Cleaning and maintaining rubber mats in industrial operations

Rubber mats are part of the daily equipment in many industrial operations. They protect floors, improve occupational safety and reduce strain at workplaces. At the same time, moisture, dirt, oil, chemicals or mechanical stresses act on the material on a permanent basis. Without regular cleaning, dirt can become ingrained and impair the function of the mats.

Professional cleaning and care help to extend the service life of rubber mats and to maintain safety in the operation on a lasting basis. Depending on the area of use, the requirements for cleaning, care intervals and cleaning agents used differ significantly.

Why regular cleaning of rubber mats is important

Rubber mats perform numerous tasks in industrial operations. They reduce the risk of slipping, protect floors, dampen loads and improve safety at workplaces. At the same time, they are exposed daily to high loads from dirt, oil, dust, metal chips, chemicals or moisture.

Regular cleaning ensures that the function of the mats is maintained on a lasting basis. Dirt can attack the surface, reduce slip resistance and lead to material damage in the long term. Well-maintained rubber mats last considerably longer and contribute to a clean and safe working environment.

Cleaning requirements by industry

The requirements for cleaning and care differ significantly depending on the area of use. In workshops, oil, lubricants and metal chips are often the main focus, while in the food industry hygiene and moisture resistance play an important role. In storage and logistics areas, by contrast, abrasion, dust and dirt from forklift traffic are the main issues.

The load on rubber mats also varies greatly. Production areas with heavy machinery stress the material considerably more than entrance areas or walkways. Cleaning intervals should therefore always be adapted to the respective area of use.

Industry	Typical load	Recommended cleaning
Workshop	Oil, grease, metal chips	daily dry cleaning and regular wet cleaning
Production	Dust, abrasion, machine residues	machine cleaning at fixed intervals
Food industry	Moisture, hygiene requirements	hygienic wet cleaning with suitable cleaners
Storage & logistics	tyre abrasion, dirt	regular vacuuming and machine cleaning
Entrance areas	wetness and road dirt	daily cleaning and drying

Typical soiling in industrial operations

Depending on the industry and area of use, different types of soiling occur. The following loads are particularly common:

• Oil and grease residues
• Metal chips
• Dust and abrasion
• Chemical residues
• Moisture and dirty water
• Production residues
• Tyre abrasion in storage and logistics areas

Especially in production halls, workshops or machine areas, dirt accumulates quickly. As a result, rubber mats lose their grip and can only fulfil their protective function to a limited extent.

Differences between different rubber mats

Different types of rubber mats are used in industrial operations. Depending on the construction and surface, the requirements for cleaning and care also differ.

Mat type	Area of use	Special features in cleaning
Workplace mats	Assembly and production	regular cleaning against dust and abrasion
Ring rubber mats	Entrance areas and outdoor surfaces	intensive cleaning for dirt and moisture
Anti-vibration mats	Machines and systems	check for oil and pressure load
Rubber runners	Walkways and halls	large-area cleaning advisable
Anti-slip mats	Safety areas	keep surface clean for maximum slip resistance

Material resistance and chemical exposure

Chemical resistance plays an important role in industrial rubber mats. Depending on the material, elastomers react differently to oils, greases, cleaning agents or chemical substances. The choice of rubber mat should therefore always be adapted to the respective area of use.

NBR is particularly suitable for oil-containing working environments, while EPDM is often used where there is moisture, weather or cleaning processes. In areas with chemical exposure, special elastomers with increased resistance are often used.

The wrong choice of material can lead to premature wear, porous surfaces or deformation. Regular inspection of the materials used during ongoing operation is therefore worthwhile.

Differences depending on the material

Not every rubber mat reacts in the same way to cleaning agents or mechanical load. The respective material should therefore be taken into account.

Material	Properties	Notes on cleaning
EPDM	Weather- and UV-resistant	Well suited for water and mild cleaners
NBR	Resistant to oils and greases	Particularly suitable for workshops
SBR	Robust and durable	Regular cleaning recommended
NR	Very elastic	Gentle cleaning advisable
CR / Neoprene	Good chemical resistance	Ensure suitable cleaners are used

Further information on various materials can be found on the relevant material pages of Martan Gummi.

Dry cleaning rubber mats

Dry cleaning is suitable for daily care and light soiling.

