How to Clean Stable Mats — Step-by-Step UK Horse Owner Guide

Last updated: April 2026

Stable mats are one of the best investments a horse owner can make — they reduce bedding use, improve horse comfort, provide cushioning for joints, and make mucking out significantly faster. But to realise these benefits long term, stable mats need to be properly cleaned and maintained. Neglecting mat hygiene leads to bacterial growth, ammonia build-up, urine seeping beneath mats, and ultimately reduced mat life and poor stable conditions for your horse.

As someone who has worked with equestrian flooring for over a decade, I can tell you that the difference between a well-maintained set of stable mats and a neglected set is significant — in terms of both horse health and your own time. Here's the right way to do it.

Understanding Stable Mat Materials

Most stable mats in the UK are made from recycled rubber (SBR compound) or virgin rubber. They're dense, heavy (a typical 1.83m × 1.22m × 17mm mat weighs approximately 30–35kg), and resistant to urine, water, and most equine-related chemicals. This durability is excellent, but it also means any liquid that gets underneath — particularly urine — can pool and create serious hygiene and odour issues.

Understanding this is key to proper maintenance: the goal is not just to clean the top surface, but to prevent liquid accumulation beneath the mats.

Daily Maintenance Routine

A daily routine takes 5–10 minutes per stable and makes the weekly deep clean much easier.

Morning Muck-Out

1. Remove all bedding — muck out thoroughly, removing all droppings and wet bedding from the mat surface
2. Brush off the mat surface — use a stiff yard brush to remove any remaining organic material, shavings, or hay
3. Check mat edges and joints — push mats firmly back into position if they've shifted. Gaps between mats allow urine to seep beneath
4. Check for wet spots — if the surface is wet, lift the mat in that area briefly to check for pooling underneath
5. Allow ventilation — if possible, leave the stable door open to allow air circulation and surface drying before re-bedding

Why Daily Checks Matter

Horses produce approximately 15–20 litres of urine daily. Even with rubber mats fitted correctly on a well-draining base, some urine inevitably finds its way to mat edges and the floor beneath. Daily checks catch wet spots before they become persistent ammonia sources that damage both the mat compound and your horse's respiratory system.

Weekly Deep Clean

A thorough clean once a week is the cornerstone of proper stable mat maintenance. Choose a dry day with good weather if possible — mats need to dry fully before being returned to the stable.

What You'll Need

• Stiff-bristle yard brush
• Power washer or hose with a jet nozzle (essential — bucket washing is insufficient)
• Rubber-safe disinfectant or stable sanitiser (e.g., Virkon S, Stalosan, or similar)
• Garden scrubbing brush
• Wheelbarrow or forklift (for heavy mats)
• Clean, dry area for mats to stand whilst floor is treated

Step-by-Step Deep Clean

Step 1: Remove all mats

This is physically demanding. For full stable mats (17–20mm thick), you're lifting 30–50kg per mat. Use a mat hook (a purpose-made tool available from equestrian suppliers for approximately £20–£35), trolley, or get help. Place mats in the yard or on a hard standing area.

Step 2: Clean the stable floor

With mats removed, brush out the stable floor thoroughly. Power wash the floor itself, paying particular attention to any areas where urine has pooled. Apply a stable disinfectant to the floor per the product instructions and allow the dwell time specified. Rinse off and allow to dry (or proceed to mat cleaning whilst floor dries).

Step 3: Power wash both sides of each mat

Stand each mat on its edge (leaning against a fence or wall) or lay flat. Power wash the top surface first, paying particular attention to the textured grip surface where organic matter can lodge. Then do the bottom surface — this is often more contaminated, with dried urine deposits and organic matter from the floor.

A pressure washer is genuinely essential here. A domestic pressure washer (1,400–2,000 PSI) is sufficient and can be hired for £30–£50 per day if you don't own one.

Step 4: Scrub and sanitise

Apply a stable disinfectant solution to both sides of the mat. Scrub with a stiff brush, particularly on the textured face. Allow the dwell time specified on the product — this varies from 2 minutes (Virkon S at 1% solution) to 10+ minutes for some products. Disinfectant is effective only if organic matter has been removed first — the power wash must precede this step.

