If you love to exercise, working out at home is convenient and saves time. Whether you’re trying to save commute time or extra money on a gym membership, an effective home gym can be the perfect solution.
But how do you get rid of that home gym smell? Our top tips will keep your gym smelling fresh while you keep on exercising.
What Causes Home Gyms to Smell?
If your home gym smells, it’s not just the sweat! The odor comes from a combination of body odor, sweat, and other materials. As you exercise, the body produces sweat that will dry as it evaporates from the skin. This natural process can leave behind an unpleasant odor.
In addition to sweat and body odor, the machines themselves can start to smell over time if they aren’t cleaned regularly. Even if you don’t notice any visible stains or dirt on your machine, bacteria can still live on its surface.
Clean Gym Equipment After Every Workout
As we all may have experienced before, keeping up with cleaning is necessary for a home gym. Skip a few wipe downs and you’re dealing with a less than pleasant smell, as well as some bacteria and other nasty things lurking in the corners.
- Wipe down machines after use. Do this every time you use them, whether you’re done working out or not. This will keep sweat from building up on the machine.
- Use a disinfectant spray on surfaces that get touched often (like handles on dumbbells). This will help prevent germs from spreading.
- Give equipment a good wipe-down after every use.
- Keep towels nearby so people can wipe off sweat while working out, preventing droplets from flying around and landing on equipment.
- Clean every week and carry out a deep clean once a month.
Use a Space That has Good Air Circulation and Ventilation
There are a few reasons why you might want to invest in a good ventilation system for your home gym. For starters, it will help you stay healthy. It reduces indoor air pollution by removing harmful gasses and particles from the air and helps reduce the smell. Also, a working out in a well ventilated area is just better in general for you.
Don’t forget to crack open a window or two if you can. Having fresh air circulate through your home, and into your lungs, has great health benefits.
Use an All-Natural Air Freshener
Air fresheners are a staple in most home gyms, but many people don’t realize just how many chemicals are actually in those bottles.
Essential oils work well because they’re made from plants and other natural ingredients. They’re also easy to use — you only need a suitable diffuser which you can find online.
Remember to Clean Your Towels
Cleaning your gym towels is an important part of keeping your gym smelling nice. Dirty towels can carry bacteria and germs that can make you sick. These germs can also cause your towel to smell bad. The best way to clean your gym towels is by washing them with regular detergent in the washing machine.
Consider a Dehumidifier and an Air Purifier
Dehumidifiers and air purifiers are a must-have for any home gym, especially if you live in a humid climate or have moisture in the area where your equipment is stored.
An air purifier helps keep allergens and other pollutants out of the air, so you aren’t exposed to them when exercising. This can help prevent respiratory problems such as asthma attacks or congestion.
Check for Mold
Mold is a fungus that can live in almost any corner of your home. It loves warm, humid environments and can grow on nearly all surfaces.
You don’t want to breathe in mold spores during your workout. It’s important to carry out regular checks and if you see mold, and then treat it as soon as possible.
Book an HVAC Tune-Up
Keep your gym’s ventilation in working order. An HVAC tune-up can help improve the lifespan and efficiency of your HVAC system. In addition, it’ll reduce wear and tear on other parts of your home, such as fans, air filters, and any ductwork in the home.
Schedule regular HVAC tune-ups with the professionals at ASI. Our experts are ready to help you with all of your HVAC needs.