7 Home Gym Items You Need to Clean After Each Workout

Home workouts are a great way to get moving and stay active without a gym membership. And you don’t necessarily need fancy exercise equipment to start fulfilling your goals. But just like it’s important to wipe down the machines at the gym, you should be cleaning your home workout equipment regularly to help prevent the spread of germs and remove any grime or dirt buildup.

Even if you’re the only person in your household using the equipment, regularly cleaning your dumbbells, yoga mats, resistance bands, and more is a must. Whether you’re a walker, runner, weight lifter, or have a fully-fitted home gym, here’s how (and how often) you should be cleaning common home workout equipment.

1. Hand Weights

A set of dumbbells or hand weights might be one of the most common home gym items, and it’s also one of the most high-touch pieces of equipment. You should clean dumbbells after every use, but it doesn’t always have to be a thorough deep clean.

To prevent the sweat and oils in your hands from corroding or breaking down rubber weights over time, wipe them down with warm water mixed with a little bit of soap. Use a microfiber cloth to clean them as paper towels can be too abrasive and fall apart. If multiple people in your household use the same weights, clean before and after a workout. For deep cleaning, consider wiping down dumbbells with a disinfectant once a month. 

2. Yoga Mats

Yoga mats make workouts on hard floors much more comfortable, but they can quickly get icky if you aren’t regularly cleaning them. The soft materials that make yoga mats so comfy also make them great at absorbing sweat and less-than-pleasant odors.

To keep your mat in top shape, wipe it down after each use with a household cleaner and a small towel. Deep-clean it at least once a month (and more often if you start noticing dirt or discoloration). Some mats might be washing machine-safe, while others will benefit from a quick soak in soapy water and a brief scrub. Make sure your mat is completely dry before rolling and storing it in your home.

3. Exercise Balls

Since most exercise balls are made of rubber or PVC, avoid using cleaning solutions on them regularly to help prevent cracks. Instead, use warm, soapy water and a small towel to wipe down the ball after each use, then dry with another towel. If you feel like your exercise ball needs a deeper clean, try a mixture of vinegar and water, or dilute a disinfectant with water before wiping it down. If you use any cleaning solution, follow it up by wiping down the ball with a towel dampened with just water.

4. High-Touch Areas on Workout Machines

Just like at the gym, if you have a stationary bike, treadmill, or another piece of large workout equipment in your home gym, wipe down any areas you came in contact with during your workout with a disinfectant wipe or a spritz of a cleaning agent and a microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, make sure the machine is unplugged (if it’s electric). Use warm, soapy water or a disinfectant cleaner and microfiber cloth to wipe down all surfaces, plus any nooks and crannies like cupholders. Avoid getting any digital screens or electrical components wet as you clean, and let the machine air dry completely before using again.

5. Resistance Bands

This is another piece of workout equipment that can start to smell and build up grime if it’s not cleaned regularly. To prevent cracking and wear, don’t put resistance bands in a washing machine or wipe down with household cleaners. Most bands can be hand-washed instead–deep clean them by submerging in warm, soapy water, and gently scrubbing with a microfiber towel. Then, air-dry the bands away from sunlight. 

6. Kettlebells

You can treat your kettlebells similar to hand weights or dumbbells—wipe them down with warm, soapy water after each use. Especially if you add chalk to the handles for a better grip, this will help prevent a buildup of sweat and grime. For a more thorough clean, wipe down with a small amount of disinfectant cleaner or a disinfecting wipe, then dry with a towel before storing.

7. Ankle and Wrist Weights

Ankle and wrist weights are a great way to up the intensity of a walk, but even if you don’t feel like you’re sweating, you still need to clean them afterward. Cleaning instructions can vary depending on what type of weights you have. For example, you might be able to fully submerge some silicone weights in soapy water. In general, most types can be cleaned with a slightly damp towel, using either soapy water or a small spray of disinfectant. Be sure to let the weights air-dry completely before using them again.

Even if you’re the only one using your home gym, it’s important to stick to a cleaning schedule to keep all of your equipment in top shape and prevent the spread of germs. Taking just a minute or two to clean after your workout will help make your workout equipment last as long as possible.