A Clean Sports Floor is a Safe Sports Floor

Why would you clean something that doesn’t “look” dirty? With sports floors, there are plenty of good reasons.

Think about the meticulous care given to a putting green on the PGA Golf Tour, or the way an MLB grounds crew carefully rakes the infield before the first pitch. That level of care is because sports surfaces are very important to athletes. In fact, one could argue that the playing surface is the single most consequential feature of any sport.

Whether practicing or competing, athletes come in contact with sports surfaces all the time. They rely on its uniformity, comfort, and stability for fairness and safety in a game. If something goes wrong with an outdoor field or an indoor court, you can’t just buy a new one at the sporting goods store. That’s why floor maintenance and cleaning is such a critical part of any athletic program.

It’s tempting to think that maintaining a floor is all about appearance. Of course, everyone wants their gym floor to look nice. There is nothing wrong with that. But, there is a hidden danger that comes with that mindset.

Flooring manufacturers design floors to “look” clean even though they aren’t. It isn’t a bad feature, but you must be aware that safety is also a reason for cleanliness. If not, you might not clean enough to keep the gym floor performing as it should.

According to ASTM F2772, acceptable surface friction for an indoor sports floor has a coefficient of friction between 80-110. That range is derived from historical data as the optimal balance for running, pivoting, and jumping—the sweet spot for indoor sports. But, that optimized friction only applies if the floor is clean.

If you add a particulate layer of dust and debris (even one that is invisible to the naked eye) on the surface, an otherwise optimal court can become an ice skating rink in no time at all. This occurs because the player’s foot is now contacting an intermediate and mobile layer, not the floor surface. Needless to say, injuries become more likely. So, what can be done to combat this invisible layer of peril for your athletes? Here is the prescription for keeping your gym floor performing as it should.

1. Sweep daily, at least.
Whether it is a hardwood court or a resilient polyurethane court, the best way to insure proper surface friction is to sweep the entire surface at least daily. As we mentioned before, some floors are designed to not show dirt. That’s why you can’t rely on an “as needed” schedule, because the floor may not look like it needs cleaning. Set a sweeping a routine and stick to it. This single action is the most essential thing you can do to make sure coefficient of friction stays where it belongs: between 80 and 110 (ASTM F2772).

2. Use a wet mop according to your manufacturer’s recommendations.
Not all dirt can be removed by sweeping. Use a wet mop to remove stains and other material that might be a little more stubborn to remove. Remember, anything that creates an intermediate layer between the an athlete and the flooring surface is problematic. Again, the most important aspect of this cleaning practice is to set a routine and stick with it.

3. Consider an auto-scrubber.
Proper cleaning tends to happen when it is quicker and easier. That’s why an auto-scrubber increases the likelihood of a clean and well performing sports floor. Although they can be expensive, an auto-scrubber can be well worth the investment if you anticipate struggling with floor maintenance.

4. Reference your manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
Most flooring manufacturers take great care in providing detailed instructions on how to clean their floors. You will typically find recommendations for periodic maintenance schedules, acceptable cleaning chemicals, and other considerations for specific flooring types. Get more than one copy and make sure they are available for easy reference.

The key takeaway is this: Don’t wait until your gym floor looks dirty. Set a cleaning schedule that works for you and your level of activity and stick to it. Also, remember that you have a helpful resource in Abacus Sports Installations. We are here to answer questions and offer guidance on how to maintain your sports surfaces.