The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining Your Gym Equipment

The gym is there to take care of your body—and mind. So, make sure you take care of your gym, too. Use this quick guide to exercise equipment maintenance to learn how to clean gym equipment by material, keep it looking new, and make it last.

Here’s a quick guide for how to take care of your gym equipment based on its material.

SOFT GOODS, RUBBER/URETHANE, BENCH PADS, CHROME, ZINC, POWDER COAT

What you need:  

• 3 rags 
• Alcohol-free, mild dish soap solution, or a non-abrasive gym equipment cleaner
• Nylon-bristled brush 
• Bowl of clean water

CLEANING TECHNIQUES

1. Wipe down the surface with a rag soaked in an alcohol-free, mild dish soap solution, or a gentle gym equipment cleaner.

2. Knurled items only: Scrub using a nylon-bristled brush while the soap solution is on the item.

3. Wipe down the surface with a new rag of just water. Rinse out the rag, and repeat 1–2 more times to make sure no excess soap is left.

4. Wipe down the surface with a new, dry rag, making sure no excess moisture is left.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• Cleangrip Standard Bench Pads and Cleangrip Wide Bench Pads: grippy, easy-to-wipe surfaces
• Rubber Floor Tiles or 4x6 Floor Mats: protect flooring and simplify cleanup
• Exercise Mat: quick to disinfect and dry

 MAINTENANCE FREQUENCY

• After sweaty sessions, wipe immediately. For routine gym maintenance, deep clean weekly.

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

• Don’t use bleach or harsh solvents—they can degrade coatings and pad materials.
• Don’t soak pads; standing water can seep into seams.
• Don’t use abrasive brushes on coated metal or pads.

BARE STEEL

WHAT YOU NEED: 

• 5 rags 
• Alcohol-free, mild dish soap solution 
• Bowl of clean water 
• 3-in-1 oil 

CLEANING TECHNIQUES

1. Wipe down the surface with a rag soaked in an alcohol-free, mild dish soap solution.

2. Wipe down the surface with a new rag of just water. Rinse out the rag, and repeat 1–2 more times to make sure no excess soap is left.

3. Wipe down the surface with a new, dry rag, making sure no excess moisture is left.

4. Wipe down the surface with a new rag dipped in 3-in-1 oil to coat the entire surface—just enough to see the oil on the bar.

5. Before next usage, wipe down with a new, dry rag to leave as minimal residual oil as possible.

MAINTENANCE FREQUENCY

• Light oil monthly, or more often in humid environments. This is foundational exercise equipment maintenance.

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

• Don’t leave moisture on the knurl—it accelerates rust.
• Don’t over-oil; excess oil attracts dust.
• Don’t use wire wheels or harsh chemicals; they can damage steel.

For deeper barbell care tips, see how to care for your barbell and our barbell maintenance guide:

• How to care for your barbell
• Barbell maintenance guide

Proper bare-steel care is core to smart gym maintenance—especially in garages or basements.

STAINLESS STEEL

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 5 rags 
• Stainless-steel cleaner 
• Nylon-bristled brush 
• Bowl of water 
• 3-in-1 oil 

CLEANING TECHNIQUES

1. Wipe down the surface with a rag soaked in a stainless-steel cleaner.

2. Knurled items only: Scrub using a nylon-bristled brush while the stainless-steel cleaner is on the item.

3. Wipe down the surface with a new rag of just water. Rinse out the rag, and repeat 1–2 more times to make sure no excess cleaner is left.

4. Wipe down the surface with a new, dry rag, making sure no excess moisture is left.

5. Wipe down the surface with a new rag and 3-in-1 oil to coat the entire surface—just enough to see the oil on the bar.

6. Before next usage, wipe down with a new, dry rag to leave as minimal residual oil as possible.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• Barbell Hanger or 9-Bar Storage: keep bars off damp floors and away from chemical exposure
• Wall-Mounted Plate Storage: reduce bar contact, nicks, and corrosion risk

If you’re wondering how to clean gym equipment made of stainless steel, prioritize a dedicated stainless cleaner and light oiling for the knurl. When needed, a non-abrasive gym equipment cleaner works, too—just avoid harsh solvents.

RECOMMENDED GYM EQUIPMENT: ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR EQUIPMENT CARE

Boost longevity with protective storage and flooring:

• 9-Bar Storage
• Barbell Hanger
• Wall-Mounted Plate Storage
• Rubber Floor Tiles
• 4x6 Floor Mats
• Drop Pads
• Victory 2-Tier Dumbbell Rack
• Modular Storage System

TAKDE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Don’t just keep your equipment so fresh and so clean-clean. Here’s how to keep your gym organized:

• Keep your home gym organized

For more on gym maintenance, how to clean gym equipment flooring, and long-term care, check out:

• How to clean your rubber gym floor mats and tiles
• Home gym equipment maintenance
• The floor is yours: let’s talk about gym flooring

FAQs

How often should I clean my gym equipment?

Wipe down after sweaty sessions, then deep clean weekly. In humid spaces, increase frequency to stay ahead of rust and odors. This routine supports consistent gym maintenance and longer equipment life.

What products are safe for cleaning gym equipment?

Use an alcohol-free, mild dish soap solution, a non-abrasive gym equipment cleaner, and stainless-specific cleaner for stainless steel. Avoid bleach, harsh solvents, and abrasive pads.

Can I use alcohol or bleach on bench pads or coatings?

Skip both. They can dry out vinyl, dull coatings, and cause premature wear. Stick with mild soap, water, and a soft rag.

How do I prevent rust on bare-steel bars?

Dry thoroughly, oil lightly, and store bars off the floor. Follow the care steps above, and reference our barbell maintenance guide for exercise equipment maintenance best practices.

What’s the quickest way to learn how to clean gym equipment by material?

Use this guide’s material-specific steps. Clean, rinse, dry, then—if metal—lightly oil. Pair that with good storage and flooring for long-term results.