Can I steam mop foam play mats?

Greatmats says: The heat from the steam could cause the mats to expand and/or buckle, so save the steaming process for your hardwood floors.

Pet Urine on Foam Play Mats: How to Clean Them

Q: How do I clean pet urine off a foam play mat?

House of Noa says: To clean your play mat, use a sponge or cloth with mild soap and water and dry the mat completely. It also says: Do not soak play mat tiles or use large amounts of water or cleaning solution on your mat.

Q: What if urine got between the foam tiles?

Greatmats says: Should any liquids get between the tiles, you can simply remove the tiles, clean and re-lay them.

Q: Do I need to dry the floor under the mat?

House of Noa says: Always be sure to dry your mat completely after cleaning so you don't allow any moisture to get trapped underneath. After cleaning underneath the mat, clean and dry the area completely before placing your mat back on the floor.

Q: What if a foam tile is ruined?

Greatmats says: This is also handy if a mat should become damaged, as you simply remove it and swap it out for a new one, or, in some cases, just flip it over.

This guide covers what to do when a dog, puppy or cat pees on a foam play mat, interlocking EVA foam tiles or foam exercise floor tiles: blotting, lifting the tiles, wiping and rinsing, drying the tiles and the floor under them, the heat and sun cautions, and what makers say about tiles that are past saving. It uses what three foam mat makers (Greatmats, House of Noa and We Sell Mats), the Carpet and Rug Institute, the AKC and the Cornell Feline Health Center say. If your pet also had an accident on a comforter or duvet, see cat peed on a comforter or duvet.

Step 1: Blot up the puddle

Greatmats writes its foam mat cleaning page partly for the moment when "your pet had an accident on it and you need to know how to clean them!" The Carpet and Rug Institute's advice for wet urine is written for carpet, but its first step is blotting: "Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels."

House of Noa, which makes foam play mats, says: "Wipe up spills as they happen with a dry cloth."

Sources: Greatmats, How to Clean EVA Foam Tiles & Vinyl-Covered Gym Mats; Carpet and Rug Institute, Spot Solver: Urine, Wet; House of Noa, Play Mat Care.

Step 2: Take the tiles apart around the spot

On its dog agility foam tiles, Greatmats says: "Should any liquids get between the tiles, you can simply remove the tiles, clean and re-lay them."

Greatmats' steam mop page says: "Should water get through the seams, it could become trapped beneath the mats", and in that case "you'll want to lift the mats and allow the floor to dry below before re-installing." For a bad mess, it says: "If the dirt, stains, etc. are bad enough, you can even pull up interlocking puzzle floor mats and scrub them in a sink or take them outside to hose them down."

Sources: Greatmats, What Is The Best Pee Resistant Flooring?; Greatmats, Can You Steam Mop Foam Mats?; Greatmats, How to Clean EVA Foam Tiles & Vinyl-Covered Gym Mats.

Step 3: Wipe with mild soap, and do not soak

House of Noa says: "To clean your play mat, use a sponge or cloth with mild soap and water and dry the mat completely." It also says: "Do not soak play mat tiles or use large amounts of water or cleaning solution on your mat."

Greatmats says: "In general, using a basic cleaning solution made of mild soap and water is your best bet. Gently run it across the surface of the foam mats using a soft cloth or mop. Simply make sure the cloth or mop are damp, but not overly saturated. This prevents water from seeping through at the seams." On installed tiles, it warns: "It's best not to pour solution on the mats or apply soak them while installed because liquids can work their way between the interlocking seams and get underneath the floor where it can become trapped." For urine on its agility tiles, it says: "When you do have urine to clean, use a rag or damp mop with mild household cleaners, and vacuum regularly for dry dirt, dust or debris."

Not every maker allows a mop. For its Forest Floor tiles, We Sell Mats says: "Remove any spills quickly with a nonabrasive towel and allow to air dry. The tiles are not suitable for wet mops." Greatmats also says: "Just be sure to test your cleaner or vacuum in an inconspicuous area before attacking the entire mat to ensure it does not damage the mats."

None of the foam mat maker pages we checked says to put foam tiles in a washing machine.

