How to Clean and Look After Your Total Gym

It’s an amazing feeling to sweat during a tough workout… but no one wants to work out on someone else’s sweaty mess, even if it’s your own puddle at home!

It’s in your best interest to take care of your home fitness equipment by cleaning it properly and often so that it remains in excellent working condition. A good practice is to keep the equipment clean after every use, and regularly even if it’s not used (i.e. sitting in a corner collecting dust). Dried up sweat actually corrodes metal and breaks down the vinyl and foam padding on most exercise machines. Can you say gross?

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR TOTAL GYM MACHINE

There are many ways to effectively and efficiently clean your Total Gym equipment. It is important to understand the products that are best and how to use them correctly so that you don’t damage the equipment or use the wrong solution!

When selecting a product to clean with, your health and safety comes first. It is also important to use a material-safe solution that won’t dry the chemicals into the equipment because this can lead to premature wear, damage, and cracking of vinyl and plastic parts.

Most cleaning agents on the market today contain a solution with quaternary ammonium compounds. Basically, this is what is used to kill germs. However, it is not the only way to kill germs and harmful bacteria, especially in your home workout space.

AVOID UNSAFE OR INEFFECTIVE CLEANERS

When choosing the right method of cleaning, be cautious of store bought products such as wipes, sprays, or bleach, especially if the product requires you to wear gloves.

Wipes

It’s convenient to pull out a wipe and start ‘wiping down’ the equipment, but it may contain harsh chemicals for you and your equipment, plus it’s very wasteful.

Spray cleansers

Depending on the germ-killing disinfectant agent spray you use, it could be toxic to your skin and harden or damage the equipment over time.  If you over spray, it can seep into the fabric, create a ‘sticky’ feeling once dried, and if you have a Power Tower TG, it could ruin the electronic panels! Not good.

Bleach

This is a strong disinfectant and does kill germs, however, it can be unsafe if not prepared or used properly. It also is dangerous to your skin, toxic if inhaled, and can ruin clothes.

Borax solution

This is a more natural cleaner, but it doesn’t disinfect or kill the germs.

Baking soda

Again, a more natural form of a cleaner, but it does not disinfect or kill germs.  Also leaves a gritty paste mess that will need rinsed off.

7 NATURAL DYI CLEANINGRECIPES

There are many ways to sanitize and clean in a ‘green’ way.  I am all about keeping things clean and doing it in the best, healthiest, non-toxic way possible.  Here are some simple DYI methods you can go about cleaning your Total Gym equipment without having to worry about hurting your health or your machine.

1. Vinegar and Water Spray (Disinfectant)

Vinegar is an all-natural way to clean and sanitize your equipment. It helps kill any bacteria that are feeding off your sweat and also helps tackle stains. To enhance the germ-killing powers and the scent, add a few drops of an essential oil (ie: lemon, orange). You may even feel more alert when you breathe it in!  This spray mix is not only good for cleaning sweat marks off the equipment, but also it’s good for cleaning the chrome and metal parts of the Total Gym.

• Mix a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar in a trigger spray bottle
• Add a few drops of essential oils (lemon, orange, or lavender work well)
• Spray the solution directly on the TG, a rag, or paper towel
• Wipe the machine thoroughly to prevent corrosion
• Keep the spray bottle on hand to clean after use

This is a multi-purpose cleaner that you can use to clean just about anything safely! This is a winner.

2. Vinegar & Dish Soap Spray (Disinfectant)

Combining vinegar and dish soap is similar to the above mix and provides the same benefits. This mix is great to wipe off dumbbells, kettle bells, yoga mats, and stability balls since it won’t break down the neoprene coatings like industrialized disinfectants. It’s super easy to make, cost effective, and is safe for you and your equipment.

• Mix 1 cup of dish soap to 2 cups of white vinegar in a spray bottle
• Any type of dish soap works
• Use a scented soap for a refreshing smell

3. All-Purpose Antibacterial Cleaner

Prep:

• Peel 1 large grapefruit and place it in a glass jar with 2 cups of white vinegar. Cover and let sit in a dark room for 1 week.

Mix:

• After 1 week, strain the vinegar and transfer to a spray bottle.
• Fill the rest of the bottle with water and grapefruit seed extract or 6 drops tea tree oil.
• Shake well to mix, spray on an area, and wipe off.

4. Disinfectant Wipes with Essential Oil

• Combine: 3 tsps natural liquid soap, 50-65 drops of essential oil (choose your scent: tea tree, lavender, peppermint, or orange oil), and 3 cups vinegar into a glass container. Shake well.
• Place a cloth square into the jar to soak up the solution and squeeze the excess (repeat this process to clean with the solution)
• Save the left over mixture for the next cleaning
• Wash used cloths

5. Mat Spray

Mats are breeding grounds for bacteria. Combining a mixture containing tea tree oil will have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that kill the germs.

• Fill a spray bottle with distilled or spring water.
• Add 1-2 drops of tea tree & lavender essential oil
• Spray on mats, bags, and shoes
• Wipe off and let dry

6. Natural Air Freshener

• Combine all ingredients into a spray bottle: 2 Tbsp Vodka, 2 Tbsp baking soda, 20 drops Eucalyptus oil, 8 drops peppermint oil, 1 cup of filtered water
• Shake bottle to mix
• Spray to neutralize any odor & allow it to dry

7. Dust & Vacuum