How to Shine Rubber Flooring

Gym floors are often rubber

Neither mold nor fungi will grow on the surface, which you can buff to gleaming if you wish.

1. Sweep or vacuum your rubber floor to pick up loose dirt, dust and debris.

2. Mop the floor with a rubber floor cleaner, which is typically diluted in water. Refer to the manufacturer’s directions for specific dilution amounts. Avoid creating too many suds by pouring the cleaning solution into a bucket of water (versus pouring the water into a bucket containing the solution). Then mop the floor using a nylon deck brush or a clean rayon mop and allow the mopped floor to dry completely.

3. Shine your rubber floor by applying a rubber floor conditioner, following the manufacturer’s directions; then buff it using a buffing machine that rotates fewer than 350 times per minute (350 RPM) so as not to damage the floor.

Tip

Sweep, vacuum and damp-mop your rubber floor regularly to prevent dirt, dust and debris from building up too heavily on the surface. Set door mats and area rugs on heavily trafficked areas of the floor to minimize the amount of dirt distributed across it.

Warning

Don’t use steel wool; scouring or scrubbing pads or disks; black, green, red, brown or beige pads; or buffing machines that rotate more than 350 times per minute (350 RPMs). Don’t clean your rubber floor with products containing turpentine or acetone, which can damage the floor. Avoid other strong cleaners, as well, such as Lestoil, Pinesol and Top Job.