There is lots of talk about Spring Cleaning your house, your wardrobe or your nutrition but have you ever thought about Spring Cleaning Your Workout Gear? I mean actually cleaning it? I am one of those people who always wipes down gym machines before I get on them and I open the bathroom door with a paper towel. Yup, I am that girl! However, some of my other gym habits might need cleaning up a bit. This is for both of us. (This is an update of a previously published post)
Workout Gear that need some Spring Cleaning
Flip Flops Ok so you wear your flip flops in the shower at the gym and maybe even into the bathrooms. What do you do with them after that? You throw them into your gym bag covered with germs right? I now keep mine in a separate plastic baggie inside my bag. Pro tip-you can also throw them into the laundry with your clothes.
Gym Bag- You throw in those dirty flip flops, sweaty clothes, bras, socks and shoes but do ever clean the inside of your gym bag? I was thinking about how long I’ve been using the same bag and how many germs must be in there! Easy to use some wipes on the inside of your bag from time to time or keep dirty clothes in a separate bag that goes right into your laundry basket at home. Or a great excuse to buy a new bag (just saying).
Yoga mat-I clean the top of my yoga mat with a wipe after each class but I realized that if I roll it up all the germs from the studio floor are really getting right back on it. That kind of grossed me out so I came up with this easy and efficient way to clean a yoga mat. easy and efficient way to clean a yoga mat. There are some seriously sweaty people in those hot yoga classes!
Earbuds and goggles I rinse my goggles and swim cap in soapy water from time to time to get the chlorine off of them but then put them right back in my bag. I will now be keeping them in a little case to keep them cleaner. How about those headphones? Does anyone clean off their headphones? I realized that my Aftershokz sit right on my sweaty cheeks.
Heart rate monitor/running watch- Probably only your own sweat on these but also a great idea to clean them from time to time.
Related posts you might like>>> Home Gym Must Haves
Now that I have completely grossed you out, tell me how often do you clean your workout gear? Ear Buds? What else did I miss?
Linking up
I’m not a germaphobe, and good thing too, because cleaning just ain’t my thing (even if I was just cleaning the kitchen).
All good points, though!
I belonged to this gym for a year that had this machine that you put your swimsuit in & it got almost all the water out of it. It was magical. I wonder how often they cleaned it? Although the place was quite clean.
Wish I had one of those at home!
Oh I always wondered if that swim machine would damage your suit?!
I seriously need to clean my yoga mat! I use it under my bike when I train indoors and then do yoga on it? Who am I?
Ok so yes kind of gross but at least it’s in your house so only your germs 🙂
OMG!!! I totally have the heebie jeebies now!!!
I insist on putting shoes in plastic bags in my suitcase/bag. The Hubs rolls his eyes at me as I do his too. I’m totally showing this.
LOL that is exactly the same reaction I get from my hubs. He put his checked bag on our bed once!!
I am so bad at cleaning out my gym bag. The most I have is febreezed it and put some bounce sheets in it.
Good idea with the bounce sheets too!
Since I workout from home (for now) I typically don’t take the time to clean my gear but I TOTALLY should be!!!!
I work out mostly at home but do clean my gear probably not often enough though
I’ve never even thought about de-germing my gym gear, but you’re right that it’s something we all really need to do! I do have to clean my yoga mat often. It’s a yoga mat is a Jade natural rubber one, so it often collects pet hair, so I have to use a lint roller on it before I wipe it down. But everything else I need do! One additional thing to clean is my free weights.
Yes I use my free weights at home but I do wipe them down too!
I bring a plastic bag if I need to shower at the gym. My flipflops are wet, and I don’t want that in my gym bag. The plastic bag can be thrown out once the shoes are dry.
That’s a good idea too!
Ha ha… you definitely succeeded in grossing me out 🙂 I think I need to get to doing some cleaning today.
OH good! 🙂
Ok I’m grossed out now too. Guilty as charged here for not cleaning anything, except rinsing out and washing my swimsuit/workout gear. Ugh.
I know once I thought about it I was grossed out too!
I never clean my flip flops, garmin, etc… or my bag for that matter…. just my yoga mat intermittently….. I am now truly grossed out by myself!!!
