Here’s how gyms are cleaning their floors
Rubber gym floors are built to take a beating but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to clean. Sweat, dirt, chalk, spilled drinks, and constant foot traffic make rubber floors collect grime fast. Add winter into the mix with salt and slush being tracked inside and that makes cleaning floors feel impossible.
If you’re still relying on a mop and bucket, you’re likely spending more time and money than necessary while still not getting the results you want.
The Downsides To Mopping
Mopping might seem like the simplest option, but it’s one of the least effective ways to clean rubber floors in gyms and fitness facilities.
- Mops spread dirty water instead of removing it
- Floors stay wet and slippery
- No real scrubbing power for textured rubber
- Cleaning takes too long
- Labor costs increase
- Sticky or dull floors that never feel truly clean
Over time, improper cleaning can also shorten the life of your gym floors, leading to premature wear and replacement costs.

What Works Best
The most effective way to clean rubber gym floors is with a commercial floor scrubber designed to deep clean textured surfaces while removing dirty water immediately.
Many gyms are using compact walk-behind scrubbers and ride-on scrubbers that can be rented or purchased.
The Benefits
- Scrubs deep into rubber, tile, and concrete
- Removes sweat, chalk, dirt, salt, sand, and winter sludge
- Vacuum recovery system leaves floors dry and slip-free
- Compact size fits between equipment and into locker rooms
- Simple controls—easy for any staff member to use
- Cleans, extracts, and dries in a single pass
Why Now is the time to Upgrade
During winter months, gyms see a big increase in tracked-in road salt, slush, melting snow, grit that wears down floors, and moisture that creates slip hazards.
Floor scrubbers are designed to pick up heavy debris and liquid—not just push it around—which is why many gyms upgrade or rent equipment seasonally to handle winter conditions.

Rent or Buy? It Depends.
Not every gym needs to purchase equipment outright. Renting is ideal for seasonal cleaning, special events, or testing equipment. Buying is ideal for high-traffic gyms cleaning daily or multiple times per day. Either way, using the right equipment lowers labor costs, improves cleanliness, and keeps staff and members safer.
Why Choose Bortek
We are experts at the sales and service of cleaning equipment. It isn’t an add on for our business, it is our business.