What Do Gyms Use to Clean Equipment? Products & Methods

Why Do Professional Gyms Choose Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectants?

Quaternary ammonium compounds - referred to across the fitness cleaning industry as "quats" - are the disinfectant class most widely used in commercial gym environments because they meet the requirements for equipment-safe disinfection in a single formulation. Quats are effective against the pathogens most commonly transmitted in gym settings: Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), E. coli, rhinovirus, and influenza strains. Critically, they achieve this without corroding metal surfaces, discolouring vinyl padding, or degrading rubber grip coatings, which eliminates the equipment damage problem that bleach and alcohol-based products create through repeated use.

The non-negotiable requirement for any quat disinfectant to achieve its kill claim is contact time - the duration the surface must remain visibly wet after application before being wiped or allowed to air dry. Most commercial quat formulations used in gyms require between 30 seconds and 4 minutes of wet contact time. A surface that is sprayed and immediately wiped has been cleaned of visible contamination but has not been disinfected. Research from the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) identifies this as the single most common failure point in gym cleaning protocols, across both staff-led cycles and member self-service stations.

In Australia, the equivalent of US EPA registration is TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) registration via the ARTG (Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods). Any disinfectant claiming to kill specific pathogens should carry a current ARTG number on its label. Gym operators purchasing disinfectants without this registration have no verified evidence that the product meets its stated efficacy claims under Australian regulatory assessment.

What Cleaning Products Should Gyms Never Use on Equipment?

Several cleaning agents that kill germs effectively on other surfaces are actively harmful to gym equipment materials and must be excluded from routine protocols.

• Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) bleaches and degrades vinyl padding, corrodes steel cable ends and machine fasteners, and causes progressive brittleness in rubber handle coatings. Appropriate for shower and toilet disinfection at correct dilutions - not for equipment surfaces.
• Ammonia-based glass cleaners discolour vinyl and plastic casings and must never be used on digital touchscreens or control panels. Ammonia infiltrates screen seals and damages display components over time.
• Alcohol sprays above 70% concentration evaporate too quickly to achieve the required contact time, strip protective coatings from vinyl and rubber with repeated use, and cause plastic components to crack and yellow progressively.
• Hydrogen peroxide above 3% causes skin and respiratory irritation in staff and members, and repeated application leads to vinyl discolouration on padded surfaces.
• Direct aerosol spray onto cardio machine surfaces - regardless of product - risks moisture infiltrating treadmill motor housings, electronic displays, and cable mechanisms. The correct application is always spray onto the cloth first, then wipe the surface.

How Do Gyms Clean Each Type of Equipment?

The cleaning method is determined by equipment category because surface materials, contamination profiles, and risk levels differ substantially across a gym floor.

How Do Gyms Clean Cardio Machines?

Treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and rowing machines accumulate sweat on handlebars and seats, skin oils on touchscreens, and dust in motor vents and roller mechanisms. The standard professional protocol begins with wiping all user-contact surfaces using a damp microfibre cloth and pH-neutral cleaner, followed by a quat disinfectant wipe or spray applied to the cloth first and then the machine - allowing adequate contact time before drying. Digital touchscreens must only be cleaned with a dry or lightly damp microfibre cloth; direct spray risks moisture entering screen seals. Treadmill motor housing vents should be vacuumed weekly to prevent dust buildup that clogs rollers and causes mechanical breakdown.

How Do Gyms Clean Free Weights and Barbells?

Free weights carry the highest bacterial load of any zone in a commercial gym. Research published in fitness industry journals found that weight equipment harbours more contamination than aerobic machines, partly because of constant direct hand contact and the grooved, knurled textures that trap sweat, dead skin cells, and chalk residue. The professional cleaning sequence is: degreaser solution applied with a stiff barbell brush to break down chalk and oil in the knurling, followed by a pH-neutral cleaner wipe-down, followed by a quat disinfectant at correct contact time.

Neoprene-coated dumbbells require a separate approach - alcohol-based products strip the neoprene coating, causing surface cracking that creates bacterial colonisation sites in the exposed foam. A diluted dish soap solution (1:10 in water) is safe for neoprene and achieves adequate routine cleaning without material damage.

How Do Gyms Clean Weight Benches and Cable Machines?

Padded vinyl benches and cable machine seats are the most chemically sensitive surfaces in the gym. pH-neutral cleaner on a damp microfibre cloth is the correct agent; chemical residue from quat disinfectants must be wiped off rather than left to air dry on vinyl, as concentrated residue causes surface cracking and microcrack formation that allows bacteria to colonise beneath the padding over time.

