Effective Cleaning Tips for Hardwood Gym Flooring
When we think of gym flooring, the image of a hardwood gym floor may come to mind for many of us as we have all gone to PE classes and pep rallies on a floor like this at our high school gym. While many gym floors are made out of other materials, the hardwood gym floor is a classic image associated with popular sports such as basketball and volleyball and it is still widely in use in schools and public gyms. Hardwood gym flooring is built to withstand heavy use from sports, but these floors do need to be regularly cleaned to maintain their look and longevity. The following are gym floor maintenance tips that are effective for cleaning and restoring hardwood gym flooring.
Limit the Use of Cleaning Products
Wood gym flooring has a layer of finish on the surface that can get ruined by harsh cleaning products. It is best to use a neutral, low detergent cleaner for cleaning wood gym floors and limit the use of other cleaning products, so you do not damage the finish. We suggest using AMGO Damp Mop Neutral Cleaner. Damp Mop is specially formulated to be used for cleaning high gloss finishes. Excellent for high traffic areas where frequent mopping is necessary. Use it over and over without harming the finish.
Wet Clean the Gym Floor
Wet cleaning is important for gym floor maintenance because sweat from the athletes builds up on the floor over time, leaving behind a slippery film of salt and protein. The resulting film can be dangerous because athletes are more likely to hurt themselves on a slippery gym floor. It takes the right wood floor cleaner along with mopping or scrubbing to effectively remove this film from the floor.
Automatic Scrubbers are better than Mopping
While mopping is still an effective way to clean a hardwood gym floor, automatic scrubbers are much more efficient. Automatic scrubbers use a variety of pads and brushes to scrub the surface of the gym floor and they also have a built-in vacuum system that removes the water. These machines can cover entire gym floors very quickly and you do not have to worry about excess moisture warping the wood gym flooring. We suggest using AMGO Damp Mop Neutral Cleaner. Damp Mops low foaming characteristics enables it to be used with floor machines and automatic scrubbers.
Keep the Gym Floor Protected
Stop dirt at the door. Protect your floor by keeping it free of grit. When dirt collects on the floor, it acts like sandpaper, abrading the surface with every step. Asking gym users to avoid wearing street shoes indoors is a start, but unfortunately, it’s difficult to enforce. Walk off mats can provide the solution. Placing mats at the entrance is the easiest way to avoid the spread of dirt inside the building. Mats are available in numerous varieties with beautiful designs, and frequently feature custom logos to promote events or brands. The most commonly implemented mats are scraper mats, which are used just outside the entrance. Typically constructed of vinyl or rubber, these have nubs that aggressively dislodge debris from shoes. Additionally, wiper mats can be placed inside the entryway. These are typically topped with carpet, which naturally absorbs the moisture and debris loosened by the scraper mats. To maximize their effectiveness, these mats should be vacuumed and maintained on a daily basis. We carry a large variety of matting and can assist you in choosing which mat will work best to protect gym floors.
Remove Dust but Avoid Traditional Dust Mops
Hardwood gym flooring gathers dust that can cause it to feel slippery, making it important to regularly remove the dust. However, using a traditional dust mop on a gym floor is counterproductive because it does not hold dust very well and requires a treatment that could leave a residue on the floor. Microfiber dust mops are the best option because they effectively hold the dust without the need for treatments or other cleaning products.
Cleaning a hardwood gym floor is not only important for maintaining its appearance, but also for keeping the gym floor safe by removing dust and perspiration that could make the floor slippery. Therefore, a clean gym floor will reflect better on your school or facility and provide a much safer venue for athletes.