Step 5: Rinse thoroughly

Rinse both sides of the mat with clean water. Disinfectant residue on the mat surface can irritate horses' skin and hooves if left.

Step 6: Allow to dry

Stand mats on edge in a position with good air circulation. In summer, this may take 1–2 hours. In winter or damp conditions, allow 4–6 hours, or dry mats in a covered ventilated area. Do not return mats to the stable until they are fully dry on both sides — damp mats returned to the floor will trap moisture beneath them.

Step 7: Treat the stable floor

Before returning the mats, apply a stable lime powder or proprietary stable floor treatment to the bare floor. This neutralises ammonia, absorbs residual moisture, and reduces bacterial load. Stalosan F, Bed Fresh, and similar products are widely used and cost approximately £15–£30 per bag.

Step 8: Replace mats

Replace mats, ensuring they fit snugly together with no gaps at the edges. A well-fitted set of mats will have all joints closed and mats flush against the stable walls to prevent urine channelling beneath.

Handling Ammonia Build-Up

If your stable has a persistent ammonia problem despite regular cleaning, the issue is usually one of:

• Urine pooling beneath mats (inadequate drainage beneath, or gaps between mats)
• Insufficient frequency of deep cleaning
• Mats too porous or worn (old, heavily used mats can develop micro-cracks that harbour bacteria)

For persistent ammonia, consider a probiotic stable cleaner such as Ecozone Equine or Biostable. These use beneficial bacteria to digest organic matter rather than just suppressing bacterial growth, and are particularly effective for ammonia control.

Products to Use and Avoid

Safe for Rubber Stable Mats

• Virkon S (diluted per instructions)
• Stalosan stable powder
• Farm-grade quaternary ammonium disinfectants
• Ecozone/probiotic-based cleaners
• Simple washing-up liquid and water (for light cleaning)

Avoid

• Undiluted bleach (degrades rubber compound over time)
• Creosote-based products (toxic to horses)
• Petrol or oil-based solvents
• Phenol-based disinfectants (toxic to horses)
• Hot steam cleaners at very high pressure (can damage textured surfaces on softer mats)

Lifespan and When to Replace

Good quality solid rubber stable mats, properly maintained, should last 10–20 years. Signs that mats need replacing:

• Significant cracking or surface breakdown
• Permanent compression (mats no longer return to original thickness)
• Persistent odour that does not respond to cleaning — indicates deep penetration of the rubber compound
• Surface texture worn smooth (loss of grip)

Our equestrian matting range at rubberco.co.uk includes solid rubber stable mats, interlocking stable tiles, and specialist equestrian flooring for all applications from stabling to horse walkers and wash-down areas. All mats are supplied to standard UK stable dimensions and can be cut to fit non-standard spaces.

Summary

Cleaning stable mats properly requires lifting them out, power washing both sides, sanitising, drying fully, and treating the floor beneath before replacing. Done weekly — or bi-weekly in heavy use stables — this routine protects your horse's health, your investment in quality rubber flooring, and the long-term condition of your stable floor. It's physical work, but the results are well worth the effort.

Shop Related Rubber Flooring & Matting

• Horse Mats And Stable Mats
• Rubber Grass Mats
• Anti-Fatigue Mats

Frequently Asked Questions

What thickness stable mats do I need?

For most horses, 17mm rubber stable mats provide adequate cushioning. For heavier horses or those prone to lying down, 22mm mats offer superior protection and comfort.

How many stable mats do I need for a 12x12 stable?

A standard 12x12ft (3.6x3.6m) stable requires approximately 9-10 mats depending on mat size. Our stable mat calculator can give you an exact figure.

Can stable mats be cleaned easily?

Yes – rubber stable mats are easy to clean. Remove bedding, brush off debris, then hose down with water. For deep cleaning, use a mild disinfectant solution.

Are rubber stable mats safe for horses?

Absolutely. High-quality rubber stable mats are non-toxic, non-slip, and provide excellent cushioning for horses' joints and hooves. They also reduce bedding costs significantly.

Do stable mats need to be glued down?

No – stable mats are typically laid loose on a solid concrete base. Their weight (each mat weighs 20–40kg) keeps them in place. Interlocking designs add extra stability.