Can You Pressure Wash Rubber Mats?

Rubber mats are a popular flooring choice for their durability, shock absorption, and easy maintenance. You’ll find rubber mats in horse stalls, gymnasiums, weightlifting facilities, and more, and their longevity makes them a wise investment. When it comes to cleaning the mats, a pressure washer can save you time, but if you plan to pressure wash rubber mats, it’s important to do so carefully.

Can You Pressure Wash Rubber Mats?

Many rubber mats can be pressure-washed, but it’s important to understand whether your mat is made of vulcanized or non-vulcanized rubber.

Vulcanized rubber is non-absorbent, robust, and designed to withstand a constant blast from a power washer and scrub brush. These mats can even be soaked in water without being damaged. You can always pressure wash vulcanized rubber mats because they’re non-absorbent.

However, non-vulcanized rubber is slightly porous, with tiny holes that water can sit in after pressure washing, making the rubber heavy and wet for extended periods of time. The water can also end up permeating through the material. While you can still pressure wash non-vulcanized rubber mats, they can become heavy and waterlogged depending on your pressure settings and the location of your flooring.

Pressure washing non-vulcanized mats does not damage the mats, but you may not want water sitting and getting trapped under your mats in certain circumstances. If the mats are used in an outdoor setting, they could possibly endure a spray down from a pressure washer, but it certainly wouldn’t be a good idea for mats that are used inside.

Tips for Pressure Washing Rubber Mats

It’s always important to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your specific rubber mats; most manufacturers will tell you whether you can pressure wash the product or if you might damage the mat.

Additionally, these tips can help guide you as you clean certain kinds of rubber mats:

• Outdoor playground mats: Keep the pressure washer nozzle at least 8 inches away from the mats. Test a small area before pressure washing the whole mat, and use moderate pressure.


• Horse stall mats: Keep the pressure washer nozzle at least 8 inches away from the mats. Use moderate pressure and test a small area before washing the whole mat.


• Rubber mats, like anti-fatigue tiles or rolls for indoor use: These products should never be pressure washed. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for appropriate cleaning methods.

If you can’t power wash your rubber mats, there are plenty of other ways to clean them, such as by using a broom or vacuum cleaner. The manufacturer may also instruct you to scrub or spray down the mats with a type of household cleaner.

Greatmats offers a fabulous selection of rubber mats, with options that can be pressure washed, some that can be used outdoors, and others that should not be.

Greatmats Rubber Mats That Can Be Pressure Washed

Pressure washing rubber mats can be a valuable time-saver, so if you want mats that can be pressure washed, consider these two options.

Playground Swing Set Mat Earth

Designed for outdoor use, the Playground Swing Set Mat Earth is a valuable addition to a playground. Made from 100% recycled rubber, this heavy-duty mat helps maximize safety and absorb shock in areas beneath swing sets and slides. It’s designed to withstand heavy traffic and use, and the rugged mats also stay in place.

To keep the mats looking their best, you can power wash them as needed. In addition to using them in playgrounds, the mats can be installed elsewhere, too, such as for walkways.

Wash Rack Classic Interlocking Mat

The Wash Rack Classic Interlocking Mat is a product that is designed to get wet, so it can absolutely get pressure washed. It’s a rubber product designed to offer excellent drainage in a horse stall, dog kennel, or other wet area - with or without pets or livestock.

This ring mat is perfect for wash bays and other wet areas, as these durable, anti-odor, anti-slip mats are perforated with drainage holes and can support heavy weights. They are suitable for outdoors or indoors, and they are made of durable waterproof material.

Greatmats - For The Best Variety Of Rubber Mats

Greatmats offers a huge selection of rubber mat options, and the examples highlighted represent just a tiny sampling of what’s available. If you are wondering what mats are right for a specific application and whether or not they can be pressure washed, just reach out to the friendly Greatmats staff. They can answer questions about products, let you know how to best clean and maintain them, and assist with ordering.


When you order your rubber flooring from Greatmats, you can be confident in the fact that you’ll receive the best service, quality, and pricing available anywhere, with support staff who are always there to help you get the most out of your purchase. Whether you’re looking for rubber mats for use in a professional gym or to install at home, chances are we have the right product for your needs. Contact us today; we’d be happy to help you find the right rubber mat for your project and budget.