Using Wrestling mats as an example, most people go over their mats with a mop that has been moistened with disinfecting chemicals and assume ​they have protected ​their athletes. In truth, they have done virtually nothing​ in the way of killing pathogens.

Quoted directly from the instruction sheet from one of the most popular chemical solution companies, here is ​what you must do for them to work :​

     • Apply solution with cloth, mop, sponge, brush, scrubber, coarse spray device or by soaking, so as to wet all surfaces  thoroughly. 
     • Allow to remain wet for at least 10 minutes. 
     • Remove solution and entrapped soil with a clean, wet mop, cloth or wet vacuum pick-up. 
     • For heavily soiled areas, a pre-cleaning step is required.
     • Pesticide wastes are acutely hazardous. Improper disposal of excess pesticide, spray mixture, or incinerate is a violation of Federal Law.

​In summary, you are to apply the chemical solution on the mat, making sure the mat remains soaked for at least 10 minutes. Then mop the excess off with a different clean mop. All this takes approximately 45 minutes.  skipping or short cutting any of these steps and you have not killed the pathogens. When you are done, you must pour any leftover chemical into a 55-gallon drum and dispose of it per EPA regulations.

It takes approximately  4 minutes to disinfect the mat that would otherwise would take 45 minutes.