How to Clean Your Home Gym Equipment

Be honest: When was the last time you actually cleaned your dumbbells, yoga mat and other exercise equipment? Perhaps, like many Peloton Members, it’s been a while. No judgment here! But it may be time to bust out the soapy water, so you can keep your belongings in the best condition possible. Read on to determine what kind of care your home gym needs.

Why You Should Regularly Clean Your Equipment

Although your home gym certainly doesn’t get the same traffic as a commercial one, you should still wipe down your equipment each time you use it, especially if several people in your house are using it. “Sweat can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus if left unchecked,” says Tony Ambler-Wright, product manager and master instructor for the National Academy of Sports Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona. “Plus, if you’re sharing home gym equipment with others, you might need to clean more frequently to minimize transmission of cold and other illness-causing germs that can contaminate and survive on surfaces for extended periods of time.”

Keeping Your Peloton Bike and Peloton Tread Clean

Cleaning cardio equipment isn’t just about keeping everybody healthy. It’s also about helping the equipment run better for longer. “As sweat, dirt and dust accumulate over time, not only can they degrade the performance of the equipment, they’ll also increase wear and tear on components which can cause them to malfunction or break down permanently,” Ambler-Wright says.

So how do you clean your Peloton cardio equipment? For starters, check the product manual (which you can find on onepeloton.com) for maintenance and care instructions. Here’s a brief overview of what you need to know:

If you have the Peloton Bike or Peloton Bike+:

After each ride: Wipe the Bike down with a damp cloth.

Every three to five rides: Clean your Bike with a damp cloth and mild household cleaner that’s been diluted with water. Avoid abrasive cleaning products. Use an electronics wipe to clean the touchscreen.

If you have the Peloton Tread or Peloton Tread+:

Every week: Before you do any cleaning, turn the power off and unplug the Tread. Then wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth and mild, soapy water. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or spraying or pouring liquid on Tread surfaces.

How to Clean Other Equipment in Your Home Gym

Cleaning your cardio equipment is a start. But other equipment like dumbbells, kettlebells, mats, foam rollers and exercise balls can be hotbeds for bacteria and as such, also require regular cleaning, Ambler-Wright says.

Here are the basics for each piece of equipment:

Weights:

If you dripped sweat on your dumbbells and kettlebells (who hasn’t?), give them a quick wipe with a towel. In addition, make sure to clean them regularly with a towel sprayed with an appropriate disinfectant (or use pre-moistened gym wipes). Just avoid using harsh chemicals, which could dry out rubber surfaces or damage the coating or finish.

Foam rollers:

Read the packaging on your foam roller to see if there are directions for cleaning. In general, you can use a damp cloth with mild soap to wipe it off. How often you do this will depend on how frequently you use the foam roller and if you’re sweaty while doing it. But if you’re rolling after an intense workout, at least wipe the roller down with a towel after.

Yoga mats:

Cleaning these will largely depend on what the mat is made of, so always check the manufacturer’s recommendations. (Some even have suggestions for deep cleaning.) But most mats can be wiped off with a slightly damp cloth. You might even consider a yoga mat spray (try, for instance, Jade Yoga’s Plant-Based Wash or Manduka Yoga Mat Wash and Refresh).

How often you need to wipe the mat down may depend on how you use it, although you’re certainly welcome to give it a quick cleanse after every session. A five-minute stretch on your mat is different, of course, than a 45-minute power yoga class that leaves you just as sweaty as an interval cycling class does. It also depends where you’re taking your mat. If you’re carting it into public places where there are more germs lurking, make sure you clean the mat more frequently. And don’t forget to get both sides!

Now that your workout area is in pristine condition, it’s time to spruce the place up a bit. Read on to learn about the best plants for your home gym.