For most gym goers, the only type of cleaning they’re interested in doing in the gym is of the “power” or “squat” clean variety.
However, that usually changes once they buy themselves some nice equipment..
Suddenly, they start caring a lot more about keeping the equipment clean and about general home gym maintenance.
If this sounds like you, then you’re in luck; today, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about keeping your gym clean.
Before You Start: Supplies You Need
So you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get cleaning…but now what?
Well, first we need to get properly equipped and this involves shopping for the right supplies.
Here’s the list of things you’re going to need:
- Microfiber cloths
- Spray bottles
- Disinfectant
- Vacuum cleaner (add different attachments for hard-to-reach areas)
- Mop and a bucket (or two)
- Paper towels (buy in bulk)
- All-purpose cleaner
- Trash bags
This list should cover 90% of the common home gym cleaning scenarios.
How To Clean Your Home Gym: Step-By-Step Checklists
The key to having a clean gym is making it a part of your routine.
In the same way you have routines for your workouts, you need to have simple, easy-to-follow routines for cleaning and maintaining your equipment.
It will take a little effort to set them up, but in the end, your future self will thank you once they step foot in a clean, organized home gym.
Immediately After Each Workout
Here’s what you should do after each workout:
- Immediately wipe down all contact surfaces.
Handles, seats, barbell handles - basically, if you touched it, wipe it down. Remember how we told you to buy paper towels in bulk? Yeah, they are going to be really handy here.
- Air out the space.
Open the windows and let the air circulate the gym. If your gym is in the basement and doesn’t get much air flow, then we highlyrecommend getting a fan - this will help reduce humidity and odors (and will also make the space more bearable during hot, summer workouts!)
Daily Cleaning And Maintenance Tasks
These tasks should take no more than 5-10 minutes per day, and will improve your workout experience A LOT.
- Clean the gym floor.
Vacuum and/or use the mop and clean the entire floor. This will ensure that you exercise in a clean gym every single day and that there isn’t accumulated debris or sweat.
- Tidy up.
Return the dumbbells to their place, stack the bumper plates, rack the barbells…you know the drill. This will save you time at the start of your next workout and will be more visually appealing.
- Empty the trash.
This is especially important if you used disinfectant wipes.
Quarterly Deep Cleaning Tasks
Ok now we’re moving beyond the simple basics.
These are the things you should do quarterly (or monthly if you’re addicted to the smell of a freshly cleaned gym):
- Deep floor cleaning.
Beyond simple vacuuming, this ensures that your gym will be spotless and germ-free. (As an added bonus, it will also smell much nicer). Use a disinfectant appropriate for your flooring type.
- Wall cleaning.
Depending on how grimey your gym gets, you might want to clean the walls as well.
- Equipment cleaning.
Go beyond mere wiping. Clean the entire frames of machines, including hard to reach places that you’re not doing in your daily cleaning.
Accessories.
Wash resistance bands, straps, gloves, and other accessories (check the manual first). Also, deep clean any mats (yes, even if you’re wiping them daily).
- Ventilation check.
Dust any air vents or fans. If you’re using a humidifier, check and/or replace the filter (according to the instructions).
Maintenance Checks And Tasks
When it comes to equipment maintenance, follow this simple checklist:
- Inspect cables and pulleys.
Check cables for any signs of wear and tear. Check that the pulleys are working properly.
- Check bolts and screws.
Make sure that everything is tightened properly. If a screw is loose, tighten it (but don’t overtighten).
- Cardio machines.
Check for any unusual noises like creaks or grinding. Check for smooth motion (belts or pedals).
- Barbells/Dumbbells.
Inspect for rust or any sign of damage.
- Lubrication.
Lubricate treadmills, ellipticals, strength machines, bikes. Warning: before you begin, review the manual to ensure you’re sticking to manufacturer-mandated maintenance practices (you didn’t throw it away, did you?).
FAQ
Still have questions?
Here are the most common questions we get about home gym maintenance:
How to clean your gym in the winter?
With more time spent indoors, germs can spread much more easily. You will need to be extra diligent and clean equipment with a disinfectant after every use.
If your gym is in the garage, you’ll need to sweep and vacuum the floor more often to get rid of any tracked-in snow and melted ice.
Finally, condensation will be a big problem. You’ll need to vent out the gym (even if it’s freezing outside). Or you can use a dehumidifier if you don’t like freezing your butt off.
Which gym equipment requires the least amount of maintenance?
Generally speaking, simpler equipment like barbells, dumbbells, pull up bars, etc. will require far less maintenance than complex machinery with lots of moving parts. Buying high quality gear is important too - it lasts longer and is easier to take care of. The best bang for your buck is probably a power rack- it will allow you to perform a huge variety of exercises while being extremely easy to clean and take care of.
What are the best homemade cleaning solutions?
If you’re in a pinch, you can easily combine white vinegar and water (1:1 ratio), and then put it in a spray bottle. Just spray it on surfaces and clean with a microfiber cloth. Be careful, though: vinegar is acidic- it shouldbe safe for most gym equipment, but be sure to test it out first on a small surface.
Conclusion
Yeah, we know - home gym maintenance is not exactly the sexiest of topics. However, it is an important task that will help you reap benefits far into the future.
If you clean and properly maintain your equipment, you will not only make it last longer, but will also greatly reduce your chances of suffering from some type of infection.
Not a bad trade-off for something that takes all of 5 minutes after your workout…right?