Typical measures:

• Sweeping with a broom
• Vacuuming with an industrial vacuum cleaner
• Removing metal chips
• Picking up loose dirt particles

Especially with production dust or dry residues, regular dry cleaning is often already sufficient to keep the surface clean.

Creating a cleaning plan for industrial operations

A fixed cleaning plan ensures that rubber mats remain clean and functional on a lasting basis. At the same time, maintenance intervals can be coordinated better and soiling can be identified at an early stage.

In heavily stressed areas, daily dry cleaning and regular wet cleaning at fixed intervals are advisable. In addition, visual inspections should be carried out in order to identify damage or wear at an early stage.

Many industrial operations combine daily cleaning, weekly intensive cleaning and regular material checks. This keeps safety, hygiene and durability intact in the long term.

Wet cleaning of rubber mats

For heavier soiling, wet cleaning is advisable.

Step-by-step cleaning

1. Remove loose dirt
2. Rinse the rubber mat with water
3. Apply a suitable cleaner
4. Clean the surface with a brush or machine
5. Remove residues thoroughly
6. Allow the mat to dry completely

Complete drying after cleaning is important. Permanent moisture can stress the surface and lead to hygiene problems in certain areas.

Which soiling requires which cleaning

Depending on the type of soiling, different cleaning methods are suitable. A coordinated cleaning process protects the surface and improves the durability of the rubber mats.

Soiling	Recommended cleaning
Dust and abrasion	Sweeping or industrial vacuum cleaner
Oil and grease	grease-dissolving industrial cleaner
Metal chips	Vacuuming and damp wiping
Chemical residues	special cleaners compatible with the material
Moisture and dirty water	Wet cleaning and complete drying
Dried-on residues	mechanical cleaning with brushes

Suitable cleaning agents

Mild and material-compatible cleaners are particularly suitable for cleaning industrial rubber mats.

Suitable are:

• pH-neutral cleaners
• mild industrial cleaners
• special rubber cleaners
• grease-dissolving cleaners for oil soiling

The following should be avoided:

• aggressive solvents
• strongly acidic cleaners
• highly concentrated chemicals
• hard wire brushes

Aggressive agents can attack the surface and shorten the service life of the rubber mats.

Cleaning for oil and chemicals

In many industrial operations, oil-containing or chemical soiling occurs regularly on rubber mats. Especially in workshops, production areas or machine environments, oil films and residues often settle directly on the surface. As a result, slip resistance decreases and safety at the workplace is impaired. At the same time, certain chemicals can attack the material on a lasting basis and cause the surface to become porous or brittle.

In order for rubber mats to remain durable in the long term, soiling should be removed as promptly as possible. It is important to use material-compatible cleaners that dissolve oils and residues without damaging the surface. In addition, regular inspection of the mats for visible changes or material damage is advisable. NBR rubber mats are often used for oil-exposed areas, as they have a high resistance to oils and greases.

Care to extend the service life

Regular care contributes significantly to increasing the service life of rubber mats in industrial operations. If soiling is left on the surface on a permanent basis, the material can age more quickly and lose stability. Especially moisture, chemicals or heavy mechanical loads have a long-term effect on the material structure.

In addition to cleaning, general use also plays an important role. Rubber mats should be laid on surfaces that are as even as possible so that no permanent points of stress arise. In addition, regular visual inspection is advisable in order to identify damage at an early stage and replace affected areas in good time. Fixed cleaning and maintenance intervals allow the function of the mats to be maintained in the long term and unnecessary wear to be reduced.

Common mistakes when cleaning rubber mats

• Use of aggressive cleaners: Strong chemicals can attack the surface of rubber mats and cause the material to age more quickly.
• Excessive water pressure: High-pressure cleaners with too much pressure can damage the surface and change the structure of the mats.
• Lack of drying: Remaining moisture promotes soiling and stresses the material structure on a lasting basis.
• Cleaning too infrequently: Residues become ingrained and reduce the slip resistance of the mats.
• Use of unsuitable brushes: Hard wire brushes can roughen and damage the surface.
• Permanent oil exposure: Oil films attack the material and at the same time increase the risk of slipping.
• Lack of visual inspections: Small defects often remain unnoticed for a long time and later lead to larger material problems.