LOL your welcome!
Sometimes you just gotta put the bag in the washing machine and everything else in the dishwasher. It ain’t just for dishes!
Now that’s an idea!
I just cleaned out my gym bag the other day – it was long overdue 😉
Find anything good in there?? LOL
SO many germs at the gym. I always try to wipe down everything, and all of my at home equiptment!
I know me too but I forget sometimes
Oh man, yeah, I totally need to give my stuff a good clean. Ew.
I know! When I thought about it I realized how gross it was
Oh my gosh I do not clean any of those things and now I feel gross!!!
LOl sorry!
i guess i need to get busy cleaning, huh? thanks for some great reminders!
Thanks! have a great weekend
You have totally grossed me out! I have no idea how to clean my Garmin!
LOL I would probably take a clorox wipe to it or a towel with some antibacterial soap. Sorry!
Great reminder to clean workout gear! I don’t go to the gym anymore, but those things are all things we need to look at to clean! Actually I really need to clean my garmin! Thanks!
Your welcome! Have a great day
This is such a great post. YES grossed out, but it doesn’t take much for me especially when it comes to germs. I always get grossed out at the thought of old shower shoes!
OH yes those are pretty gross!
Oh the people at the gym who don’t wipe the machines down. Don’t even get me started on them!
I know! Pretty gross huh
It’s still cold where I live, so I frequently have to clean my running headband and gloves, as they get sweaty quickly. Beyond that, I try to keep my running shoes clean – hard to avoid mud puddles sometimes when out and running! Finally, it’s SUPER important to clean your reusable water bottle and protein drink bottles. So easy to throw it in the gym bag and just refill the next day without washing it. I give mine a deep clean weekly and rinse it daily.
Ok so the re usable water bottles kind of gross me out bc some of them are not dishwasher safe. The germs!
on that note…i need to really deep clean my yoga mat.
Yes for sure!
Great tips, Deborah, when it comes to Spring Cleaning our Gym Bag is usually not on our list, but we should really pay more attention to it!:):)
Thanks I just started thinking about it for some reason!
I am soooo in need of a new yoga mat! What are your top 3 faves?
I have a great yoga mat from Lululemon and it’s been great for a few years now.
Yup…. I need to clean my yoga mat. Ick!
I know I always put it off!
To cut down on pool germs I always have a plastic bag where I keep my flip-flops and wet clothes so when they are used, don’t touch the inside of my bag.
My gym bag can be thrown into the washer… which I do not do enough
I need to keep my flip flops in their own bag-good idea!
I think I don’t clean my gymgear as often as I should… And I use the yoga mats at my gym, so I really hope they remember to clean them from time to time! 😉
Well…I wonder if they do! LOL
Good tips, I never though about the flip flops. And, is it weird to bring a tub of antibacterial wipes to the gym and start cleaning away?!
lol! I don’t clean my stuff at the gym but at home once a week.
I “spring clean” my home gym once a month. Between my husband and I that’s a whole lot of sweatyness. I clean my yoga mat weekly. I bet a lot of people don’t even think about this. They will now.
I know it’s easy to overlook isn’t it?!
If you fold the yoga mat in half before you roll it, the germy side doesn’t touch the clean side. It doesn’t roll as tightly, but it’s worth it to me. I’ve been known to shower in my watch LOL, so I figure it gets cleaned occasionally.
I guess the bonus of never going to a class is I don’t have a germy gym bag LOL.
Ha ha yes that would be a benefit. I never thought about folding my mat that way good idea
I’ve never thought about my bag being full of germs, but it probably is. Ew. Might be time for a new bag 🙂
Well it is a great excuse to get a new bag huh?!
EEK I haven’t cleaned out my gym bag in a loooong time. I need to asap!
LOL your welcome 🙂
Oh man, I definitely need to clean my gym bag and my running watch… Thanks for the reminder!
your welcome 🙂
I use VaporFresh spray for my gym bag and it works wonders. I didn’t think about that yoga mat thing though – yikes. Do you have suggestions for how to clean it?
I use a clorox wipe on mine followed by a wet paper towel then allow it to dry completely before rolling up.
I really do need to give my yoga mat a thorough cleaning. I cleaned out my gym bag recently too!
