You began with building your home gym. Dumbbells are essential equipment for any home gym. With your new routine and setup for training, weekly maintenance of your equipment should now be a part of it. Maintaining clean equipment is the easiest way to extend its lifespan.
Rubber and metal, two materials that are frequently used in gym equipment, can become rusted by the harsh chemicals and alcohol in hand sanitizer. The ideal option is specialized gym cleaning wipes, although water, mild dish soap, and clean cloth are also great alternatives.
Quick Summary
- There are other steps to maintain the quality of your rubber dumbbells and weight plates in addition to routine cleaning.
- It is recommended to clean your dumbbells after your workout.
- Cleaning it at least once a week should be the minimum requirement.
- Learn how to properly clean and maintain rubber dumbbells and weight plates if you want them to last.
How to Clean Rubber Dumbbells: Step-By-Step Guide
Cleaning rubber dumbbells should not take you much time compared to the rest of the dumbbell types. Here is a step-by-step guide for cleaning dumbbells to make it as time efficient as possible:
- Fill a bucket with a gallon of water.
- Add a few drops of your gentle dish soap to the bucket’s water.
- To soak a clean towel, dip it into the soapy liquid in the bucket.
- Your fabric is now wet; rinse it out. It should not be fully submerged in the water.
- Clean your rubber dumbbells and weight plates with a damp towel. To ensure it is fully clean, carefully wipe down the whole surface.
- It is unnecessary to dry your rubber equipment, but I urge you to gently wipe out any remaining moisture on your dumbbells with a different clean, dry cloth.
- Let them dry in direct sunlight if you wish to dry them without using a clean towel.
Keep reading below to learn about necessary materials, disinfection, and more.
1. Pick Appropriate Cleaning Material
Picking appropriate cleaning materials is crucial so that these materials do not damage the dumbbells. A cleaning solution without harsh chemicals like alcohol, phenols, bleach, and ammonia is what you need. Your dumbbells will appear faded because of the dampening effect these cleaners have on their surface. Here are some necessary materials to make cleaning easier:
- Mask
- Mild Soap Solution
- Lint Free Cloth
- Disposable Gloves
- Eye Protection
- EPA Approved Cleaning Solution
- Nylon Bristle Brush
All of the above materials are necessary to clean your rubber dumbbells successfully.
2. Remove Chalk From the Handle
You can remove chalk from the handle by creating a mild soap solution by combining a few drops of soap with warm water. Since chalk may contain moisture and bacteria, you must remove it before disinfection.
Scrub any excess chalk from the handle (or any other area of the dumbbell that may have accumulated chalk) using your nylon bristle brush and soap. Next, use a moist cloth to remove the soap. Lastly, use a dry cloth to dry the dumbbell.
3. Disinfect
Use the proper protective glasses, mask, and gloves. Wipe down the entire dumbbell with your disinfecting solution and a clean towel. Check your specific disinfection instructions for the precise amount of time to let the disinfectant sit on the dumbbell before wiping any excess with a clean cotton cloth.
After thoroughly cleaning your dumbbells, make sure to dry them off. Avoid letting them air dry because damp dumbbells are more likely to rust. This is especially true of iron dumbbells.
How to Clean Rubber Residue Left on Rubber Dumbbells and Weight Plates?
You can clean rubber residue left on rubber dumbbells and weight plates by using 70 % alcohol and a towel. Keep in mind that you should not use this cleaning technique excessively.
You should only do it if you have no other choice. Alcohol can cause rubber products to swell and harden if used repeatedly and for an extended period.
You only need a clean towel and 70% isopropyl alcohol. This will take between five and ten minutes to finish. Unless you already have these supplies in your home, which many of you will, the cost is less than $20.
Here is the quick cleaning guide:
- Place your weight plates or rubber dumbbells on a spotless area.
- Apply isopropyl alcohol to your exercise equipment.
- Rub off any sticky residue with a clean cloth. Just be careful not to rub it off too vigorously to protect the rubber.
- After washing the rubber gym equipment in water, dry it with a different, clean cloth.