Material-appropriate and regular cleaning reduces wear and ensures that the rubber mats fulfil their function in the long term.

Occupational safety and anti-slip properties

Clean rubber mats support occupational safety in production halls, workshops and storage areas. Soiling from oil, moisture or dust can significantly reduce the slip resistance of the surface and increase the risk of accidents.

Especially in heavily frequented work areas, rubber mats should be checked and cleaned regularly. Damaged or heavily soiled surfaces often lose their protective function and impair safe working processes.

As part of operational safety and maintenance concepts, the regular inspection of floor coverings and workplace mats is therefore one of the fixed routine tasks in many companies.

Hygiene and safety in the operation

Clean rubber mats improve occupational safety and support operational hygiene requirements.

Cleaning plays an important role especially in the following areas:

• Food industry
• Storage areas
• Production halls
• Workshops
• Machine rooms
• Entrance areas

Soiled mats increase the risk of slipping and can impair production processes.

Hygiene requirements in sensitive areas

In hygienically sensitive areas, increased requirements for cleaning and material care often apply. These include, for example, food production, packaging areas or medical working environments.

Here, rubber mats must be cleaned regularly and dried completely so that no residues or moisture become permanently ingrained. At the same time, attention should be paid to suitable materials with high resistance to cleaning agents and moisture.

Clean surfaces support hygienic working processes and reduce additional loads in the production environment.

When should rubber mats be replaced?

Even with good care, rubber mats eventually reach their wear limit.

Typical signs:

• Cracks or fractures
• severe deformation
• loss of slip resistance
• porous surfaces
• permanent oil or chemical damage

Damaged mats should be replaced at an early stage in order to avoid safety risks.

Manual or machine cleaning?

Whether manual or machine cleaning is advisable depends on the size of the area and the type of soiling. Small work areas can often be cleaned manually without any problems. For large production or storage areas, by contrast, the use of machine cleaning systems is usually worthwhile.

Cleaning method	Advantages	Typical areas of use
Manual cleaning	flexible and can be used in a targeted way	small workplaces and workshops
Machine cleaning	fast cleaning of large areas	production halls and storage areas
High-pressure cleaning	intensive cleaning for heavy soiling	outdoor areas and industrial surfaces
Scrubber dryers	even cleaning and suction extraction	large hall areas

Machine methods enable even and time-saving cleaning of large areas. At the same time, cleaning intervals can be standardised better. Nevertheless, manual inspection also remains important in order to identify heavily stressed spots or damage at an early stage.

Cleaning rubber mats outdoors

Outdoor areas place particular demands on rubber mats. Moisture, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations and dirt act on the material on a permanent basis. As a result, heavier deposits often form than in indoor areas.

Especially entrance areas, loading ramps or walkways should be cleaned regularly so that dirt and moisture are removed. In addition, inspection for moss, deposits or deformation caused by weather influences is advisable.

Weather-resistant materials such as EPDM are often used for outdoor areas, as they have a high resistance to moisture and UV radiation.

Cleaning large industrial surfaces

In large production halls, storage areas or workshops, rubber mats are often cleaned by machine. This allows large areas to be cleaned more quickly and evenly. Scrubber dryers, wet vacuum cleaners or industrial cleaning systems designed specifically for heavily stressed floors are used, among other things.

Material-friendly cleaning is important here. Especially with high-pressure cleaners, the water pressure should be adapted to the respective rubber mat so that the surface is preserved. In addition, care should be taken not to use any cleaning agents that leave residues or attack the material. Regular machine cleaning keeps industrial surfaces clean, safe and durable in the long term.

Costs, safety and value retention in industrial operations

Soiled or damaged rubber mats cause additional costs in the operation in the long term. A lack of cleaning increases wear, as a result of which mats have to be replaced more frequently. At the same time, soiled surfaces can impair occupational safety and lead to increased cleaning effort in adjacent areas.

Regular care helps to significantly extend the service life of the mats and to improve safety at the workplace on a lasting basis. Companies benefit from lower replacement costs, cleaner production surfaces and better durability of the materials used.

Especially for heavily frequented industrial surfaces, a fixed cleaning and maintenance plan is worthwhile. This keeps rubber mats functional in the long term and preserves their anti-slip properties even under high load.

