt, especially when you run a public training and competition dojo. Even in a home setting, your mats will eventually get dirty and need to be cleaned. Plus, since athletes regularly make contact with the mats, you’ll want to remove any debris that could cause skin abrasions, and you’ll want to remove any bacteria that could be on the mats.Regularly cleaning your mats helps stop the spread of bacteria and keeps odors at bay. It also helps keep your mats looking their best, protecting your investment in the flooring.
How to Clean Martial Arts Mats
When you’re working with foam mats, focus on regular, frequent cleaning to maintain the mats.Sweep or Vacuum
In most cases, you can easily sweep or vacuum the mats to remove any dirt or debris. If you choose to use a vacuum, use one without any spinning brushes, which could potentially damage the surface of your mats. Regularly removing dry debris can prevent it from getting ground into the mats and gives athletes a clean surface to train on.
Damp Mop the Mats
Are you wondering what to clean with? To remove any wet spills or sweat, clean the mats with a basic, low-pH household cleaner. You can use a damp mop to apply the cleaner and lightly to moderately scrub the mats. You can also spot clean mats by applying a little household cleaner with a rag.
Avoid pouring the solution directly on the mats or soaking them while they’re installed in the floor; the liquids can work their way down into the mats’ interlocking seams and then get trapped underneath the floor.
Do not use bleach on your foam martial arts mats.
Scrub Your Mats
If you’re trying to remove persistent soiling or staining, such as liquids that have dried on the mats, use the low-pH household cleaner and pair it with a non-abrasive rag or scrubber. If you need to deeply clean a mat, consider pulling it up and scrubbing it in a sink.
You can also take the mats outside to hose them down. Since closed-cell EVA foam is non-absorbent, you don’t have to worry about the mats absorbing water and becoming waterlogged or damaged. Be sure to give the mats time to dry out completely before you reinstall them.
Deodorize the Mats
Periodically, your mats may need a deeper cleaning and disinfecting. The best cleaner to use for this purpose is Mat Attack, a phosphate-free cleaner that can be used to clean, deodorize, and disinfect your mats. It’s effective against many types of bacteria, including MRSA, and is effective against HIV-1, HCV, H5N1, H1N1, H9N2, and HBV viruses.
Additionally, Mat Attack is a fungicide that can kill off the agent that causes Athlete’s Foot. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to mix the cleanser with water. You can apply the mixture with a spray bottle or a mechanical sprayer. Once you’ve applied the cleaner, you can use a microfiber pad wet mop to scrub the mats.
Let the Mats Air Dry
After you’ve cleaned the mats, let them air dry completely. If you’re doing any cleaning that involves applying a large amount of liquid cleaner, it’s a good idea to remove the mats entirely so the liquid doesn’t work its way down underneath the mats. The puzzle mats are easy to reinstall, and since they’re large, you can quickly reassemble the floor once they’re dry.
Flip the Mats
While martial arts foam mats are durable and can stand up quite well with regular cleaning and care, the mats can be stained, especially if something spills and you don’t clean it up right away. If the mats are stained or discolored and you’ve purchased dual-sided mats, you can always flip the mats over and reinstall them. This dual-sided design can help keep your dojo floor looking great while maximizing the lifespan of the mats.