Buying training mats is a big investment. It costs a lot of money and requires a lot of effort to lay them in the first place. That said you might want to do all it takes to protect your investment. So how do you get more out of your foam mats.

One of the most important things you can do is make sure you buy your mats from a reputable supplier such as Direct Mats. Often that will make all the difference. After that you want to make sure that what you do with your mats and where you lat them is idea,

 

1. Indoor Only

First and foremost it is important to remember that your foam mats are for indoor use only. EVA foam mats are no designed for outdoor use. In fact they should never be left in direct sun light and definitely not in the rain. The elements will cause your mats to expand and contract and eventually to disintegrate.

2. Acclimatise to your Training Area

Remember your foam mats can breath so you want to make sure they acclimatise to the area you will be putting them in before installation. Just leave them these for a few days so that they get used to the moisture content. This will not stop your mats from expanding and contracting totally but it will help minimise it in the future.

3. Sweep or Gentle Vacuum the Foam Mats

If you’ve got the interlocking foam mats – or puzzle mats, in most cases a broom or vacuum without the spinning brushes is a great solution to get rid of any dry debris. You don’t need to use too much pressure as a gentle vacuum is usually enough. Your mats will scuff over time. That is just natural. Remember your mats are for training. They are not a decoration piece.

4. Damp Mop the Floor Mats

For wet spills or sweat, basic household floor cleaner will do the trick. Make sure any cleaner you use to clean your foam mats is PH neutral. For cleaning of EVA foam exercise or jigsaw mats, use a damp mop to apply the cleaner and do light to moderate scrubbing.

Do not pour water onto your mats or soak them. If you do then water may seep in between that mats and cause damage to the floor below or the foam mats themselves. The main thing is use commonsense and don’t be silly. “Use you head”!

5. Scrub your Mats with Non-abrasive Rag or Cloth

For persistent soil or stains use a PH neutral cleaning solution and a non-abrasive rag or cloth. If you feel that you are going to need a bit more scrubbing then simply pull up the mats and clean it outside. Again you want to avoid getting water between the mats. Once you are finished let the mat dry our and put it back where to got it from. It is as simple as that.

So the moral of your story is when maintaining your foam mats use your head. Stop and think about what you are doing before you do it. Your foam mats can last you for years if you look after them properly.