Checklist for cleaning and care

• carry out daily visual inspection of the mats
• remove loose dirt regularly
• remove oil and chemical residues promptly
• use suitable and material-compatible cleaners
• ensure complete drying after wet cleaning
• replace damaged areas at an early stage
• document cleaning intervals
• check machines and cleaning equipment regularly

Clean rubber mats ensure safety and durability

The regular cleaning and care of rubber mats is one of the important measures for safety, hygiene and value retention in many industrial operations. Soiling from oil, dust, chemicals or production residues has a direct effect on the surface and the function of the mats. If these residues are left on a permanent basis, wear increases and durability decreases over time.

With suitable cleaning methods, coordinated cleaning agents and fixed maintenance intervals, rubber mats can be kept in good condition in the long term. At the same time, a clean surface improves slip resistance and supports safe working processes in production, storage and workshops.

Companies thereby benefit from a longer service life of the mats, lower replacement costs and a permanently well-maintained working environment. The decisive factor is always the combination of material-appropriate cleaning, regular inspection and the suitable area of use of the respective rubber mat.

Anyone looking for durable and low-maintenance solutions in the long term should also pay attention to high-quality materials and the right mat type for the respective area of use. The better the material, load and cleaning requirements are coordinated with one another, the longer rubber mats remain safe, durable and economically usable.

FAQ: Cleaning and caring for rubber mats

How do you create a cleaning plan for rubber mats?

A cleaning plan should include cleaning intervals, cleaning agents used, responsibilities and regular visual inspections.

Which rubber mats are suitable for outdoor areas?

Weather-resistant EPDM rubber mats are often used for outdoor surfaces, as they are UV- and moisture-resistant.

Can chemicals damage rubber mats?

Yes, certain chemicals can attack the surface and significantly shorten the service life of the mats.

How often should rubber mats be cleaned in industrial operations?

The cleaning intervals depend on the load and the area of use. In heavily frequented production areas, daily cleaning is advisable.

Which cleaners are suitable for rubber mats?

pH-neutral cleaners or cleaners specially suited to rubber are recommended. Aggressive chemicals should be avoided.

Can high-pressure cleaners be used?

Yes, but the water pressure should be adapted to the material so that the surface of the rubber mats is preserved.

How do you remove oil from rubber mats?

Oil residues should be removed as quickly as possible with grease-dissolving and material-compatible cleaners.

Why do rubber mats lose their slip resistance?

Soiling, oil films or heavy wear can change the surface and reduce slip resistance.

Which rubber mats are suitable for oil-exposed areas?

NBR rubber mats are often used for oil-containing working environments.

When should rubber mats be replaced?

In the case of cracks, porous spots, deformation or heavy wear, replacing the mats is advisable.

Our rubber sheets

For industry and trade, we offer a wide range of rubber sheets.

SBR rubber sheet

Our high-quality SBR rubber sheet (styrene-butadiene rubber) is the solution for numerous industrial and commercial applications. This rubber sheet is manufactured from first-class styrene-butadiene rubber and stands out for its excellent physical properties.

EPDM rubber sheet

Discover the versatility and reliability of our EPDM rubber sheet, which is manufactured from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). This high-quality elastomer solution has been specially developed to meet the most demanding industrial and commercial applications.

NBR rubber sheet

The NBR rubber sheet is a high-quality industrial product that has been specially developed for applications requiring excellent resistance to oils, greases and various chemicals.

Viton rubber sheet

The Viton rubber sheet is a high-quality technical product that is used for a wide range of industrial applications. Manufactured from fluoro rubber (FKM), it offers outstanding properties that make it the ideal choice for extreme conditions.

FKM rubber sheet

The FKM rubber sheet is a high-quality technical product that is ideal for use in demanding industrial applications. Made from fluoro rubber (FKM), it stands out for a wide range of outstanding properties that make it the optimum choice for extreme operating conditions.

Silicone rubber sheet

The silicone rubber sheet is a first-class technical product that has been specially developed for applications placing high demands on temperature resistance and flexibility.

PUR rubber sheet

The PUR rubber sheet, made from high-quality polyurethane, is a technically advanced product that has been developed for applications placing the highest demands on abrasion resistance and mechanical durability.

Neoprene rubber sheet

The Neoprene rubber sheet, manufactured from high-quality chloroprene rubber (CR), is a versatile technical product that is ideal for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.