The good news about gymnastics mats is that they are soft and spongy, an ideal surface for landing while practicing tumbling and other gymnastic skills. The bad news about that sponginess is that it soaks up sweat, eventually leading to the development of an unpleasant odor. This tendency has been there for as long as gymnastics mats have existed. Over the years, professionals have developed several effective techniques for killing that odor, and the mildews, molds and bacteria that are often responsible for them.
Step 1
Wipe down your gymnastics mats with a bleach solution at the end of each day. Dry the mat with a towel rather than allowing it to air dry. Even though it has bleach in it, standing water is a prime location for bacteria and other odor-causing agents to grow. A solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water is common, but you should defer to manufacturer suggestions if it differs from that.
Step 2
Move your mat outside monthly for a thorough cleaning, or more frequently if it starts to develop an odor.
Step 3
Set the mat up at an angle, leaning against a wall, in the sunlight. The combination of air and sunlight will kill many of the odor-causing bacteria if you leave it for most of a day.
Step 4
Spray the entire mat with carpet odor-removal spray. Let sit for a few minutes, and wipe clean. Pet odor sprays are often a good choice here, as they can be among the most effective.
Step 5
Clean all surfaces of the mat with your bleach solution and dry with a towel. Unlike your regular maintenance wipe from earlier, this should be a thorough scrubbing of the mat.
Step 6
Leave the mat outside for several hours to let the air and sunlight work on it as much as possible.
Tips and Warnings
- Odor control is easiest on a gymnastics mat that has its vinyl surface coat intact. When cracks and thin spots develop, moisture and bacteria can get inside the spongy foam below -- resulting in odors that are nearly impossible to get rid of. As soon as you spot a fault in the vinyl surface, patch it immediately with a vinyl repair kit. If you don't have one, a swatch of duct tape will serve until you can get it. Bleach can be hard on the surfaces it cleans, but is among the best agents for killing the bacteria that cause odor.
Things You'll Need
- Bleach solution
- Odor-neutralizing cleaner
- Sponge or mop
- Towel
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