It can get kind of gross huh?!
When I have the time to go to the gym, I’d probably have the same gym bag content and clean it when needed. Right now, I do my workout at home due to my very busy schedule. It’s good that you shared this, though. Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by today!
I hate to admit it but I am the literal worst at cleaning out my race bags and gear haha. Oopsie!
Funny I picture you just the opposite!
I’m guilty on all charges EXCEPT for the sweaty clothes. Those I put in a disposable plastic bag as soon as I take them off so they don’t taint my gym bag. But I need to follow your lead and do that with my flip flops as well. Yikes!
I was just thinking today how gross the flip flops must be!
Eeeewwwwww, you totally made me gag with the flip flops LOL And, the yoga mat…I never thought of what rolls up inside of it from the floor.
I know! It’s scary isn’t it?
I wear my flip flops in the shower at the gym and I never clean them because I think the soap and water run down on them so I’m good…haha. I do put them in the outside pocket so nothing else touches them though!
Well okay if you say so!
Have I mentioned that I don’t like to clean? Anything? I am actually looking around for a new gym bag, mainly because mine is ripped. I really love it — found it at Marshalls a long time ago, so not really replaceable — it actually has an attached bag for shoes.
I don’t wear flip flops (never understood why people think they’re comfortable), but I do wear my slides into the shower, where I figure they’re getting some cleaning. And I rinse off the googles & the cap there, too. They have their own pocket, but not their own container.
I always figure our immune systems need a little challenge. 🙂
I hope you are right?
Thanks for the reminder! My first though is “ewwwww!” Though I usually use my Eagle Creek bag that I can toss into the washer. Cleaning my earbuds right now!
ha ha great idea!
Ok, I have to admit I haven’t cleaned any of these things in a while! It’s now on my to do list!!
I know! It’s easy to forget to do them
Yuck! Thanks for reminding me to clean my ear buds!! I’ll be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever washed mine :/
And my yoga mat is disgusting! I’m definitely in the market for a new one!
I am looking for a cute new yoga mat too! Let me know if you find anything different
LOL Yes…germs are everywhere! I so need a new “gym” bag…I carry weights and other equipment to my clients homes to train them and my current bag is starting to rip! Trying to find a bag that will carry dumbbells. I clean all my equipment that I take to my clients every day when I get home or sometimes in between clients. Sometimes it’s a pain but totally necessary! As far as my personal fitness watch and trekz headphones I clean them daily (or after every use)
wow that’s impressive!
Well I am absolutely disgusting because I don’t clean anything! You know what is probably the dirtiest thing in my gym gear? My lifting gloves. Think of all the crap that is on them!!
OH yes definitely!
I definitely don’t clean my gear as much as I should. Thanks for the reminder!
I don’t think anyone does!
I always take out my flip flops after I’ve been to a pool to dry them out. Then put them in a dry plastic bag in my gym bag. I clean my flip belt a lot too when I run as it can get super sweaty.
Oh yes the flip belt too!
Love this post, and definitely need to do a spring cleaning! Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks! So do I this weekend
I get so grossed out when I forget to clean my earbuds…It is seriously one of those workout gear pieces that need a cleaning more often than you think. Thanks for the reminder, because I am going to go clean mine now.
Oh good! Glad to be of help 🙂
It does kind of gross you out to think about, doesn’t it? We don’t really think about what is lurking in those things. Such a good reminder to clean those often forgot about items!
I am so vigilant about some things and it’s easy to forget others
Hmm… this is pretty gross. Lol! But great tips!
Yup it is pretty gross!
Yikes – I never thought about how germy it must be inside my bag.
I fold my yoga mat before rolling it up so the top surface stays clean: https://www.verywellfit.com/how-to-roll-pilates-and-yoga-mats-to-keep-them-clean-2704280
Thanks I will head over to check that out now!
Great ideas! I need to do a better job with cleaning my yoga mat. And speaking of spring cleaning, that’s what’s in store for me next week while on Spring Break from grad school.
I need to do some too have a long list over here!
