how to clean horse stall mats
If you work out at home, you should invest in some sturdy flooring that will save your house from becoming damaged. Horse stall mats serve their purpose well, but with time they can become soiled and wet with sweat.
It is imperative that you carefully maintain your flooring in order to prevent this problem, since it can destroy the appearance of your gym and make it smell rather awful.
In this article, we will walk you through the steps of properly cleaning horse stall mats so that you can keep your home gym in pristine shape.
How To Clean Horse Stall Mats (Best Way To Clean Home Gym Flooring)
Rubber mats are frequently used in gyms because they help preserve the floor and provide a surface that is both pleasant and flat for exercising on.
Horse stall mats were initially created for use in horse stables because of their durability and ability to handle the weight of horses while yet maintaining a level of comfort that allows other animals to lie down on them.
Because of these features, it is also ideal for use in home gyms, and covering your floor with them is an economical method to do it.
Mats for horse stalls are typically crafted from high-quality recycled crumb rubber, which is exceptionally long-lasting but often has an offensive odor.
In addition to this, the flooring will be subjected to heavy foot traffic, which will result in the accumulation of chalk, rust, grime, dust, and possibly even sweat on its surface.Even though the flooring is obviously durable enough to withstand this, if you don’t maintain it properly, it might start to look bad and smell terrible after a while.
To do this, you’ll need:
Disinfecting Stable or Stall Walls
While the stall mat is drying, return to the stall and start to work on the walls.
Apply Disinfectant to the Walls – It will be necessary to apply the disinfectant and then wait for it to sit for a while, just like you did with the rubber mats.
Start at the Top Work your Way Down – By using this strategy, you can avoid having a contaminated area trickle down into a piece that has already been cleansed.
When Manure is Present – If there is manure on the wall of a stall, you will need to scrub it with soap and water; warm water is the most effective medium for this task. Before disinfecting this part of the stall, remove any manure that may be present.
Working with Porous Wood –
When the stall is constructed of porous wood (wood that has not been lacquered), it will be exceedingly challenging to ever thoroughly disinfect the space. However, when the stall has been left to dry for an adequate amount of time, you can varnish the wood so that you will be able to disinfect the stall in the future with greater efficiency.
Then proceed with the following steps:
1. Lift The Mats
Because you need to clean both sides of your mat, you will need to relocate your gym equipment and raise it out of the way in order to do so. It is recommended that you relocate them to an area that has adequate ventilation, one in which they can dry out rapidly, and one in which unpleasant scents can be neutralized.
2. Brush The Floors
Chalk and rust will accumulate on the top of your horse stall mats, therefore the first step will be to brush away all of the debris.
Some people use a leaf blower to remove the loose particles of dirt and debris, but the problem is that they can merely blow into your other gym equipment, so it is a better idea to brush it up and dispose of it properly than to use a leaf blower.
By removing this top layer of filth, you will be able to open up the pores in the rubber, which will assist in eliminating some of the unpleasant scents.
3. Disinfect Your Gym Mat
Regularly disinfecting the mats in your fitness center is a smart idea. This will assist in removing any chalk or rust stains, in addition to assisting in the elimination of any unpleasant odors coming from the mats.
Take your mats outside, spray them thoroughly with disinfectant on both sides, and then let them sit for about a quarter of an hour.The disinfectant will assist in the dissolution of some of the filth that is on the mats, and it will be of particular benefit in cleaning any gaps that are difficult to access.
After the thirty minutes have passed, get some cold water and thoroughly wash away the disinfectant.It is important that you do not use a harsh cleaner, as this may leave a stain on the mats. It is generally a good idea to test it on a tiny area that will not be seen by others in order to confirm that it can be used safely.
4. Mop The Floors
In a bucket, combine the dishwashing liquid or low pH cleanser with the warm water. Because the rubber matting will be harmed if you use bleach or any other kind of harsh soap, it is extremely vital that you do not.
If you want to eliminate odors from your horse’s stall mats, you may add incorporate three to five drops of your essential oil into the mixture.Mop all of the flooring, making sure to cover both sides of the horse stall matting, and then move on to the next area.
If you are mopping a large area, you will need to change the water several times since, if you do not, you run the risk of spreading the dirt all over the floor.
Scrubbing too vigorously might cause damage to the flooring, which is why some experts suggest using a scrubbing brush to clean the mats in your horse’s stall.
A mop should be sufficient for the task, but if you have any stains that are particularly difficult to remove, you can look for a mild scrubbing brush to assist you.
5. Ventilate The Area
You can improve the airflow in the room by opening all of the doors and windows and turning on any fans you have.
Your gymnasium mats will dry more quickly as a result of this, and after two to three hours, they should be totally dry.
After that, you may put your exercise apparatus back on top of them by lifting them back into place.
Why Is Cleaning Horse Stall Mats In Home Gyms Important?
