Dusters work well on any small piece of rubber, such as on keyboards or appliances.
Compressed air works best for cleaning rubber gaskets, seals, and keyboards. Avoid holding the can of compressed air upside-down since it could cause liquid to spill out.
Sweeping doesn’t work very well on rubber floors since the dirt and residue might stick to it. [4] X Research source Avoid using a canister vacuum where the head drags on the floor since it could leave marks and cause wear and tear. [5] X Research source
Alternatively, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water. Mix half a cup of vinegar per gallon of water to prepare the mixture. [8] X Research source
This works especially well for cleaning rubber soles on shoes and rubber bath toys. If you can’t submerge the piece of rubber, gently wipe the soapy water onto the surface with a lint-free cloth.
This works well for rubber car mats, camper tops, or shoe soles. If you’re cleaning a rubber floor, use a soft sponge mop to scrub the surface. [12] X Research source
Baking soda works really well for rubber sandals.
For example, if you were cleaning rubber floor mats, let them dry out completely before putting them back in your vehicle.
If you don’t have a hose at home, go to a self-service car wash and see if they have a pressure washer available to use.
Test the cleaning solution on a small portion of the rubber before using it. If the area appears chalky after a few minutes, the cleaner may be breaking the rubber down. Add more water to dilute it before trying again. Alternatively, you can use an all-purpose cleaner and the Bar Keepers Friend. Spray small puddles of all-purpose cleaner and sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend. [18] X Research source Then scrub with a brush in a circular motion.
If you want to lighten the rubber even more or if it wasn’t effective, try applying the cleaner a second time.
This method works well for rubber vehicle mats.
Acetone is very flammable and may cause eye irritation, so be cautious when you use it. [22] X Research source Use acetone on things like rubber phone cases or shoe soles.
If you use a buffing machine, make sure it runs at less than 350 RPM, or else it could damage rubber floors. If you don’t have a rubber conditioner, mix 1 cup (240 ml) of fabric softener with 1 gallon (3. 8 L) of water.
