While most of us are only thinking about our workout routine, have you ever thought about a cleaning routine for your at-home gym? When we’re in the comfort of our own home, cleaning our gym equipment daily might not be our first thought. However, a cleaning routine is just as important as a fitness routine.
Did you know weights have 362 times more bacteria than a toilet seat? If that doesn’t make you want to deep clean all your gear, I don’t know what will! Below we give a few tips on how often you should be cleaning your at-home gym equipment, as well as an all-natural DIY cleaning recipe to help you get the job done.
Your 3-Step Cleaning Routine
Now that you know just how dirty your at-home gym gear can get, here’s how often you should be cleaning your workout essentials:
1. Wash
Wash your equipment daily with an easy soap and water solution to get rid of dust buildup and dirt. Just as you’d wipe down your kitchen counters each day, make it a point to wipe down your gym equipment too!
2. Sanitize
Sanitize your gear after every workout with a sanitizing solution to reduce bacteria from spreading. Make sure you’re also sanitizing and washing your workout clothing and shoes so you don’t bring those germs to your next workout.
3. Disinfect
On a monthly basis, do a deep clean and disinfect with a strong solution to eliminate germs and buildup.
DIY Disinfectant Recipe for Gym Equipment
All you need to get your equipment clean and germ-free is a simple all-natural disinfectant recipe to keep the bacteria away.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar
- ½ cup distilled water
- A few drops of tea essential oil
Once you’ve got your ingredients, follow the steps below:
- Combine the vinegar and water in a glass spray bottle.
- Top off the solution with a few drops of essential oil.
- Shake well and spray on equipment surfaces when needed.
No piece of equipment is the same and neither is their cleaning routine. For more tips on how to clean your at-home gym gear, check out the infographic below.