The benefits to rubber mats are never-ending. Rubber is a highly-sought after flooring option, particularly for gyms and workout rooms, and for good reason. Rubber mats are a versatile flooring option, they can take a serious beating and they last for ages. Because they are so strong, they withstand a huge amount of weight and also add protection to the subfloor.
Amongst all of the positives of purchasing a rubber floor, there exists one big deterrent: the smell. When rubber mats are installed indoors, the rubber flooring odor can be immediately overwhelming. Some rubber materials have a stronger stench than others, and it is always worse in small, confined indoor spaces. That smell can give people headaches, and if you're running a business then it could potentially drive people away. Some people are highly bothered by rubber odors, while others don't mind them so much - especially if they choose a low odor option.
Don't let the possibility of rubber odor stop you from getting all of the other benefits of rubber. Instead, just stick to some tips on how to remove odor from rubber mats.
First though, let's take a look at why the problem occurs.
Why Rubber Mats Smell
Amongst all of the positives of purchasing a rubber floor, there exists one big deterrent: the smell. When rubber mats are installed indoors, the rubber flooring odor can be immediately overwhelming. Some rubber materials have a stronger stench than others, and it is always worse in small, confined indoor spaces. That smell can give people headaches, and if you're running a business then it could potentially drive people away. Some people are highly bothered by rubber odors, while others don't mind them so much - especially if they choose a low odor option.
Don't let the possibility of rubber odor stop you from getting all of the other benefits of rubber. Instead, just stick to some tips on how to remove odor from rubber mats.
First though, let's take a look at why the problem occurs.
Why Rubber Mats Smell
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| Removing Odor from Rubber |
Rubber, which is tapped from trees in a latex form, stinks. When you smell the rubber from a mat, you're actually smelling the mat giving off volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Nearly all scents and odors derive from VOCs. These compounds have been trapped in the rubber, but as the mat is exposed to the air and let in place for a while, the release of VOCs will slow down and the odor will fade.
Many rubber products are vulcanized, a process that fortifies rubber against heat and cold and gives it more bounce. In addition to the natural odor of rubber, binders used in the vulcanized can smell, especially those that are sulfur based. It is possible to find products in both forms - those that are sulfur based and those that are not. Some mats made of vulcanized rubber are treated to help minimize the odor. Other mats, such as those intended for outdoor use on playgrounds or barns, carry a significant odor.
Here are a few tips on how to remove odor from rubber mats.
Choose Appropriate Mats
First things first - choose your rubber mats wisely. If you have yet to purchase your rubber mat, avoiding rubber odor in the first place is far easier than rubber odor removal after the fact.
Some rubber mats have a stronger rubber odor than others. At Gym Rubber, we make sure to identify when a rubber mat has a particularly strong odor, so you can tell whether it's the right choice for your intended use. These mats may be just fine for use in large gyms or outdoor spaces, while they may a real nuisance in a basement or a garage.
As you choose your rubber mats, keep potential odor issues in mind.
Use a Neutral pH Cleaner
Once delivered, the first step to remove odor from rubber mats is by immediately cleaning them. Before even bringing the mat into the house, thoroughly wipe down both sides with a pH neutral cleaner (those that are not pH neutral can harm to rubber). Allow the mat to thoroughly dry before you install it.
If you have a stack of mats, be sure to pull the mats out and clean each mat individually. Allowing the mats to remain stacked will cause them to retain their odor, rather than promoting that odor to dissipate.
Maximize Ventilation
Proper ventilation is essential to remove odor from rubber mats. It will not take long to realize that installing mats without proper ventilation will only make the rubber odor worse. Luckily, creating ventilation is not too tricky.
Start by opening all of the windows in the space, then work on establishing a breeze through the room. You may need to run fans to help circulate the air and push the air out of the building in the early stages of installation. For large spaces like gyms or workshops, it may be necessary to bring in industrial-sized fans in order to create air movement that is powerful enough to ventilate. Position fans so that they carry the air across the room and out of a window or door. If you can get a strong cross-ventilation going, this can help to quickly air out the room.
Ventilation is especially important during the first days (and sometimes weeks) that rubber is installed. It will make all of the difference in lowering odor levels. Make sure that you have the windows open and fans going as often as possible until the smell has dissipated to an acceptable level.
Outgas With Sunning
Earlier we explained that the rubber odor you smell is the rubber releasing VOCs. In order to remove the odor from rubber mats, those VOCs need to be released so they can neutralize. You can speed up the process of the rubber releasing VOCs by using the natural power of the sun. Solar heat causes rubber to release (also referred to as outgassing) VOCs. The best part of this process? It does not cost a penny.
If you're going to sun your rubber mats, it's best to do it during the summer, when the sun is strongest. However, the method is still effective during other times of the year, too. Outgassing in the sun may take a few hours to a few weeks to fully remove the odor from rubber mats. The length of time depends on the specific rubber mat and how much odor it carries.
Many rubber products are vulcanized, a process that fortifies rubber against heat and cold and gives it more bounce. In addition to the natural odor of rubber, binders used in the vulcanized can smell, especially those that are sulfur based. It is possible to find products in both forms - those that are sulfur based and those that are not. Some mats made of vulcanized rubber are treated to help minimize the odor. Other mats, such as those intended for outdoor use on playgrounds or barns, carry a significant odor.
Here are a few tips on how to remove odor from rubber mats.
Choose Appropriate Mats
First things first - choose your rubber mats wisely. If you have yet to purchase your rubber mat, avoiding rubber odor in the first place is far easier than rubber odor removal after the fact.
