Horse stall mats are slip-resistant, shock-absorbent, and durable floor mats used in numerous industrial settings.
No matter where they are used, they are bound to get dirty. However, their non-porous construction prevents water, urine, sweat, and other bacteria from absorbing into the material.
Whether you are running a commercial gym or caring for livestock, our cleaning guide gives you step-by-step instructions on disinfecting horse stall mats.
Cleaning High-Performance Rubber
Most horse stall mats are made from recycled rubber crumbs or high-density EVA foam. Rubber has all the high-performance properties you are looking for on the farm or in other industrial settings. Rubber’s durability and non-porous form make it easy to clean and maintain.
Horse Stall Mat Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning and disinfecting horse stall mats require a bit of elbow grease and some help with brushes, mops, and a clear solution. Some jobs may need a minor touch-up, while others may require deep cleaning.
To clean and disinfect horse stall mats, you may need the following items:
- Disinfectant
- Non-acidic cleaning agent
- Mild dish soap
- Water
- Vacuum
- Mop
- Broom
2-In-1 Squeegee Plus Broom
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- Bucket
Wilco, "For the Farmer in All of Us" White Plastic Bucket, 5 gal
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- Scrub brush
Quickie 202 Scrubber Brush, Comfort-Grip Plastic Handle
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- Hose and a high-pressure nozzle
Green Thumb, Nylon Garden Hose, 50 ft
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- Long-sleeve shirt and pants
- Gloves
American Glove Chemical Rubber 21MIL Thick Glove, 700
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- Rubber boots
Black Waterproof PVC Boots, 18822
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- Floor fan
Cleaning tools need to be disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of disease. Bleach is an effective disinfectant that can be used after cleaning brushes with soap and water.
When Should You Clean a Horse Stall Mat?
Rubber horse stall mats are easy to clean and disinfect. The frequency of cleaning and disinfecting your rubber floor varies by situation.
Barn
If you are a barn owner, here are a few reasons why you should disinfect your horse stall mat:
- If you have a sick animal with a contagious disease, disinfecting can help prevent the spread of the disease.
- Quarantine stalls require regular disinfecting, especially when a horse becomes sick.
- Cleaning horse stall mats before you travel to a show ensures no disease spreads from the horses that used them before.
- Whether you got used horse stall mats or you have just moved into a used barn, cleaning and disinfecting the stalls is critical before putting in your horses.
Gym
Home and commercial gyms also commonly use horse stall mats as an affordable and durable alternative to traditional rubber gym floors.
Rubber flooring should be cleaned as necessary. That could mean sweeping up, vacuuming, mopping minor spills, and disinfecting the area. You can perform a deeper clean on your rubber gym floor every week or two to remove those tough stains.
Cleaning Horse Stall Mats in a Barn
Cleaning your stall and trailer may involve sanitizing horse stall mats to prevent the spread of disease. Luckily, you can clean stall mats and keep your livestock healthy with a few simple supplies.
Remove Organic Matter
Horse stalls and trailers can get messy. To begin cleaning horse stall mats, you will need to remove any feed, hay, manure, or bedding from the area. Remove any buckets, feeders, and other moveable objects to give your space a deep clean.
Remove the Mats
Remove the mats from the stall and move them outdoors. Avoid dragging them across the barn aisle, which can make a mess. Once outdoors, position them in an area that is not accessible to horses and is close enough to a hose.
Pro tip: Clean horse stall mats on sunny and breezy days to help dry the cleaned and rinsed mats.
Spray the Mats
Use a hose with a high-pressure nozzle to remove any dirt, mud, dust, and other debris off the mat. If possible, shake the mats after they have been sprayed to dislodge any other material.
Horse stall mats may be pressure washed. However, be careful since the pressure of the spray may damage the mat.
Disinfect the Mats
Use a disinfectant on the top side of the mat, which may be more contaminated than the bottom. Follow the disinfectant’s application instructions. Most disinfectants must be left on the surface for a specific amount of time before rinsing. Perform the same process for the underside of the horse stall mat.
Dry the Mats
Now it is time to air dry the mats before putting them back into the stall. Then, lean the mats up against a structure such as a solid fence to dry. You can use a floor fan to speed up drying.
Replace the Mats
After your horse stall mats are cleaned, disinfected, and dried, you can put them back in your horse stall. If you have a dirt or sand floor, you may need to compact the ground to ensure the mats fit correctly.
Cleaning Horse Stall Mats in a Gym
Cleaning stall mats in a commercial or garage gym may be a bit different than cleaning them in a barn. You may not be able to clean your gym’s rubber floors outside. If you have interlocking gym mats, you may need to be careful not to let water seep through the edges.
Overall, keeping horse stall mats in gyms clean is simple to do. In some cases, a deep clean can help get rid of that rubber smell in some mats. Here is how to keep your gym floor clean.
Spot Clean
Before giving your stall mats a deep clean, start by scrubbing any sticky substances, dirt, dust, or other spots that require some extra muscle.
Use a soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush to remove this stuck-on material. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers since these can damage the rubber flooring.
Sweep or Vacuum
Sweeping or vacuuming can help remove dirt, moisture, and other debris. Vacuuming this loose debris can prevent it from sticking to the mat when mopping.
For small jobs, we recommend the Wet/Dry Vacuum 20V Bare Tool with ½ gallon capacity or the 2-gallon 20V MAX Cordless or Corded Wet Dry Vacuum.
For larger cleaning projects, use the Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Vacuum with 5.5 peak horsepower and a 12-gallon capacity. This vacuum has an extension wand and nozzles that can help you get to those hard-to-reach places around your home gym equipment.
Mop
After spot cleaning and vacuuming the horse stall mats, you can begin mopping the stall mat area while being careful not to allow the water to seep into the edges of the mat.
Avoid oversaturating your sponge mop when mopping. Soaking the floor can cause water to get inside the seams of the mats, which can increase the risk of mold. If water gets down to the wood or carpet flooring, it can also cause a distinct musty smell. To prevent water from seeping into the floor, some people have used tape to cover the edges between floor mats to ensure a deep clean.
Some people may use a special cleaning solution or make their own with lemon juice or vinegar and water. However, acidic cleaners such as bleach can cause excess wear and tear on rubber mats if they’re used frequently. Instead, use a small amount of mild dish soap to clean the mats.
Dry
Allow the rubber floor to dry completely after mopping instead of wiping the moisture with a towel. Air drying the rubber mats can create a streak-free finish. For speedier drying, use a wet vacuum to remove excess water after mopping and let the rest air dry.
Keep Your Facility Clean with Wilco Farm Stores
Keep your barn, gym, or another facility well-maintained with heavy-duty cleaning supplies and horse stall mats from Wilco Farm Stores. We carry a wide range of equipment including shop vacs, stall mats, and more, to keep your facility running smoothly.
