With the new year comes resolutions, and those often pertain to exercise and fitness. In order to really stay healthy though, you need to make sure you know how to clean your home gym equipment to prevent germs.
Check out the following tips for keeping your workout equipment germ free in between home fitness sessions.
Note: The main cleaning agents in the below tips are either dish soap or vinegar. Keep in mind that while these kill many germs, they don’t always get them all. However, bleach and disinfecting wipes can break down your exercise equipment. If you want something stronger, you’ll need to consult your manufacturer’s instructions to see which products are safe for your equipment.
Whether you’re into cardio or strength training, working out usually means working up a sweat. When that sweat trickles down your body, it takes all sorts of bacteria and fungi with it. That means knowing how to clean home gym equipment is a must.
First, you need a disinfectant spray for gym equipment. Fortunately, you can easily make one from items you probably have in your kitchen pantry: Simply combine equal parts water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Now you’re ready to learn how to clean home gym equipment to prevent germs:
Step-by-Step Instructions
-
1Step 1Unplug powered equipment
Unplug any machines that have power sources.
-
2Step 2Wipe down large equipment
Dampen a microfiber cloth with your disinfectant spray for gym equipment. Wipe down the entire machine or bench with your cloth, re-wetting as needed.
Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down machines and benches again.
-
3Step 3Wipe down weights and dumbbells
Weights, dumbbells and kettlebells all see their share of sweat and bacteria, too. In addition, they also come into prolonged contact with your palms, meaning they’ll pick up anything that may have latched on to your hands throughout the day.
You can clean these workout necessities using a DIY solution: Just mix a few drops of dish soap with a gallon of warm water. You’ll also need a clean microfiber cloth.
Dip your microfiber cloth into the soapy water, then wring the cloth so that it’s damp, not soaking. Wipe down the surfaces of your weights, then dry your weights using a fresh microfiber cloth.
