by Nadia Sinclair

Working out from home has become the new norm, shedding light on an overlooked yet crucial aspect – the cleanliness of your workout equipment. Surprisingly, studies reveal that nearly 59 per cent of fitness enthusiasts aren’t too concerned about its upkeep. As avid advocates of holistic wellness, we at Wellspring24 felt it essential to educate our readers on its importance and provide effective cleaning strategies that ensure optimal fitness gear maintenance.

Pristine Yoga Mats

Let’s get started with an item you’ve probably used more often lately: your yoga mat. If you’re mastering asanas every day, cleaning your mat weekly is advisable. However, if your usage is less frequent, a monthly cleaning routine should suffice. Whether it’s a commercial yoga mat cleaner or a homemade concoction of clean water, tea tree oil, and white vinegar, your mat makes a clean slate for your next session.

Free Weights and Alternatives

Free weights, given their broad surface, require minimal effort to clean. Using anti-bacterial wipes or solvent works perfectly after every workout. For the DIY enthusiasts, detergent diluted with water serves as an effective, budget-friendly cleaning solution. If you’re using non-conventional weights, like canned goods, these too need to be wiped clean before retiring them to the pantry.

Gym-Closet Cleaning

A thorough wash in the washing machine is more than enough for sweaty gym clothes. However, avoid fabric softeners, as they’re notorious for locking in odours and sweat stains. Add baking soda to your regular laundry load to not only deodorize but also naturally soften your clothes.

Carpet and Hard Floor Maintenance

Working out on hard floors? Use a cleaning solution with a damp mop to banish germs. If the carpet’s your fitness floor of choice, vacuum thrice a week to eliminate surface dirt and dust. Deep cleaning using carpet shampoos, though less frequent, provides further dirt removal and protection.

Preventing Funky Boxing Gloves

With digital boxing classes becoming increasingly popular, it’s only a matter of time before your boxing gloves start reeking. To avoid this, wipe the gloves with clean cloth regularly. You could consider purchasing boxing glove deodorisers, or using money-saving alternatives like air purifying bags.

Spin-Worthy Exercise Bikes

Dirt inevitably accumulates on your stationary bike handles, both indoor and outdoor. An old toothbrush, washing-up liquid, and water work wonderfully for a thorough scrubbing. Also, disinfecting wipes efficiently clean the indents in the handlebars.

The lowdown on Running Shoes

Running shoes last longer when you keep them away from the washing machine and dryer. Instead, use an old toothbrush or soft scrub brush to remove dirt and mud. Clean the laces with soap and a scrubbing brush. Remember, heat can alter the shoe’s shape, so always let them air dry.

Armed with these tips, you can now ensure your home workout area is clean, efficient, and a pleasure to be in! Here’s to fitness in its cleanest, most holistic form.

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