Recent research from Showerstoyou.co.uk discovered that 59 per cent of people don’t think they need to clean their workout equipment at home! With more and more people engaging in home workouts, it is more important than ever to provide education on how to keep equipment in the best shape possible.
Following this shocking statistic, End of Tenancy Cleaning London are eager to help Brits stay safe and provide some expert tips on how they should be cleaning their home workout equipment.
Yoga Mats
With hundreds of free yoga classes now available online, yoga has become even more popular! However, this means that mats are being used more frequently and therefore become dirty quicker.
If you are participating in yoga regularly, you should be cleaning your mat at least once a week, if you are a general user then once per month should be sufficient. There are a few options to choose from, however the simplest way is to purchase a yoga mat cleaner – there are many options available online with prices as low as £6.
If you can’t buy a yoga mat cleaner, then you can create your own at home. Fill a spraying bottle with clean water, add two drops of tea tree oil and some white vinegar. This recipe contains antibacterial and anti-fungal oils, so it is certain to clean effectively!
Free Weights
Free weights are relatively easy to clean, therefore it’s best to clean them after every workout. You can use anti-bacterial wipes to clean the weights or anti-bacterial solvent to scrub the surface with a clean cloth. Additionally, there are DIY cleaning methods. One option is as follows; use a few drops of washing up liquid, dilute it with water and finally wipe down the free-weight surfaces with a clean cloth.
Free Weight Alternatives
Due to money constraints, a lot of Brits have turned to alternative options such as baked bean cans as a replacement for dumbbells. Although this is an efficient money saving alternative, you need to make sure that you are giving it a good clean before placing it back in your kitchen cupboard! To do this, use the same solution as free weights – mix washing up liquid with water on a clean cloth and wipe the can down to remove any dirt.
Gym Clothing
To clean gym clothing you can simply put it in the washing machine with your other clothes after every workout and follow your normal procedure. Avoid using fabric softener; fabric softener locks in smells as it blocks sweat and odours from washing out, so you will be left with smelly gym clothes for your next workout session. Add baking soda to your laundry; including one cup of baking soda can deodorise your clothes and naturally softens them.
Carpet/Flooring
If you are working out on a hard floor, then simply use a damp mop with some cleaning solution to eliminate germs. If you are working out on carpet then the first step is to vacuum up the dirt, hair and dust to get through the first layer of post-workout grime – this should be done at least twice per week. Additionally, carpet shampoos will do a good job by providing a deep clean and leaving a protective shield that defends your carpet for longer. This does not need to be done as frequently and can be left for several months.
Boxing Gloves
Due to online Boxercise classes becoming popular in recent weeks there has been a sharp increase in participants. Boxing gloves can hold onto odours and become very unpleasant. Wipe your boxing gloves down with a clean cloth to remove extra moisture and prevent bacterial growth.
There are specific boxing glove deodoriser’s that can be purchased on Amazon for £11.99 to absorb smells and leave your boxing glove smelling fresh. A similar moneysaving option includes air purifying bags. These can be placed into the glove and left overnight to eliminate odours.
Exercise bike
Whether you are using a static at-home exercise bike or an outdoor bicycle you must clean your handles frequently as they pick up a significant amount of dirt. As a result, it is advised that they are cleaned after each use.
To clean your handlebars, gather an old toothbrush, some washing up liquid and water to scrub away the bacteria. You can also use disinfecting wipes and wrap them around the bars, using a twisting motion to get inside the small indents in the handlebars.
Running Shoes
To clean your running shoes, you must begin with wiping away dirt, grass and mud with an old toothbrush or a soft scrub brush. You can clean your shoelaces using soap and a scrubbing brush to remove any dirt that is visible. Try to avoid putting them in the washing machine if possible, this can lead to damaged fabrics. Similarly, avoid placing shoes in the dryer or near a radiator as heat can cause shoes to lose their shape.