It is imperative that you clean your horse stall mats in order to maintain the functionality and appearance of your gym. The following are some of the most important advantages provided by regular maintenance:
Safer Workouts
When working out, horse stall mats can be used to provide a solid and sturdy surface for you to stand on. Over time, rust, chalk, and other types of debris will all accumulate on the rubber matting, which will cause the surface to get damaged.
This can make the floor less stable, and despite the fact that horse stall mats are water-resistant, sweat may pool on the top of the mats, increasing the likelihood that you will fall.
It is important that you feel comfortable when working out, so it is necessary that you clean your horse stall mats on a regular basis in order to preserve the flooring in good shape. Because of this, the possibility of sustaining an injury during your workouts will be significantly reduced.
Protects The Flooring
Rust and sweat can have a significant negative influence on your flooring and can eventually lead to damage. Because of this, your horse stall mats may ultimately wear down to the point where they need to be replaced, which may be a costly endeavor if you have a sizable gym in your home.
You will safeguard the flooring for a longer period of time and obtain better long-term value for your money if you clean the mats on a regular basis.
Prevents Bad Smells
When combined with perspiration and grime, the odor that can be produced by horse stall mats can become intolerable. Horse stall mats can have a scent that is easily detectable.
Your workouts may suffer as a result, and you may feel less motivated to use the fitness equipment in your home.You may prevent this from happening by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the matting in your horse’s stall. This will also allow you to exercise in comfort.
Better Looking Gym
The cleanliness of your gym is the most evident advantage that comes from regularly cleaning your horse stall mats. Because a dirty and soiled floor is the last thing you want in your fitness center, developing a regular cleaning plan is one of the best ways to keep your gym in good shape.
How Often Should You Clean Your Home Gym Rubber Mats?
How frequently do you clean your fitness center at home? The horse stall mats you need will be determined by how frequently you use your gym. The more often it is used, the more filth will accumulate on it, and the more frequently it needs to be cleaned as a result.
It is recommended that you brush the flooring in your home gym at least once every week to get rid of any chalk and other larger pieces of debris that may have accumulated there. You should also make it a point to undertake a deep clean once every two weeks, during which you should mop both sides of the mats and disinfect them.
In order to keep your horse stall mats in good condition, you will need to move all of your gym equipment out of the way every few weeks so that you can clean the flooring. Although this may seem like a pain, it is vital to keep your horse stall mats in good shape.
It is possible that it will become soiled or damaged if you wait too long between cleanings, and if this happens, it may be difficult to clean it effectively. Keeping up with your cleaning routine will, in the long run, really save you time, therefore it is important to set aside some time each week to accomplish it.
Frequently Asked Horse Stall Mat Cleaning Questions
What are horse stall mats made of?
Recycled crumb rubber is utilized in the production of horse stall mats, and chemicals are added to the mix in order to keep everything in place. This material is suitable for use in home gyms since it is not expensive, it is firm, and it is pleasant; nevertheless, because it is porous, it requires adequate cleaning and maintenance on a regular basis.
Can you pressure wash horse stall mats?
It’s true that the rubber used to make horse stall mats is durable enough to withstand being cleaned with a pressure washer; in fact, this is one of the most efficient ways to get them clean.
How do you deodorize a horse stall mat?
It will be easier to get rid of some of the strange odors that are produced by the materials if you let your brand-new horse stall mats sit in the sun for a few days. Mopping and disinfecting your horse’s stall mat on a regular basis should also help reduce any unpleasant odors. However, you can also add essential oils to the water you use to mop in order to mask the unpleasant smell with a more enticing aroma.
How long should it take to clean a horse stall mat?
The time it takes to clean your home gym will often be less than an hour, but this can vary depending on the size of your gym and how much you need to clean. After that, you won’t be able to use it for another two to three hours as it dries out.
Additional Biosecurity Practices
One of the many essential measures of biosecurity that you can take to reduce the risk of disease transmission is to regularly disinfect the stall in which your horse sleeps. Additional useful hints include the following:
If you are dealing with a sick horse, you should delegate the handling of that horse to just one individual. Nobody in the stable should let that individual touch any of the other horses.
Whenever you bring a new horse into your stable, you should always subject him to a period of quarantine that lasts for at least two weeks. If it is at all possible, you should opt for a period of quarantine that lasts for four weeks.
– You should never use the same water buckets or feed buckets for different horses without first sterilizing them.
In order to prevent the spread of infections and skin issues, you should provide each horse with its own individual set of grooming tools, saddle pads, and blankets.
If your facility is not prepared to provide an efficient quarantine, you should always make an effort to quarantine a horse at an official quarantine facility that is prepared with the appropriate equipment.
While you are going to several horse events, you shouldn’t let your horse interact with other horses. Always keep a close eye on your horse’s temperature, and don’t forget to bring along your own supplies, like water and feed buckets.
It is my sincere hope that you will not be put in a position where you will be required to regularly sanitize horse stables, as this can be a significant amount of work. However, if you are able to stop an infectious disease from spreading from one horse to another, then the work will have been well worth it.