How often do you clean your gym equipment and gym wear? Whether you enjoy taking part in virtual exercise classes or prefer heading outside for a refreshing run, working out usually means working up a sweat. But according to research conducted by Showerstoyou.co.uk, 59 per cent of people don’t think they need to clean workout equipment at home.
With more of us taking part in at-home exercises due to closed gyms, cleaning our mats, weights and clothing is vital to remove a build-up of bacteria, dirt and sweat. And cleaning the surfaces we're working out on – whether it's the bedroom carpet or hardwood flooring in the living room – is equally important too.
Not sure which items you should be cleaning regularly? The team at End of Tenancy Cleaning London have provided some tips on how to get your home exercise equipment looking as good as new.
1. Exercise and yoga mats
With more of us taking part in at-home yoga classes during lockdown, it's important we give our yoga mats a deep clean. Depending on how much you use yours, the experts recommend cleaning your yoga mat once a week.
If you can't get your hands on a cleaning spray, you can easily make your own all-natural cleaner using kitchen ingredients. '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,' they explain.
2. Free weights
Weights can get very dirty, very quickly. It's advised that you clean your free weights after every use, as these can become a hotbed for germs. These can be simply cleaned using regular anti-bacterial wipes, or, for a more eco-friendly alternative, dip a cloth into washing-up liquid and wipe the weights down well.
3. Gym clothing
Depending on how long you are exercising for, your gym wear should be washed after every workout in the washing machine. If you feel that your clothes still don't feel as fresh as they once were, a clever cleaning tip is to add baking soda to your laundry. The team explain: 'Including one cup of baking soda can deodorise your clothes and naturally softens them.'
It's also advised to avoid using fabric conditioner as this locks in smells, blocking sweat and odours from washing out.
4. Free weight alternatives
With gyms closed, many Brits are opting for household items to help with their workouts. From tinned cans as a replacement for dumbbells or lifting heavy books, these can all work effectively — but ensure you clean them properly before placing them back in cupboards and on shelves.
'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.'
5. Carpets and flooring
Once you've finished your home workout, always give hard floors a mop afterwards. If you're exercising on carpet, vacuum up the hair, dirt and dust once you have finished. Not only will this leave the space clean for other household members, but it will also reduce the spread of bacteria.
The experts add: '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.'
6. Boxing gloves
With social distancing in place for the foreseeable, many exercise classes, such as boxing, have been offered as virtual classes instead. If you've also been enjoying classes from the comfort of your home, it's important you give your gloves a good clean afterwards.
'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,' they advise.
Looking to freshen up the inside of your gloves? You can purchase specific boxing glove deodorisers which assist in absorbing smell, leaving your gloves smelling fresh. Alternatively, get your hands on air purifying bags; these are placed into the glove and help to eliminate odours.
Everlast Everfresh Boxing Glove Deodorizers
7. Bicycles
Whether you have a static at-home exercise bike or an outdoor bicycle, it's important to give your bike a clean after each use,
To effectively clean your handlebars, take an old toothbrush, pour a squirt of washing-up liquid onto the bristles and give it a good scrub. This will help to remove dirt and bacteria. Likewise, you can also clean your seat and wheels using hot soapy water and a brush, too.
8. Running shoes
When did you last clean your trainers? It's not often we remember to give our running shoes a wipe-down but it picks up a lot of dirt.
Instead of putting them in the washing machine (this can lead to damaged fabrics), wipe away mud with an old toothbrush and soap. The same goes for your laces — warm water and a dash of washing-up liquid can work wonders. Place them outside in the sun to dry.
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17 top-rated cleaning products the experts recommend
Multi surface cleaner
For an effective and eco-friendly surface cleaner, we recommend Method. They are transparent about their ingredients and only use those that are safe around both humans and pets. They come in a variety of fragrances with my personal favourite being French Lavender.
Price: £3.00
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Dishwasher detergent
Finish All In One Max Lemon Dishwasher Tablets
We recommend these Finish dishwasher tablets. They fit neatly inside your dishwasher's dispenser and leave crockery and cutlery sparkling, time after time.