Sources: House of Noa, Assembly + Care: Mats; Greatmats, Can You Steam Mop Foam Mats?; Greatmats, How to Clean EVA Foam Tiles & Vinyl-Covered Gym Mats; Greatmats, What Is The Best Pee Resistant Flooring?; We Sell Mats, General FAQs.

Step 4: Rinse off the soap

We Sell Mats says: "Clean tiles with liquid dish detergent, warm water, and a soft cloth. Rinse tiles and allow them to completely air dry before putting them back down on the floor."

Greatmats' mopping steps say: "After the surface has been damp mopped with soapy water, rinse out the mop and bucket and fill with clean water only. Use the mop to rinse the surface to avoid soap residue."

Sources: We Sell Mats, General FAQs; Greatmats, How To Clean EVA Foam Mats.

Step 5: Dry the tiles and the floor before you put them back

House of Noa says:

"Always be sure to dry your mat completely after cleaning so you don't allow any moisture to get trapped underneath. After cleaning underneath the mat, clean and dry the area completely before placing your mat back on the floor."

Greatmats says: "Fortunately, the closed cell EVA foam is non-absorbent, so you don't have to worry about water damage. Just make sure to let the dry completely before reinstalling." For its Forest Floor tiles, We Sell Mats says: "EVA tiles must be thoroughly dried off to prevent moisture from gathering in between the interlocking parts."

Sources: House of Noa, Assembly + Care: Mats; Greatmats, How to Clean EVA Foam Tiles & Vinyl-Covered Gym Mats; We Sell Mats, General FAQs.

Heat, sun and cleaner cautions

No steam. Greatmats says: "We recommend that you DO NOT steam mop foam mats", because "The heat from the steam could cause the mats to expand and/or buckle".

Sun and temperature. We Sell Mats says: "Place the mats in an area with minimal direct sunlight." It adds: "Keep in mind that drastic changes in the room temperature can cause the mats to swell or contract."

Harsh cleaners. House of Noa says: "We ask that you refrain from using abrasive cleaning solutions like window cleaner, floor cleaner, acetone or alcohol. Using such cleaners may cause permanent damage to your play mat."

Sources: Greatmats, Can You Steam Mop Foam Mats?; We Sell Mats, General FAQs; House of Noa, Assembly + Care: Mats.

Can urine under the tiles harm the floor?

No source we checked says what pet urine does to the floor under foam tiles. At the end of its setup steps, which include cleaning and drying the floor and the tiles, House of Noa notes: "Note: failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the product or your flooring". If the floor underneath is laminate or vinyl plank, see our guide to cleaning pet urine from laminate and vinyl plank floors.

Source: House of Noa, Assembly + Care: Mats.

When a tile cannot be cleaned

Greatmats says of interlocking foam tiles: "This is also handy if a mat should become damaged, as you simply remove it and swap it out for a new one, or, in some cases, just flip it over."

We Sell Mats warns that new tiles may not match old ones: "older manufacturing lots will not match or interlock with our newer improved products. We recommend ordering enough mats to complete your project if you will need to add to or replace mats over time." On pets, it says: "We do not recommend them for pets because claws will leave permanent scratches on them. Many customers have used them for older pets' comfort, and others have used them for pet agility training only with the expectation they will need to be replaced as needed."

If the smell returns once the tiles are dry, see why pet urine smell comes back after cleaning.

Sources: Greatmats, What Type Of Foam Tiles Can Be Used Outside?; We Sell Mats, General FAQs.

Why puppies and cats pee on mats

The AKC says: "Puppies have small bladders and immature digestive systems, which means they need frequent bathroom breaks." For more, see puppy accidents: cleanup steps that stop repeat spots, puppy pads leaking onto the floor and how to clean dog pee in a crate or kennel.

The Cornell Feline Health Center says: "A cat with an aversion to her litter box will usually eliminate on a variety of surfaces." For kittens, see kitten accidents: how to clean up and stop repeat spots. If the mat is in a bathroom, see pet urine on a bath mat or bathroom rug.

Sources: AKC, How to Potty Train Your Puppy and Prevent Accidents Indoors; Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling.

Accident on the carpet or couch too?

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." It is not described for foam play mats; for those, follow the maker's care instructions and the steps above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.