You’ve purchased rubber flooring in black appearance and it’s the most stylish and appealing. However, there’s a downside to it and that’s the cleanliness issue. Black rubber is more prone to getting dirt and dust visible on the surface. And, one can’t always call professionals to clean the rubber flooring because it’s not cost-effective.
If you’re looking for an effective methodology to clean your black rubber flooring, this post by Flooring Expert Dubai is your guide. In this post, we’ve explained methods and techniques to keep your rubber floors clean and maintain their appearance for long-term benefits.
The Tips & Tricks For Effective Cleaning of Rubber Flooring
Gym Rubber floors are mostly installed in places where hygiene is of utmost importance such as schools, hospitals, nurseries, etc. It’s the propriety brilliance of rubber that dust, dirt, and debris remain on the surface and can be easily cleaned to maintain a standard level of hygiene. And for effective cleaning, there are some protocols that are to be followed. Let’s take a look at the regular cleaning and periodic maintenance protocols of rubber flooring.
The Initial Cleaning of Rubber Floors
You’ll need a broom or vacuum cleaner to clean all the loose debris, dust, and dirt present on the rubber floor surface. Then, you can clean the floor using a pH-neutral detergent using a mop. Or else, you can use a combined wash/vacuum machine process to clean large areas with ease.
In case, the dust or dirt has become resistant and is not coming off the rubber, you can use a low-speed monobrush equipped with a non-abrasive disc and a pH-neutral detergent. Then, you need to apply a wet vacuum and rinse the flooring several times for effective cleaning.
Routine Cleaning Practices
There is no chance of heavy dirt or stubborn dust on the Gym rubber flooring if and only if you clean the floor on a daily basis. For this purpose, you can use a microfiber mop or vacuum cleaner. A pH-neutral detergent is recommended if you’ve to rinse certain areas of the flooring.
That’s because certain chemicals in standard detergents can deteriorate the rubber quality and cause permanent damage. In high-traffic interiors such as hospitals and schools, rubber flooring should be cleaned three times preferably or at least two times in 24 hours.
The reason is that dust and dirt are abrasive, especially when picked up and dragged across the rubber flooring. These particles can cause abrasive damage to the rubber flooring and the most visible effect is on patterned surfaces.
Place A Dust Control Mat At Entrances
A great approach to significantly reduce the dust, dirt, and debris on your rubber flooring is to place dust control mats at the entrances. This technique is more helpful and effective in high-foot traffic interiors and you can place these mats in front of reception desks, staircases, and places where people will spend their time standing around.
Now, you’ve to clean dust control mats and that’s more efficient compared to cleaning the rubber flooring all-in-all. It’s an effective method applied in expansive interiors to cut down the cost of floor cleaning and maintenance.
The Periodic Maintenance/Deep Cleaning
Periodic maintenance depends on the extent of usage rubber flooring has to endure. It can be done within one week (such as the case in hospitals and schools) or monthly (in gyms and fitness centers) due to varying extents of foot traffic and usage intensities.
In any case scenario, a floor cleaning machine is recommended to achieve efficient deep cleaning. The best one is a walk-behind scrubber is the best approach for medium-sized interiors or not large-enough spaces. Coming towards the procedure, you need to add some water and pH-neutral detergent to the scrubber and go over the rubber flooring completely.
Now, wait for some time and let the solution do its work before going back over again and rinsing the floor with clean water. Always keep in mind that you can’t use a hard-bristled brush because it will scratch and damage the rubber surface.
And, don’t let water pool in one place on the flooring. For Ribbed Rubber Flooring, the dust and dirt become trapped in between the ridges and doesn’t come out with regular brushing. For such textured rubber surfaces, one needs a studded rubber brush with two bristle lengths to reach the surface and deep down the ribbed rubber texture for effective cleaning.
For Stubborn Stains, you can create a homemade remedy with 50% water and 50% white vinegar in solution form. You can apply this solution to the stain using a towel and in a circular motion to lift the stain. Once the stain disappears, you can wash the area using a mild detergent to restore the appearance of the rubber flooring.
Be Careful of The Chemical Cleaning Products
Your black rubber floors can be efficiently and effectively cleaned using a combination of water and mild detergents. There’s no need to apply acidic or alkaline detergents as they’ll cause permanent damage to the rubber flooring.
Moreover, you’ll come across sayings about turpentine, chemical degreasers, and strippers. All such products degrade the rubber surface and cause undesirable effects or sometimes it may be permanent damage to the rubber surface.
Fix The Seams (If Any) Before Chemical Cleaning
There may come seams over time between rubber flooring if not properly secured in place. Now, when you pour even pH-neutral detergents over the rubber flooring, the liquid will penetrate the seams and reach the sub-flooring.
Depending on the type of subfloor you have, there is a high risk of mold formation or flooring rot due to chemical reactions. That’s why it’s recommended to install a layer of moisture barrier between rubber flooring and underlayment to prevent issues due to chemical spillage.
In Summary
Cleaning rubber floors is not a difficult task or project that needs professional assistance (for homeowners). One can easily maintain the appealing appearance of a rubber floor with daily cleaning and routine maintenance practices. In this post, we’ve explained the procedure to effectively and efficiently clean black rubber flooring. Follow the procedure explained to achieve desirable outcomes and maintain visually pleasing rubber floors.