The Best Seats
In The House

The proper maintenance and care of gymnasium flooring will help preserve what was most likely a costly investment. The frequency in which a gymnasium floor should be cleaned is dependent on the amount of traffic involved.

While gymnasium flooring comes in a variety of coverings ranging from hardwood, linoleum, rubber and padded, knowing how to clean it safely will increase the life and look of the flooring for years to come. Here we will review the care of some of the most common floor coverings used in gymnasiums.

Hardwood Flooring

When you have a hardwood court in a gymnasium, most likely the care and maintenance of it has been insufficient. Overall, people steer away from cleaning this type of flooring for fear they will damage it; when in fact the most damage occurs from dirt remaining on the floor. Dirt and sand particles act like sandpaper on hardwood flooring and the accumulation of dust is the most frequent cause of hardwood floors being slippery.

By implementing a daily regimen of dry mopping the floors and using walk-off mats, the accumulation of dirt will be reduced. In addition to this, to tackle debris build-up or dried-on residue, you can use a lightly dampened mop or microfiber cloth on the floors. Be sure to have a dedicated mop for your hardwood flooring to prevent cross contamination of chemicals, which will result in a cloudy, hazy or sticky residue.

Rubber Flooring

The proper maintenance of rubber flooring consists of regular vacuuming to remove dirt and dust. The more often this is done, the longer period of time the floor will maintain its original shine.

Cleaning up spills can be safely done using a lightly dampened mop or cloth and a mixture of white vinegar or mild dish soap with one gallon of warm water. The application of this will safely clean and disinfect the flooring. Due to the commonly used wooden sub-floor underneath rubber flooring, it is best to avoid saturating the floors.

Avoid using waxes or acidic chemicals and solvents as it can change the colour of this type of flooring.

Pad and Pour Flooring

This style of flooring should be cleaned daily using a microfiber dust mop. When removing sticky debris, use a dull putty knife, followed by cleaning with a dampened sponge or mop along with a mixture of one part mild dish detergent with ten parts water.

Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum gymnasium flooring should be swept and mopped to remove grit and grime to prevent damage or scratches from occurring. Typically it is only necessary to use warm water for routine cleaning. However, if a detergent is necessary to remove spills or for disinfection, opt for a mild soap diluted in water. Always use a soft cloth or mop and avoid using a bristly brush as this will take away the protective coating on linoleum flooring.

Eventually linoleum flooring does require a fresh coat of wax. Floors should be stripped of old wax first and then a wax specifically designed for linoleum flooring should be used. Avoid using waxes intended for other surfaces, as they may cause yellowing to occur which will compromise the look of the floor.

Gymnasium floors were designed to endure heavy traffic, scuffs and activities from sports and social events. However, it is still necessary to clean properly. In doing so, the floor will stay looking new longer and last for several years to come without discoloration or damage.