No matter what kind of gym or workout studio you run, it’s important to keep the equipment—and the entire facility—clean. While you may ask members to wipe the equipment when they’re done, it isn’t enough to completely clean or disinfect a surface. Are you looking for ways to clean your gym’s equipment? Read on for the complete guide by 360clean.
Or, if you’re tired of doing all the heavy lifting alone, our team at 360clean is here to help. As leaders in the commercial cleaning industry, our specialized approach to cleaning protects your employees and clients from dangerous germs while also protecting your business’ bottom line. To learn more about our commercial cleaning services for gyms, contact us today for a free quote.
Gym Equipment & Regular Cleaning
The most important reason to clean your gym equipment is to ensure the health and safety of your staff and your members. Germs left behind on exercise equipment can easily spread illness from one user to another and can survive for days—sometimes even weeks—outside of the body.
As a business owner, keeping a clean facility is what’s best for business, too. If your equipment is poorly maintained and consistently dirty, people are less likely to come back. On the other hand, a bright, clean, and well-maintained gym will likely draw attention and help you grow your client base.
Lastly, cleaning your gym equipment regularly can help extend its lifetime. A buildup of dirt and grime on any piece of equipment can lead to premature signs of wear and tear and limit its function. Exercise machines are especially susceptible to this problem due to the various electrical components and moving parts.
How Often Should You Clean and Disinfect Gym Equipment?
Some people believe the frequency of gym cleaning should depend on how busy the gym is. But, if your number one priority is your members’ health and safety, daily cleaning is essential. It’s recommended that you conduct a thorough cleaning each day, either before locking up for the night or first thing in the morning before members arrive.
How to Clean Traditional Gym Equipment
If you run a general-purpose gym, there are many surfaces you have to clean daily. To clean any kind of gym equipment, you’ll need:
- Cleaning wipes
- A soft microfiber cloth
- Gloves
- Disinfectant
Once you gather these supplies, you’re ready to clean everything from free weights and benches to exercise bikes and ellipticals.
Gently Clean the Surface
To start, use a cleaning wipe or damp microfiber cloth to remove surface-level dirt, oil, and sweat from your equipment. Even if you ask members to wipe down the equipment when they’re done, you should still start with this step. After all, you don’t know if—or how well—they really cleaned the surface.
It’s important to wipe down every inch of your equipment to prevent pathogens from building up in inconspicuous places, such as cup holders, pedals, and handles. This step is necessary to remove grime that accumulates during the day and primes your equipment for the next step—applying disinfectant.
Apply Disinfectant
Next, dampen a clean cloth with your favorite disinfectant and thoroughly wipe down your equipment again. Allow the disinfectant to air dry so that it has time to kill all pathogens that are present. A high-quality disinfectant is always preferred over a general cleaner or sanitizer. Cleaners are meant to remove dirt and reduce the overall number of germs on any given surface, while sanitizers are designed to only kill bacteria. Disinfectants are the only type of antimicrobial pesticide that kills viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
How to Clean Pilates Gym Equipment
If you operate a Pilates studio, your cleaning needs are a little different than your average gym. Instead of treadmills and barbells, you’re more likely to have ladder barrels and pilates reformers to maintain. Luckily, you can still follow many of the typical best practices when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting your equipment.
You should wipe down the surface of your equipment once with a water-damp cloth and once with a disinfectant-laced cloth. Pay special attention to carriage tracks, shoulder blocks, and foot bars, as these are often overlooked and tend to collect dust. Remember to wash items, like your reformers’ hand and foot straps, regularly.
How to Clean Yoga Studio Equipment
Yoga studios are a popular destination for people looking to improve their balance, core strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. But these gyms also get pretty sweaty, so your cleaning routine has to be up to par to combat germs and odors.
Mats
In a yoga studio, mats take most of the impact and sweat. Surface-level dirt can be wiped away with a damp cloth, but for a deeper clean, look at the mat-specific manufacturer instructions. Some mats can be wiped down with disinfecting wipes, while others require warm water and gentle antimicrobial soap.
If you have a large number of mats to clean, we recommend investing in mats that are machine washable. This will save you a lot of time and hassle daily.
But no matter how you dry your mats, it’s essential to remove all moisture before rolling them up to store or using them again. Residual moisture creates the perfect environment for all kinds of bacteria and mold. That’s why it’s best to hang yoga mats up and give them plenty of time to dry.
Blocks
The way you clean yoga blocks will depend on what material they are made from. High-density, bacteria-resistant foam is the most popular yoga block material and is easy to clean by simply wiping the surface with a solution of warm water and dish soap. Wood blocks can be cleaned the same way as foam blocks, but avoid using soap on cork blocks. A gentle wipe from a cloth with warm water is enough to clean cork blocks.
Straps
Yoga straps are fairly simple to clean using cold water and laundry detergent. First, run the straps under cold water to saturate them. Then, using your hands, gently scrub in a small amount of laundry detergent. Take your time and work the detergent into every part of the straps. Rinse them clean using cold water, wring out any excess water, and hang them or lay them flat to dry.
How to Clean Kickboxing Gym Equipment
In a kickboxing gym, members bring most of their own equipment. But punching bags can harbor thousands of illness-causing germs. The best way to clean your punching bags will depend on what the outer shell is made of.
Leather Punching Bags
Leather punching bags should be carefully cleaned with your favorite leather cleaner. Steer clear of traditional cleaners and disinfectants, which could damage the leather. Any high-quality leather cleaner will do; it doesn’t have to be made specifically for punching bags.
Canvas Punching Bags
Canvas punching bags are simple to maintain. They should be wiped down daily using a gentle disinfecting wipe to kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi that lurk on the surface. Your bags need a little deeper cleaning once a week. For this, mix one tablespoon of vinegar with one cup of warm water and spray the solution directly onto the bag. Don’t oversaturate the bag. Gently pat the surface dry and let it fully air dry overnight.
Vinyl Punching Bags
Similar to canvas, vinyl punching bags can be cleaned by simply wiping them down with a disinfectant wipe. Vinyl can withstand a little bit more than canvas or leather bags, so if you have a stubborn scuff or dirt smear, it’s okay to use a slightly abrasive sponge to wipe it off.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Gym Equipment
When it comes to cleaning gym equipment, it’s just as important to know what not to do. To prolong the lifespan of your gym equipment, be careful not to fall victim to these common cleaning pitfalls.
Harsh Chemicals
Bleach and other harsh chemicals are great for killing pathogens, but they can wreak havoc on your delicate gym equipment. In general, they should be avoided for any sort of equipment, whether it’s metal, plastic, foam, vinyl, or cloth.
Wiping Away Disinfectant Too Quickly
Another common mistake is wiping away disinfectant too quickly. After applying disinfectant, many gym owners immediately wipe down their equipment to make sure it’s dry. But the disinfectant must be allowed to stay wet for a certain amount of time and air dried naturally to kill all the pathogens. This is one reason why it is wise to complete your cleaning at night. Simply turn on the fans in your facility to help things dry off.
Simplify Your Cleaning Routine
If you don’t want to keep up with daily cleaning, we don’t blame you. There’s a lot that goes into running a successful gym, so outsourcing your cleaning can take a load off your shoulders. At 360clean, we can help you maintain a clean and healthy environment for your gym’s members with recurring janitorial services. Contact us today to request a free quote!