Some rubber mats have a stronger rubber odor than others. At Gym Rubber, we make sure to identify when a rubber mat has a particularly strong odor, so you can tell whether it's the right choice for your intended use. These mats may be just fine for use in large gyms or outdoor spaces, while they may a real nuisance in a basement or a garage.
As you choose your rubber mats, keep potential odor issues in mind.
Use a Neutral pH Cleaner
Once delivered, the first step to remove odor from rubber mats is by immediately cleaning them. Before even bringing the mat into the house, thoroughly wipe down both sides with a pH neutral cleaner (those that are not pH neutral can harm to rubber). Allow the mat to thoroughly dry before you install it.
If you have a stack of mats, be sure to pull the mats out and clean each mat individually. Allowing the mats to remain stacked will cause them to retain their odor, rather than promoting that odor to dissipate.
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| Ridding Rubber Smell |
Maximize Ventilation
Proper ventilation is essential to remove odor from rubber mats. It will not take long to realize that installing mats without proper ventilation will only make the rubber odor worse. Luckily, creating ventilation is not too tricky.
Start by opening all of the windows in the space, then work on establishing a breeze through the room. You may need to run fans to help circulate the air and push the air out of the building in the early stages of installation. For large spaces like gyms or workshops, it may be necessary to bring in industrial-sized fans in order to create air movement that is powerful enough to ventilate. Position fans so that they carry the air across the room and out of a window or door. If you can get a strong cross-ventilation going, this can help to quickly air out the room.
Ventilation is especially important during the first days (and sometimes weeks) that rubber is installed. It will make all of the difference in lowering odor levels. Make sure that you have the windows open and fans going as often as possible until the smell has dissipated to an acceptable level.
Outgas With Sunning
Earlier we explained that the rubber odor you smell is the rubber releasing VOCs. In order to remove the odor from rubber mats, those VOCs need to be released so they can neutralize. You can speed up the process of the rubber releasing VOCs by using the natural power of the sun. Solar heat causes rubber to release (also referred to as outgassing) VOCs. The best part of this process? It does not cost a penny.
If you're going to sun your rubber mats, it's best to do it during the summer, when the sun is strongest. However, the method is still effective during other times of the year, too. Outgassing in the sun may take a few hours to a few weeks to fully remove the odor from rubber mats. The length of time depends on the specific rubber mat and how much odor it carries.
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| Removing Rubber Odor |
To sun your mat, follow these directions:
1. Lay your mats outside and put them in a sunny location - ideally before you've installed them. Look for a spot where your mats will be exposed to direct sunlight for as many hours as possible. Keeping mats in the sunniest, hottest locations throughout the day will help remove odors quicker. If you are able, move mats accordingly throughout the daylight hours.
2. In addition to keeping mats in direct sunlight, it is also important to strategically position mats so they maintain air circulation on all sides. Consider propping them up against a fence or a shed. You will also need to rotate the mats periodically so that both sides and all areas of the mats receive adequate sunlight.
3. Avoid unnecessary, extra work by keeping rubber mats away from dirty, muddy areas. Also, avoid laying mats flat on lawns or over grass. If left for extended periods of time, the mats will kill the grass underneath them. If sunned in a dirt area, your mats may require additional scrubbing before installing them indoors.
4. Finally, do a smell check after a day. If odor seems to reduce significantly, mats may only need another few hours in the sun. If little difference seems to have been made, mats may need another several days in the sun. Sometimes, if odors are particularly strong, it can take weeks to fully remove odor from rubber mats. Only install mats once they are completely dry and odor-free.
Most rubber mats are durable enough to withstand limited sunning, but if you ever try this strategy with another type of flooring or another product, realize that other materials may be more sensitive to sunlight. Excessive sun can bleach or fade products, and you should never sun a foam or latex product.
Store Mats Strategically
As mentioned before, be wary of bringing rubber mats indoors before all odor has been removed. If you are in the process of eliminating rubber smell and need to store them, consider doing so in a garage or shed where the odor will not bother people. Storing mats outside of spaces people spend time will help ensure odors do not have negative effects on people.
Be Patient
Upon first receiving rubber products, the smell can be extremely overwhelming. Removing such a strong odor may even feel impossible at first. Remind yourself that the smell will dissipate with time. Especially if you utilize one or more of the rubber odor elimination techniques above, there will come a time when you cannot smell anything coming from your rubber mats. Be patient in the process. If you need to have your mats installed by a particular date, order them well ahead of time so that you have plenty of time to work on rubber odor elimination.
Tips for Businesses
If you'll be bringing rubber mats into your business, like a gym, then you probably won't have the luxury of being able to take your time in airing out space and installing the mats gradually. If the installation is bound to affect others, make sure to advise clients and individuals ahead of time. For some people, the smell will not make a difference. For those who are highly sensitive to smells, however, should have some prior notice so they can find an alternative situation for a few days.
When you notify clients, be sure to highlight the steps you'll be taking in eliminating rubber smell. Remind the clients of the benefits that the new mats will offer, and explain that you're aware that the odor may be a problem and that you have a rubber odor elimination plan in place.
Your New Rubber Mats
Once you get through the process to remove odor from rubber mats, you will realize why it was all worth it. Rubber mats offer countless benefits, and they can make a space more versatile, safer, and even more comfortable. The smell won't last forever, and the above steps can help to get rid of the rubber smell so you can get back to enjoying the space even sooner.
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