Wood gym floors provide more than just a space for sports. From schools, stadiums and recreational spaces, the appearance and beauty of a gym floor adds to the identity of a space and becomes a centerpiece for many activities. Today, gym floors are more than just for gym class. Wood gym floors often take on the role of a large multipurpose room, dealing with all kinds of foot traffic and physical wear and tear.

To best protect the investment of a beautiful, unique sport floor, be sure to develop a wood gym floor maintenance plan. Here are some do’s and don’ts when caring for wood gym floors.

Wood Gym Floor Maintenance Do’s

• Maintain Proper Moisture Levels. With all wood floors, too much or too little moisture in the air can make floorboards expand or contract. Aim for a 40%-60% humidity level for your wood gym floor.

• Regulate What Comes In. Set up rules to let people know what is allowed in the gym, especially when holding events. Can guests bring in food and drink? For best wood gym floor care and maintenance, try to limit potential accidents by not allowing them into the gym in the first place.

• Use Protective Coverings. Mats, shoe scrapers and other forms of floor protection should be placed along the entrances to the gym floor to minimize dust, dirt and debris. If possible, invest in a floor covering to protect the gym floor when not in use.

• Dust Daily. Dust is the worst enemy of gym floors. Dusty floors can be a hazard and lead to slips and falls. Also, dust and other grit can scratch the floor’s finish. Dry mop daily to minimize dust. Depending on use, floors may need to be swept multiple times a day. When dry dusting, look out for stains, scuffs or gum and clean immediately.

• Wet Mopping. Wet mopping will help increase the performance of wood gym floors. Simply wet microfiber mop pads in your Bona Cleaning Solution and make passes over the length of your floor along the grain lines. Please be sure to carefully follow Bona Cleaning Solution and mopping guidelines. Too much water or cleaner on your gym floor can be harmful. For this reason, we do not recommend using the “mop and bucket” method.

Wood Gym Floor Maintenance Don’ts

• Avoid Long Periods of HVAC Shutdown. While sports have their off-seasons, don’t take a break on your wood gym floor care. Keep airflow and moisture levels consistent to avoid cupping or crowning with higher humidity and contraction and gaps in the flooring strips with lower humidity

• Don’t Use Household Cleaners. Residential cleaners can often leave gym floors extra slippery, so use cleaners meant for sport floors. No cleaners that promote “Shinny” or scented cleaners, as they tend to leave a residue, causing a slippery floor.

• Don’t Use Tape. Avoid applying tape onto wood gym floors since pulling up the tape can damage the floor’s finish.
• Don’t Cross-contaminate Cleaners. Make sure facilities teams understand the basics of wood gym floor care and avoid using cleaners and solutions that have been used in other spaces. Gym floor care does not need a wide range of chemicals to keep them clean. Cleaners for bathrooms or hallways can do more damage and contaminate wood gym floors. Have a dedicated set of cleaning tools and pad, only for your gym.