I don’t go to the gym but you do remind me that I need to scrub my lunch box! I don’t even want to think about what’s growing in there…
oh yes! I clean my son’s each night w a clorox wipe
Im glad I don’t use most of these products because Im really bad about cleaning fitness gear! I should definitely clean my watch and headphones once in awhile.
Yes my watch gets super gross and sweaty for sure
Isn’t all so gross when you think about it? I’m not a germaphobe by any means, but I actually have big tubs of hospital-grade antiseptic wipes (that will kill even the worst of the superbugs), and wipe down several of these things you mentioned (plus my cell phone) on a fairly regular basis.
the cell phone is the dirtiest thing for sure! My husband makes fun of me for cleaning all my stuff
What a great post. I bet this is something that not a lot of people think about. But really need.
Yes definitely!
I am so guilty of not cleaning my gym gear often enough. Time for a good scrub down!
Sounds like it is!
Definitely an important PSA! I’ve been meaning to make a cleaner spray to use on my yoga mat!
P.S. I want that gym bag too! *-*
Maybe someone will gift it to both of us!
For my yoga mat, I fold it in half before rolling it up. It keeps the germs from the floor on the bottom. 🙂
Yes that definitely helps!
Yes yes yes! This post came just in right time. With coming of spring I pulled out all my gym gear. I was just thinking how to clean them all up.
Fantastic! Happy cleaning
Oh yeah. Gyms are germ FESTIVALS, no matter how much you clean your stuff! I’m not normally a germ-a-phobe, but as soon as I decided I was going to add yoga to my routine more regularly, I bought my own mat. The thought of putting my face on the gym mats in positions like “child’s pose”…yuck.
OH yes no that would not be good at all
Def sitting here trying not to puke!
I have thieves wipes in my bag that I used to clean things off with after my classes, but I probably should wash my gym bag once in a while too!
I know it’s scary to think about!
Anytime I travel I pack my running shoes in an Eagle Creek shoe bag, and then make sure that the bag also goes through the washing machine when I get home. So many gross and smelly germs everywhere from those shoes!
You’ve inspired me too clean my yoga mat more frequently. Since I wear my Garmin all the time, it does get gross. From time to time I take the band off and scrub it with a soft tooth brush.
My Garmin band is white and it gets really dirty!
Ummmmmm, I have never cleaned my ear buds. Time to put that on the to do list.
If you think about….kind of gross huh?
Whenever I read this sort of post my thought is you’re supposed to clean these things? Well, I know you are. But actually doing it?
I need new goggles & having a case for them sounds like an excellent idea!
Ha yes cleaning them is a good thing! I keep my goggles in the case bc it also keeps them from getting scratched up
So many great things to consider in this! I don’t think of the inside of a gym bag (probably because I don’t use one too often since most of my workouts are done at home). But, a lot of icky stuff gets stashed in said bag(s) after a race…and…enough said LOL And, those flip flops…public showers totally creep me out. I can’t imagine all the things living in them.
Yes it’s kind of gross when you think about all that can be there!
I have to admit that I don’t clean off my yoga mat as often as a I should since I use it for a lot of my core and strength training exercises. Thanks for the reminder!
You got it! Happy cleaning 🙂
I don’t often clean my earbuds! Ewwww! But I don’t have a gym bag, so that’s good. Great reminder to clean our stuff!
I know I guess it can get really germy
I actually don’t keep a gym bag! I rarely go to the traditional gym, and when I go to OCR workouts I just pack my workout clothes with me the day of. I do make sure to clean my Garmin off periodically with soap and water, as well as rinsing it off after each run. Especially in summer in the South!
Yes the sunscreen and sweat really get into the band of the Garmin
I don’t have an at home gym. But I do wash my roosport every week so I feel pretty good about that 🙂
Well that’s good!
These are great reminders!
I always use a laundry bag to throw my nasty stuff in.
I also wash my bags from time to time!
One thing I need to be better about is cleaning the weights off that I use when I am teaching!
Yes I try to clean off the weights too even if they are just my own.
YASSS to the shoes in a separate bag! I pack my luggage that way too. It totally grosses me out! Great tips. Hope you are well.
I know if you think about the shoes it’s pretty gross!
Uh oh.
Thanks for the reminder.
I’m not much into cleaning.
Such a great post. Thank you so much for sharing. All the best!