How to Keep Your Mats Clean at Your BJJ Academy

Mat cleaning is one of the most important responsibilities for any BJJ academy owner. It’s not just about aesthetics: a dirty mat can become a breeding ground for infections that affect your students and damage your academy’s reputation.

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know to keep your mats spotless: from cleaning frequency to the most effective products and protocols used by professional academies.

Why Mat Cleaning is Critical

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu involves constant physical contact. Sweat, skin, saliva: everything ends up on the mat. Without proper cleaning, pathogens multiply rapidly.

Common Infections in BJJ Academies

The key point: Many of these pathogens survive for days on moist surfaces. A single infected student can spread it to the entire academy if the mats aren’t cleaned properly.

The Impact on Your Academy

Infections have consequences beyond health:

• Student loss. Nobody wants to train somewhere they get sick.
• Reputation damage. News of infection outbreaks spreads fast.
• Legal liability. You could face lawsuits if negligence is proven.
• Training downtime. Infected students can’t train for weeks.

A clean academy isn’t a luxury: it’s a basic requirement for professional operation.

Recommended Cleaning Frequency

Frequency depends on how much your facilities are used. Here’s what we recommend based on best practices from professional BJJ academies.

Daily Cleaning (Mandatory)

After every class:

• Sweep or vacuum to remove hair, dust, and visible debris.
• Mop with disinfectant solution (see recommended products below).
• Allow the mat to dry completely before the next class.

Estimated time: 10-15 minutes per 1,000 sq ft of mat space.

Who does it: Instructor of the last class of the day, or rotation among instructors and advanced students.

Deep Cleaning (Weekly)

Once a week, dedicate more time to thorough cleaning:

• Move any equipment covering parts of the mat.
• Clean the seams between mat panels (where dirt accumulates).
• Disinfect walls near the mat (sweat splashes).
• Clean training equipment (gloves, pads, dummies).

Estimated time: 30-45 minutes.

When: Sunday evening or Monday morning, before the week starts.

Emergency Cleaning

Situations requiring immediate cleaning:

• Blood on the mat (stop class, clean and disinfect the area).
• Vomit or bodily fluids.
• Suspected student with active infection.

Protocol: Isolate the area, clean with hospital-grade disinfectant, and document the incident.

Recommended Cleaning Products

Not all cleaning products are suitable for BJJ mats. You need something that:

1. Kills pathogens (fungi, bacteria, viruses).
2. Is skin-safe (constant contact).
3. Doesn’t damage the material of the mat.
4. Dries quickly (so classes aren’t delayed).

Effective Disinfectants

Our recommendation: Quaternary ammonium-based products. They balance effectiveness, safety, and cost. Look for products labeled “sports” or “gym-grade.”

How to Prepare an Effective DIY Solution

If budget is limited, you can prepare an effective solution:

Basic recipe:

• 1 gallon of water.
• 1/4 cup of household bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite).
• 1 tablespoon of mild liquid detergent.

Instructions:

1. Mix in a clean bucket.
2. Apply with a clean mop.
3. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
4. Go over with a damp mop with clean water to rinse.
5. Allow to dry completely.

Note: This solution is effective but requires rinsing. Don’t use it if the next class starts in less than 30 minutes.

Products to Avoid

• Undiluted bleach. Damages the mat and is dangerous for skin.
• Oil-based cleaners. Leave the mat slippery.
• Strong scented products. Can irritate airways during training.
• Wood floor cleaners. Not designed for training surfaces.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Protocol

Here’s a detailed protocol you can print and hang in your academy.

Post-Class Cleaning (10-15 minutes)

Materials needed:

• Broom or vacuum.
• Clean mop.
• Bucket with disinfectant solution.
• Paper towels or clean rags.

Steps:

1. Sweep or vacuum the entire mat surface to remove visible debris.
2. Prepare the solution according to product instructions.
3. Mop in sections, working from one corner toward the exit.
4. Don’t soak the mat. The mop should be damp, not dripping.
5. Visually inspect as you clean. Look for stains, damage, or problem areas.
6. Open windows or turn on fans to speed up drying.
7. Verify it’s dry before students arrive for the next class.

Weekly Deep Cleaning (30-45 minutes)

Additional steps:

1. Move all equipment off the mat.
2. Clean the seams between panels with a soft brush.
3. Apply spray disinfectant to walls up to 3 feet high.
4. Clean mirrors (if any) with glass cleaner.
5. Disinfect all training equipment.
6. Check the mat condition. Are there damaged panels? Open seams?

