Cleaning & Disinfecting

Cleaning and disinfecting for gyms

Today’s gym members are looking for high-tech equipment to help them meet their fitness goals. They are looking for TVs, Bluetooth, wi-fi and the latest strength-training and cardio solutions. But more important than the equipment is the cleanliness. As fitness facilities reopened after the pandemic, gym-goers began to understand the need for clean equipment that will keep them safe and healthy. And fitness centers began to understand the need to uphold a high level of cleanliness in their facilities. 

Gym owners are now buying equipment cleaner and other cleaning and disinfecting supplies in bulk, but that is only half the battle. Knowing what to clean, when to clean it, and how to properly clean it to effectively kill pathogens is just as important as knowing what supplies to use. Let’s take a look at the most effective way to clean your gym. 

What is the difference between cleaning & disinfecting?

The idea of cleaning seems simple enough. Wipe down the equipment with a rag and move on. But the reality is that gyms harbor bacteria, fungi and viruses, like MRSA, that can make patrons ill and gym owners cringe. This makes understanding the processes of cleaning and disinfecting more important than ever. Following this 2-step process can keep your gym free of harmful pathogens.

  • Cleaning. Wipe down equipment, free weights, doorknobs, counters and other surfaces with a non-irritating cleaner. This removes the surface dirt and grime from the object. Let it air dry before moving on to the next step. 
  • Disinfect. A thorough disinfecting job should be done to keep your equipment free from harmful bacteria such as MRSA and E.coli, as well as fungi and viruses. Apply a disinfectant and let it sit for the allotted time noted by the manufacturer on the directions. Wipe off the disinfectant and let the surface air dry once again. This process removes 99.9% of the pathogens in your gym.

It’s a two-step process for a simple reason – you can’t disinfect a dirty surface! Following a cleaning process regularly will keep your fitness facility relatively germ-free and keep your patrons healthy.

Is It Better to Disinfect or Sanitize Gym Equipment?

Simply put, sanitizing reduces the number of germs and viruses on a surface to an acceptable level while disinfecting kills 99.9% of all germs, bacteria and viruses. Sanitizing is a good option for gyms to use on equipment between members, but there is no better solution than thorough disinfecting. Gym equipment and locker rooms come in contact with bodily fluids, such as sweat and sometimes blood, and these fluids need to be cleaned up properly to ensure the safety and health of your gym-goers. No one wants to go to the gym and leave with a Staph infection, and some of these harmful bacteria are not killed by sanitizing alone.

Establish your cleaning plan

Creating a cleaning schedule and training your employees on the proper way to clean can eliminate headaches for gym managers and owners. These simple steps can help you outline your cleaning plan in no time and have you on track to a clean and safe facility. 

  • Outline all the objects that need to be cleaned, from the equipment to the locker room to the office. 
  • Determine how often each area and the various surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected, based on the usage. 
  • Decide which cleaning supplies need to be used for each task.
  • Assign someone to each task and hold them accountable for performing it properly and at the appropriate frequency. 
  • Train your employees so they can perform consistent cleaning and disinfection.

Be sure to have the right products available for your staff so they can stick to your cleaning schedule.

Choose the non-irritating cleaning supplies for your gym equipment

Choosing the right cleaning supplies is important. You run a health facility, and people come to you to stay healthy. Use non-toxic cleaning and disinfecting products when possible. Products that use hypochlorous acid, created by electrolysis, are perfect for this. The electrochemically activated solutions are highly effective for cleaning and disinfecting yet are not irritating to the skin or eyes. Products like the Pathopure & Pathonex combo from PathoSans are the perfect combination to clean and disinfect while being non-irritating and free from toxic chemicals.

Keeping your health club members safe from illness should be a gym’s top priority. One of the best ways to do that is with a proper cleaning schedule and the right cleaning and disinfecting solutions. Looking for ways to use natural chemicals to clean and disinfect is also something many members are looking for today. Electrochemically activated solutions have become more popular as a cleaning and disinfecting solution for gyms. For more information on how to use this process to help keep your gym safe and clean, contact PathoSans today.