Gyms and sports halls: cleaning floors under intensive use

In a gym the floor works harder than in almost any other business. Dozens of people pass through the training floor every hour, drops of sweat fall around the equipment, the changing-room floor is constantly wet, and the entrance brings in dirt from the street. At the same time members expect the gym to be clean and smell fresh — they pay a membership and they compare.

This article is for owners and managers of gyms, sports centres and studios: how to organise floor cleaning in the different zones, how to deal with odour, and how to do it without getting in the way of training.

The zones of a gym

Each zone needs a different approach and different tools.

The entrance: stop the dirt

Members come in wearing street shoes and often change inside. A mat at the entrance and a clearly marked changing area considerably reduce dirt on the training floor. More on mats and winter conditions in the article on mud, snow and salt.

The equipment floor

Gyms often have different floors — hard tiles in the common areas and rubber or specialist sports flooring around the machines and free weights.

For hard floors — tiles, porcelain stoneware — a general-purpose floor cleaner is suitable for daily mopping. Cobra floor cleaners are designed for hard floor surfaces, low-foam and fast-drying.

For rubber and sports flooring — follow the flooring manufacturer's instructions. They often have specific requirements for cleaners and the amount of water.

Around the equipment — that's where most sweat and dust collect. Wipe the floor around the machines more often than the rest of the floor.

The group studio: the floor people lie on

In the group-class studio people are often barefoot or in socks, do exercises on the floor and lie on mats. Here floor cleanliness is felt quite literally with the skin.

• Mop between classes if the timetable allows, or at least at the start and end of the day.
• Use a fast-drying cleaner — the next group shouldn't walk onto a wet floor.
• Dose precisely — cleaner residue on the floor feels sticky under bare feet. More in the article on floor-mopping mistakes.

Changing rooms: moisture and hair

Changing rooms are the hardest zone. The floor is constantly wet from the showers, there's hair on it, and people walk barefoot.

• Dry regularly during the day — puddles are a slip hazard.
• Mop thoroughly at least once a day, more in busy gyms.
• Collect hair before mopping — it sticks to the mop and gets spread around.
• Use separate tools for the changing rooms and showers — never the same as for the training floor.
• Ventilate — moisture and an enclosed room cause unpleasant smells.

If the site's rules call for disinfecting the floor in the changing rooms and showers, use a suitable product from the disinfectants category and follow its instructions. A general-purpose cleaner cleans, but it isn't a disinfectant.

Odour

The smell of sweat is the biggest challenge in a gym. Fragrance helps, but only if the source is clean.

Clean first:

• floors around the equipment and in the changing rooms;
• bins and drains;
• damp mops and cloths left in the store room.

Then add fragrance: fresh fruity fragrances go down well in a sports setting. Cobra Mango and Cobra Strawberry suit the entrance and changing rooms. Use one fragrance consistently — members come to associate it with the gym. More pointers in the article on fragrance in cleaning.

When to clean

Gyms often run from early morning to late evening. The main cleaning happens:

• Early in the morning, before opening — so the day starts with a clean gym.
• In the evening after closing — the main mopping of every zone.
• During the day — drying the changing rooms, quick interventions on the floor, cleaning between group classes.

Tools

• A microfibre mop for hard floors — the ballerina type or the microfibre strip mop.
• A bucket with a wringer — the 12 L bucket, a separate one for the changing rooms.
• An absorbent cloth — a chamois for quick drying in the changing rooms.
• Microfibre cloths — a roll of 30 cloths for equipment and surfaces.
• Gloves — nitrile gloves for the changing rooms and showers.

Paper and supplies

In a gym, supplies run out fast: paper hand towels, toilet paper, bin bags. An empty dispenser in the changing room is one of the things members complain about. For sports facilities we offer negotiated prices and regular deliveries — get in touch.

In short

• Divide the gym into zones and use separate tools for the changing rooms.
• Hard floors — a general-purpose cleaner; sports flooring — as the manufacturer advises.
• The group studio must be dry and free of cleaner residue.
• Changing rooms — drying during the day, a thorough mop at least once a day, ventilation.
• Clean the source of the odour, then add fragrance.

Frequently asked questions

Can a general-purpose floor cleaner be used on rubber flooring?

It depends on the flooring. Rubber and sports floors often have specific requirements — check the manufacturer's recommendations.

How often should the changing rooms be mopped?

Thoroughly at least once a day, more in busy gyms, plus drying during the day.

How do we get rid of the smell of sweat?

Clean the sources — the floors around the equipment, the changing rooms, bins and damp cloths — and ventilate. A scented cleaner finishes the job, but it doesn't replace cleaning.

Should members change their shoes?

Many gyms require separate shoes for the training floor — this considerably reduces mud and sand on the flooring. A clearly marked changing area and a mat at the entrance make the rule easy to follow.

How can we clean during opening hours without getting in the way?

Work in zones where nobody is at the moment — for example the group studio between classes or the changing rooms at quieter times. Use a small bucket, a mop and a "Wet floor" sign, and don't mop around the equipment while someone is training.

How often should we replace the mops?

In a gym, mops work hard — especially in the changing rooms. Have spares so you always mop with a clean mop while the other is washed and dried, and replace worn ones in good time.