Price: £11.00
Washing up liquid
We recommend Aldi's Magnum washing up liquid. Available in a variety of scents, with my personal favourite being Aloe Vera and Cucumber. Provides a good amount of suds and a little goes a long way.
Price: £0.65
Anti-bacterial wipes
Dettol Surface Cleansing Wipes
For quick mop-ups and zapping of bacteria, we recommend Dettol Surface Cleansing Wipes. Can be used on things like highchairs, bins and spillages on the floor. Comes in a handy, resealable pack that doesn’t lose its stick and therefore moisture! Ensure you dispose of them responsibly, they should never be flushed down the toilet.
Price: £2.00
Pre-wash stain remover
For giving stains on your garments the extra heave-ho before you wash them, use Vanish Gold Oxi Action. Roll directly onto stains and then wash as per the item’s care label.
Price: £3.50
Microfibre cloths
So good for so many tasks, just dampen, no need for cleaning chemicals. We highly rate e-cloths. Colour code them by room to avoid cross contamination and then pop in the washing machine to sanitise them for use again.
Price: £4.50
Mop
The Addis Superdry Plus is a great multi-tasker as it cleans, absorbs and dries your floors at the same time thanks to its sponge cleaning head. Brilliant cleaning results across all three flooring types we tested on, and it has a telescopic handle to tailor to your height. This also makes it compact for storage.
Price: £12.99
Cleaning sponge
The Marigold Cleaning Me Softly is a double-side wonder for removing burnt-on stains whilst not scratching surfaces.
Price: £3.35
Eraser sponge
For those irritating little marks on skirting boards or any washable surface, we recommend the Flash Magic Eraser. Simply add water and start erasing. Make sure you first test it on an inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t dull surfaces.
Price: £4.57
Adhesive remover
De-Solv-it Sticky Stuff Remover
The De-Solv-it Sticky Stuff remover is brilliant for tackling everything from leftover adhesive marks to chewing gum residue. Suitable for use on most surfaces and handy for having around.
Price: £3.39
Mould remover
Our testers swear by this! HG Mould Spray is a real work-horse for removing mould in and around the bathroom. Can be used on grouting, sealant and so on.
Price: £4.97
Carpet cleaner
The Oxy Stain Destroyer from Bissell is useful for tackling all manner of stains on your carpet or rug. Make sure you first test it on an inconspicuous area to ensure colour fastness.
Price: £9.99
Oven cleaner
For deep cleaning your oven, you’ll need a powerful cleaner such as Oven Mate. This gel formula is easy to apply using the supplied brush and gloves and then simply wipe away for a sparkling oven.
Price: £7.99
Dishwasher cleaner
Dr Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Dishwasher Clean
It’s important to clean your cleaners so they work efficiently and stand the test of time. Give your dishwasher some TLC with Dr Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Dishwasher Clean. Use every few months to ensure your dishwasher is hygienic and working at its best. Also comes with a handy little wipe to clean around the edges of the machine and across the front.
Price: £10.80
Washing machine cleaner
Dr Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner
The same goes for your washing machine. Use Dr Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner to ensure the smooth running of your appliance and keep it smelling fresh.
Price: £7.37
Biological detergent - eco option
Ecover Bio Concentrated Laundry Liquid
We were very impressed by Ecover Bio Concentrated Laundry Liquid’s stain removal results, particularly when considering it uses plant-based and mineral ingredients in its formulation. As well as picking up 89 per cent of curry sauce on average from cotton, it also removed 65 per cent of red wine and 95 per cent of baby food! The majority of coloured laundry also remained bright after continual washes, with only yellow and green fabrics showing slight signs of fading. Lastly, whites retained their whiteness almost perfectly, with close to top marks across the board on cotton, polycotton and nylon.
Price: £6.50
Biological detergent
Our current bio detergent winner is Lidl’s Formil Bio Laundry Gel. It offers exceptional stain removal on both cotton and polycotton fabrics. It also scored near to full marks for colour fading, showing little change across the spectrum of colours tested. It provided brilliant white retention on cotton and nylon materials. Available in a 24 wash-sized bottle, this gel is also easy to dose, thanks to the provided measuring cap. Not to mention it is great value for money!
Price: £1.99
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