Creating a Hygiene Culture

Mat cleaning is everyone’s responsibility, not just the owner’s. Creating a hygiene culture at your academy reduces work and improves results.

Basic Rules for Students

Communicate these rules clearly (on your website, posters in locker rooms, during new student orientation):

• Short nails. Hands and feet.
• Clean feet. Wear sandals off the mat, never walk barefoot in the bathroom or locker room and then onto the mat.
• Clean gi every class. Wash the gi after every training session.
• Don’t train with infections. Any suspicion of infection = stay home.
• Shower before training if possible (especially coming from work).
• Cover cuts and wounds with waterproof bandages.

Warning Signs

Educate your students to report immediately:

• Circular red patches on skin.
• Unusual blisters or crusts.
• Persistent itching.
• Any skin lesion that doesn’t heal.

Recommended policy: If a student reports a possible infection, they cannot train until they present a medical certificate confirming they’re not contagious.

Involving Students

Some successful academies implement:

• Cleaning rotation. Students take turns helping after class.
• Collective responsibility. If anyone notices a dirty mat, report immediately.
• Cross-inspections. Advanced belts verify that new students follow hygiene rules.

Equipment and Locker Rooms

A clean mat is useless if the rest of the academy is dirty.

Locker Rooms

• Clean daily. Floors, showers, sinks.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces (benches, handles, faucets).
• Adequate ventilation. Humidity promotes fungal growth.
• Hygiene products available. Soap, hand sanitizer.

Training Equipment

Gi and Training Gear

Remind your students:

• Wash the gi in hot water (at least 104°F / 40°C).
• Use detergent and add laundry disinfectant if there are suspected infections at the academy.
• Dry completely before storing.
• Don’t leave the gi wet in the bag (creates bacteria and bad odor).

Documentation and Accountability

Keeping cleaning records isn’t unnecessary bureaucracy: it’s legal protection and quality assurance.

Cleaning Log

Create a simple log sheet:

Benefits:

• Ensures no one forgets to clean.
• Documents incidents for future reference.
• Demonstrates due diligence if there’s any legal issue.

Weekly Checklist

Create a checklist for deep cleaning:

• Entire mat cleaned and disinfected.
• Seams between panels cleaned.
• Walls near mat disinfected.
• Training equipment cleaned.
• Locker rooms and bathrooms cleaned.
• Cleaning supplies restocked.
• Mat condition reviewed (damage, repairs needed).

Handling Infection Outbreaks

Despite the best precautions, outbreaks can happen. Here’s how to handle them.

Response Protocol

Step 1: Identification

• Student reports possible infection or you notice something during class.
• Stop activity in that area of the mat if necessary.

Step 2: Isolation

• The affected student cannot continue training.
• Identify who they had close contact with.

Step 3: Deep cleaning

• Complete mat disinfection with hospital-grade product.
• Clean all equipment used.
• Extra cleaning of locker rooms.

Step 4: Communication

• Notify all students who trained recently.
• Without alarming, but being transparent.
• Indicate what symptoms to watch for.

Step 5: Follow-up

• Verify the affected student receives treatment.
• Don’t allow their return without a medical certificate.
• Monitor if more cases appear.

Communication Example

Subject: Important health notice

Hi [Name],

We're writing to inform you that a fellow academy member
has been diagnosed with [type of infection].

As a precaution, we have performed a deep disinfection of
all facilities. However, we recommend you watch for the
following symptoms: [symptoms].

If you notice anything unusual, consult your doctor and
let us know before returning to train.

We continue training normally, but with the reinforced
precautions you already know.

Best regards,
[Your name]

Investment and Costs

Estimated Monthly Cost

For a medium-sized academy (1,000-1,500 sq ft of mat space):

This cost is minimal compared to the risks of not maintaining proper hygiene.

Recommended Initial Equipment

If you’re starting out or improving your cleaning setup:

• Industrial vacuum (optional but recommended): $150-300.
• Microfiber mops (minimum 3): $30-50.
• Buckets with wringer: $20-40.
• Spray bottles: $10-20.
• Signage (“Wet floor”): $15-25.

Related Resources

• Complete BJJ Academy Management Guide
• Communication and Community in BJJ Academies
• Student Tracking in BJJ

This article is part of MatGoat’s content on martial arts academy management. For more resources on running a successful BJJ academy, explore our guides.