Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment in gyms and fitness centers is crucial for the health and safety of both patrons and staff. With high-touch surfaces and shared equipment, these facilities can become breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses if not properly sanitized. Studies have found that free weights can have as many as 362 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Implementing effective wiping products and protocols is essential to minimize the risk of infections and promote a pleasant workout experience.

Types of Gym Wiping Products

Selecting the appropriate wiping products is essential for effective cleaning and maintenance of gym equipment. Here are some common types of wiping products used in fitness facilities:

  1. Disinfecting Wipes: High-touch points in cardio areas and weightlifting equipment such as machine handles, dumbbells, squat rack bars, pads, benches, and mats should be wiped regularly. Experts recommend using EPA-approved disinfectant wipes and ensuring that surfaces remain wet for a few minutes to ensure effectiveness. Bro-Tex’s Fresh Start® Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria in just 15 seconds. The wipes can be used on various surfaces, including gym equipment, door handles, and countertops. Bro-Tex offers both diamond pattern and standard material for Fresh Start FX wipes.
  2. Cotton Gym and Spa Towels: Soft, absorbent towels made of 100% cotton are perfect for locker rooms, steam rooms, and showers. Bro-Tex has cotton towels available in white, colored, or striped towels. Colored stripes can help reduce theft or loss.
  3. Microfiber Towels: Perfect for cleaning mirrors, glass, screens, and lobbies. Rhino Rags Ultra-fine Microfiber towels trap grime, viruses, and bacteria using only water. This reduces the need for chemical cleaners which can cause irritation and headaches. Rhino Rags are lint-free, making them ideal for tasks where lint residue and streaks are undesirable, such as polishing surfaces or cleaning glass and mirrors. The towels can be laundered a hundred times if you avoid hot water, hot dryers and bleach that can affect the fibers. Bro-Tex also has traditional microfiber in a variety of shapes and sizes.
  4. Microfiber Mops: Microfiber mops reduce bacteria by 99% while conventional cotton mops only reduce bacteria by 33%. Choose from loop wet pads, scrub pads, or tube mops to optimize your cleaning needs. Bro-Tex also sells telescopic poles for easier dusting in hard-to-reach areas.
  5. Disposable Towels: Bro-Tex offers disposable bath towels for pools and other areas that will have one-time usage. These are absorbent white towels in flat packs or on a roll.

Proper Usage of Disinfecting Gym Wet Wipes

To maximize the effectiveness of disinfecting or sanitizing  wipes, it’s essential to use them correctly.

  • Pre-Cleaning: Remove any visible dirt or debris from the equipment surface before applying the wipe.
  • Wiping Technique: Use a fresh wipe to thoroughly cover the surface, ensuring that it remains visibly wet for a few minutes.
  • Drying Time: Allow the surface to air dry completely to ensure that the disinfectant has adequate time to work effectively. Disinfectants only work to kill germs when the surface stays wet so they need to be re-applied until the kill time (also called contact time or dwell time) on the label is reached.  Our Fresh Start FX and Fresh Start Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria in only 15 seconds so that is a short contact time.
  • Hand Hygiene: Encourage users to sanitize their hands before and after using equipment to minimize the transfer of germs.

Why Wet Wipes instead of Sprays and a Dry Wipe

Some people prefer a spray disinfectant and a dry wipe. If cloths and sprays are used, it can result in uneven coverage and therefore reduce the effectiveness of the product. In addition, many people wipe the surface immediately after spraying, which does not leave the surface wet for the required contact time to kill germs. The spray bottles themselves can become a germ collection site with everyone touching the same triggers which spreads more germs around the gym. Many sprays can results in volatile organic compounds (VOC) which can bother people who breathe in the chemicals sprayed.

Managing a clean and hygienic gym environment is paramount for the well-being of patrons and the longevity of equipment. By implementing proper cleaning protocols, fitness centers can significantly reduce the risk of infections and create a safe, welcoming space for all users.

Feel free to contact us directly for more wiping products for your business.
1-800-328-2282 | Info@brotex.com