How often to clean your home gym equipment
Given the amount of sweat that’s produced in your home gym, cleaning workout equipment is essential — even if you’re the only one using it. Between sweat, body oils, dust, dirt, hair, and grime, yoga mats, weights, and treadmills can get pretty filthy. Regular cleaning is important — not just for your own personal hygiene, but for the correct functioning and maximum lifespan of the equipment.
Yoga mat
How often to clean it: Disinfect after each use, and deep clean once every two weeks.
If you use the mat frequently and for intense workouts that involve a lot of sweat, you should be cleaning your mat after every use. You can purchase a cleaning spray specifically designed for cleaning yoga mats, or simply wipe down the mat with soapy water. Depending on how often you use the mat, deep clean it every couple of weeks with a solution of equal parts water and distilled white vinegar and a couple of drops of your favorite essential oils.
Treadmill
How often to clean it: Vacuum around and clean it weekly.
Use a microfiber cloth dampened with a mild disinfectant cleaner to wipe down your treadmill after every use. Make sure you wipe down every area of the treadmill, including the handles, screen, belt, and cupholders. And since a treadmill is similar to a piece of furniture, make sure to vacuum around and underneath it once a week to prevent dust buildup.
Stationary bike
How often to clean it: Deep clean and check parts once a month.
Wipe down a stationary bike after every workout session using a microfiber cloth and either a mild disinfectant or some warm, soapy water. Make sure to wipe every surface, including the handles, screen, seat, and cupholders. Once a month, inspect the bike to make sure there aren’t any loose screws, that the seat and pedals are securely in place.
Elliptical machine
How often to clean it: Dust and vacuum once a week, and check the parts once a month.
Remove sweat and dirt from your elliptical machine after every use with a soft microfiber cloth dampened with either warm soapy water or a mild disinfectant. Wipe down every high-touch area, such as the handlebars and screen. Once a week, dust the machine and vacuum around and underneath it. Once a month, check that all the hardware is tightened, all the moving parts run smoothly, and there are no loose screws.
Weights and dumbbells
How often to clean it: Clean and disinfect after each use.
Given the high-touch nature of weights and dumbbells, they should be cleaned after every use to remove oils, sweat, and dirt. Take a soft microfiber cloth and dampen it with a mild disinfectant spray, then wipe down all sides of the weights or dumbbells, including any nooks and crevices.
Small equipment (jump ropes, exercise bands, yoga blocks)
How often to clean it: Disinfect items after each use, or whenever they get sweaty.
Small gym accessories such as jump ropes, exercise bands, and yoga blocks need regular cleaning too. They are high-touch items that get covered in sweat and body oils, so it’s important to give them a thorough clean after every workout session. Wipe them down with a microfiber cloth dampened with a mild disinfectant or warm soapy water.
(Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at www.bhg.com.)
©2026 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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