Remember that you should not use this cleaning technique too often. Only do it when it is necessary.
Tips to Get Rid of Strong Rubber Odor From Your Rubber Gym Equipment
When new, most rubber exercise equipment will have a bad smell that will eventually disappear. Here are 3 options to help you get rid of the scent more quickly.
Increase Ventilation
You can improve the ventilation in the room where you store your weight plates and rubber dumbbells. This study [1] suggests that increasing airflow in a space can improve odor removal.
There are numerous techniques to improve ventilation. You could open the windows or use fans to circulate the air.
Use Direct Sunlight
You can assist in getting rid of the scent by placing your rubber weight plates and dumbbells in direct sunshine.
The rubber might get harmed if you do this for more than an hour, so you should never do it for so long.
Soapy Water
To eliminate the smell, you can clean your rubber dumbbells and weight plates using the cleaning technique described in the step-by-step guide above.
How to Maintain Your Rubber Dumbbells and Weight Plates?
You can maintain your rubber dumbbells and weight plates by storing them correctly, using the proper cleaning chemicals, and much more.
In addition to frequently cleaning your rubber dumbbells and weight plates, there are other things you can do to keep them in good condition.
You might not know the labor required to keep exercise equipment in good shape if you are new to owning it. A dependable piece of exercise gear, dumbbells can start to deteriorate if you don’t take care of them. You can take care of your dumbbell set by following these 5 pieces of advice.
1. Keep Them Out of Direct Sunlight
Dumbbells should be stored correctly and out of direct sunlight while not in use.
According to this study [2], rubber is harmed by regular sun exposure, which renders it brittle and fragile.
To prevent UV light damage, keep your rubber equipment covered or indoors.
2. Avoid Harsh Chemicals and Products
Your rubber gym equipment can sustain substantial damage from the majority of strong chemicals and cleaning solutions, especially those that contain bleach or acids like acetic acid.
For this reason, I cautioned against frequently using alcohol to remove sticky residue because it could damage rubber dumbbells and weight plates.
Use softer cleaning agents instead, such as water and mild dish soap.
3. Be Gentle
It would help if you took precautions when using your weight plates or dumbbells, even though they may be described as sturdy and heavy.
You should really not knock them against each other or toss them to the ground. You will harm the rubber surface if you do that.
4. Keep Them Away From Sharp Objects
The rubber surface could become damaged if you store your rubber dumbbells or weight plates with sharp things. To preserve the rubber surface’s perfect condition, ensure you keep them away from sharp objects like scissors, tools, etc.
5. Keep Them Away From Water
Although most rubber dumbbells and weight plates will claim to be weatherproof and water-resistant, this does not mean you should keep them soaking in water all day.
Long-term exposure to water for rubber equipment can cause mold, mildew, odors, and a host of other issues. Additionally, if your equipment contains any metal components, rusting may result.
FAQs
Why Are My Dumbbells Greasy?
Your dumbbells may be greasy because new ones arrive with protective oil because of transport and protection. It is recommended to clear off this before using it because it is usual. A dry rag is the best tool for oil removal.
How Do You Make Rubber Dumbbells Shine?
You can make rubber dumbbells shine by combining a small amount of liquid dish detergent with water and wiping the rubber with a towel immersed in the mixture. Rubber dumbbells that you use indoors should be regularly cleaned with a wet cloth.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dumbbells?
You should clean your dumbbells after finishing the session. The minimal requirement should be to clean it at least once a week.
What Dumbbells Require the Least Effort to Maintain?
There is no exact formula to say which dumbbell is easiest to maintain. It is not difficult to clean them; you need to do it frequently.
If you want your rubber dumbbells and weight plates to last, it’s a good idea to learn how to properly clean and maintain them by using soapy water, keeping them out of the sun, and storing them appropriately.
They get rusty and filthy if you leave them wet or soaking in water. If you treat them right, they will last you a very long time.
References:
- https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/6500/index.htm
- https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/structcivil/53A/0/53A_0_696/_pdf
