When choosing disinfectant wipes for your gym, there are a few things to consider. These include quality, safety, and sustainability.
Wipes are often marketed as “cleaning,” “sanitizing,” or even just a “disinfectant.” What do all these terms mean?
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Effectiveness
Gym disinfecting wipes are an essential part of a gym’s cleaning routine. They’re easy to use and provide an effective way to keep equipment clean while still ensuring client satisfaction and safety.
While most disinfectants need a dwell time before they’re practical, gym wipes can eliminate germs in seconds. They also dry quickly to ensure equipment remains safe, which helps reduce downtime and maintenance costs.
Another advantage of using gym wipes is that they’re gentle enough for the surfaces of equipment and are designed to be used by all fitness enthusiasts, regardless of their physical ability. This makes them an excellent option for any fitness facility, whether a private studio or a large commercial facility.
Moreover, wiping down equipment before and after use is essential in maintaining a healthy environment for clients and employees. This also prevents the spreading of bacteria and other harmful organisms that can cause severe illness and even life-threatening conditions.
A study of a school gym found that staph was the most common type of germ on the surface of equipment, and a lack of hygiene can result in MRSA and other dangerous infections. As a result, hygiene and safety should be paramount in every fitness facility.
Safety
Gym equipment is a magnet for bacteria and grime as one person after another uses it, and it’s easy to see why. The warm and moist environment makes it an ideal place for germs to grow and thrive, so gyms buy sanitizing wipes to sanitize equipment several times a day.
Choosing the best disinfecting wipes for your facility is important because these products can kill and prevent harmful germs from spreading to other members. They can also protect your facility and staff from HAIs and help you maintain a clean and healthy environment for your customers.
The quality of a disinfecting wipe should be determined by how long it takes to kill the microbes on the surface, called a “dwell time.” Some spray disinfectants have longer dwell times than others, so read the label carefully.
Disinfectant wipes should be used on surfaces in your facility that people touch most frequently, such as doorknobs, light switches, and remotes. You can also use them on equipment like treadmills, barbells, and other machines that receive a lot of wear and tear.
A quality disinfecting wipe should be FDA Approved, and it should be free from alcohol. Alcohol wipes often leave residue on surfaces that can irritate skin or cause dryness and cracking. Instead, look for sanitizing wipes that contain an active ingredient known as benzalkonium chloride.
Eco-Friendliness
Gym disinfectant wipes can be made from various materials, some considered eco-friendly. For example, many gym owners choose to use natural disinfectant wipes, which are biodegradable. These cleaning products are also free of harsh chemicals, making them safer for members and staff to touch.
Using environmentally-friendly products can also help your business attract and retain customers.
For example, the most environmentally-friendly disinfectant wipes contain citric acid instead of quaternary ammonium compounds. An eco-friendly disinfectant wipe is one of the easiest ways to save money and energy and reduce your facility’s carbon footprint.
Another great way to be more eco-friendly is to choose recyclable or compostable products. These are usually more expensive than other options, but they can significantly save in the long run.
To save money on supplies, consider ordering natural disinfectant wipes in bulk. This will ensure you have a good supply of these wipes available to your members and staff.
A clean and safe environment is crucial for any gym or health club. Providing antibacterial and biodegradable wipes to your members and staff and non-obtrusive dispensers is an excellent way to ensure you’re looking after your clients.
Reusability
Disinfectant wipes are a gym owner’s “knight in shining armor.” They keep equipment free of harmful germs and bacteria with just a few applications. However, most disinfectant wipes contain rubbing alcohol (or isopropyl), bleach, or phenol, which can dry out hands after repeated use.
If you’re looking for a disinfectant wipe that will withstand repeated use, choose one with benzalkonium chloride as the star ingredient. It also has antibacterial properties, killing off germs on contact and completely evaporating once it dries. It’s an excellent choice for cleaning surfaces like workout mats, weight benches, dumbbell racks, and high-traffic areas, such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers.
To ensure that your disinfectant wipes are effective, train your staff on how to use them. Ensure they know how long the solution should stay on a surface before being wiped off. This is called the dwell time.
It’s essential to have sanitizing supplies nearby for all forms of equipment so that members can always wipe down their equipment between circuit stations. This will create a clean, healthy, and safe environment for your members to exercise in. And it’s the best way to keep your members and facility safe from viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
