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LiteWeight Wrestling Mats: Care Instructions

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

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.

UNROLLING & ROLLING

The mats have been rolled with the vinyl surface inward - Always roll and unroll the mats in this way. Forcing the mat to roll in the opposite direction will damage the mat foam and vinyl surface). Before re-rolling the mat, always inspect, clean and dry the mat before storing.
Remove any mat tape before rolling. Begin by rolling each section of mat. Always roll the mat keeping the vinyl side inward. Begin by folding one segment over to form a triangle. Then continue to roll the mat, making sure to keep the mat tight as it is rolled. Avoid "coning" the roll by moving slowly as the mat is rolled.


DISTINCTIVE ODOR UPON ARRIVAL

The special, high quality coating that covers the surface of your LiteWeight wrestling mat may give off a characteristic odor for 1-2 days 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. To complete this curing process, simply place the mat in a well ventilated area and lay flat for 1-2 days, or until smell has dissipated.


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 (if it develops despite the Microban treatment of the foam) 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. Please emove and replace mat tape at least once a month to prevent the tape from bonding permanently to the mat surface. Tape adhesive can be removed with Goo Gone®, mineral spirits, or Simple Green® cleaner. Always use tape specifically made for wrestling mats. Other tapes may have more aggressive adhesive, which can cause the mat edges and surface to pull or lift apart from the foam.

STORAGE

If your mat cannot be stored flat, roll it up, strap it using the included strap, and stand it upright. 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. 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.