Wrestling Mats: Care

Proper care and maintenance at time of receipt of your wrestling mat, during usage, and while storing it will greatly increase the life of your wrestling mats.

RECEIVING

IMPORTANT: If you receive your mats in cold weather, DO NOT unroll them until they have warmed up to room temperature (about 70 degrees) or higher or for a period of about 24 hours. Forcing a mat to unroll while it is cold could result in permanent damage to the foam and coating.

A wrestling mat will freeze at 40 degrees, so if you roll, unroll, walk on or set anything on a mat that is colder than 40 degrees, it will likely crack. If the mat has been stored or transported in cool temperatures, keep the mat rolled up for at least 24 hrs or until the mat is at room temperature before unrolling. Also, at 55 degrees, though not frozen, the impact protective properties will be greatly diminished.

If you receive your mats in warm weather, they should be unrolled and laid flat as soon as possible; never leave a new, remnant or reconditioned mat rolled for an extended period of time.

Before first use, the white powder on the mat (this is wheat starch - used as a protective coating during shipment) should be removed from the mat by sweeping or vacuuming.

SHRINKAGE

All vinyl coated new wrestling mats (new and remnant wrestling mats) will initially experience shrinkage of up to 5-7% from time of production.  When producing the mats we will make them slightly oversized to account for this shrinkage.  The majority of the shrinkage occurs during the curing period (the first 2 weeks after production - prior to delivery). Since we cure the mats for you, there will only be a 2-3% remaining shrinkage that will occur over the next 6-12 months.  After this period of time, the wrestling mats will no longer shrink.  Therefore, please allow for a total tolerance/variance of plus/minus 3%.

CURING - we do this for you!

The special, high quality coating that covers the surface of your new, remnant or reconditioned wrestling mat may give off a characteristic odor for up to two weeks after it is unwrapped from the shipping plastic wrap. This odor is a normal and a necessary part of the curing process. It will diminish as the curing process completes and will ultimately completely dissipate. Anyone who feels that they are especially sensitive to odors should avoid the mat for this period of time.

Please note, we perform most, if not all, of the curing for you - so, if your mat does give off a characteristic odor, simply put the mat in a well ventilated area and lay flat for a few days until smell has dissipated.

All wrestling mats require this curing time before they are tough enough and protective enough for normal use. If your mat is coated in "Red", do not clean the mat until the curing process has been completed. Failure to complete the curing process first may result in slight discoloration.

FLOOR CONCERNS

Certain floors may contain chemicals that may be harmful to the surface of your mat. New wrestling mats should never be placed directly on newly waxed wood, tiled, varnished, or synthetic rubberized floors until the mat is fully cured, as the solvent in the mat coating will pull off the chemicals on the floor. Once these floors and mats are seasoned, it is perfectly acceptable to place a wrestling mat on these floors.

A similar problem exists with concrete floors, as they contain an alkaline which will react with the mat's solvent coating and leave grayish white blotches on the mat. To prevent damage, the mat should be rolled out on polyethylene sheeting, which can be purchased at local building supply houses.

USE AND MAINTENANCE

A wrestling mat should be used at room temperature (approx. 70 degrees) to maximize performance (keeping in mind that heat rises and the floor will be cooler). At 55 degrees, though not frozen, the impact protective properties will be greatly diminished.

We recommend cleaning and disinfecting a mat with a cleaner and disinfectant such as Ken Clean. This is especially true in a shared-use environment. If your mat is coated in Red, do not clean the mat until the curing process has been completed. Failure to complete the curing process first may result in slight discoloration. We recommend cleaning your mat every day, but scrubbing should be done only after the mat has cured. Materials such as grease, tar, or tape adhesive can be removed with mineral spirits, naphtha, or gasoline. Mildew is easily removed with Sherwin Williams Mil-Kleen.

NOTE: Mat tape should not be attached to the mat for an extended period of time greater than 30 days. The tape will permanently bond to the mat surface and damage the coating when removed.

STORAGE

If your mat cannot be stored flat, roll it loosely. Never use chains, ropes, or wires to hold the mats. Do not store mat on transporters or set equipment on mat, such as plastic chairs, etc. as anything set on the mat will make a permanent impression on the wrestling mat. To reduce wrinkles, roll your mat from opposite ends and alternate rolling the mat from top and bottom sides. Never leave your mats stored on tubular mat transporters; it will create deep depressions. The life of the mat will be increased if it is stored flat, though that is not always an option.