How Do Gyms Clean Rubber Flooring and Gym Mats?

Rubber gym flooring is cleaned with a pH-neutral floor cleaner applied via a microfibre flat mop, with periodic deep disinfection using a commercial steam cleaner. Steam cleaning achieves sustained heat disinfection - effective against bacteria and fungi - without chemical residue that could create a slip hazard or cause barefoot skin contact concerns. For a detailed breakdown of rubber surface techniques, Everyday Clean's guide on how to clean rubber gym mats covers material-specific procedures used in professional environments.

How Do Gyms Clean Locker Rooms and Change Areas?

Locker rooms and shower areas carry the highest cross-contamination risk in any fitness facility. Warm, moist environments accelerate mould, mildew, and fungal growth - specifically dermatophytes responsible for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and ringworm, both commonly transmitted via shared gym surfaces. General quat sprays are insufficient here; TGA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants with specific kill claims against fungal pathogens are required. Shower floors, benches, toilet fixtures, and drain surrounds must be disinfected at a minimum of twice daily during peak operational periods.

How Often Do Gyms Clean Their Equipment?

Cleaning frequency in a commercial gym is tiered by surface contact level and contamination risk - not applied uniformly across the facility.

• During operational hours, member self-service wipe stations stocked with pre-saturated quat wipes or spray bottles provide continuous decontamination between users. IHRSA research confirms that visible cleaning stations are among the top drivers of member satisfaction and retention. These stations also reduce the microbial load that staff cleaning cycles must address at close.
• Daily deep clean: all equipment surfaces, free weight areas, cardio machines, change rooms, showers, and floors require a full clean-and-disinfect cycle after operational hours. This is when hospital-grade disinfectants with longer contact times are applied in wet areas and when floor scrubbers or steam cleaners process the full gym floor.
• Weekly scheduled tasks: degreasing of barbell and dumbbell knurling, vacuuming of cardio machine motor vents, deep cleaning of rubber floor joins and mat edges, and inspection of padded equipment for cracks or tears that create bacteria-harbouring surface damage.



For Sydney gym operators needing compliant, documented professional cleaning programs, Everyday Clean's gym cleaning services across Australia cover both daily operational cleaning and scheduled deep clean rotations.

FAQs About What Gyms Use to Clean Equipment

The questions below reflect the most common concerns raised by gym members, facility managers, and owners across Australian fitness forums and communities - covering product safety, application methods, and the difference between cleaning that looks effective and cleaning that actually is.

What do gyms spray on equipment to disinfect it?

Commercial gyms in Australia most commonly spray quaternary ammonium compound (quat) disinfectants on equipment surfaces. Quat disinfectants are formulated for repeated use on gym materials - they kill Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, E. coli, and influenza without corroding steel, bleaching vinyl, or degrading rubber. The spray is applied to a microfibre cloth or disposable wipe first (never directly onto the machine surface), then used to wipe the equipment - leaving the surface wet for the required contact time before drying. In Australia, products claiming to kill specific pathogens should carry a current ARTG number confirming TGA regulatory assessment. Gyms that cannot identify the ARTG number on their disinfectant labels cannot verify the product's efficacy claims.

Are gym wipes or spray bottles better for cleaning equipment?

Pre-saturated disposable wipes are generally the more reliable option for equipment cleaning in high-traffic commercial gyms. The wipe format eliminates the risk of oversaturation - excessive liquid from a spray bottle can infiltrate electronic components in cardio machines and cause corrosion in motor housings over time. Wipes also ensure physical wiping is built into the process, which removes microbes mechanically regardless of chemical contact time. The correct technique, as recommended by infectious disease specialists, is to use one wipe to cover the surface and let it remain wet for the contact time, then use a second wipe with friction to complete residue removal. Spray bottles with paper towels remain practical for larger surfaces and floor equipment where wipe coverage is impractical.

What chemicals should gyms avoid when cleaning equipment?

Gyms should avoid bleach, ammonia-based glass cleaners, alcohol sprays above 70% concentration, and hydrogen peroxide above 3% on equipment surfaces. These chemicals damage vinyl padding, corrode metal fasteners, strip rubber coatings, and degrade plastic components progressively with repeated use. Direct aerosol spray to any electronic surface should also be avoided, regardless of product type - the correct method is always to apply to a cloth first, then to the equipment surface. For product-specific guidance aligned to Australian standards, Everyday Clean's eco-friendly gym cleaning products guide outlines safe alternatives across every major surface material type found in commercial gyms.

How often should gym equipment be professionally cleaned?

User-contact surfaces - handlebar grips, seat padding, footrests, and touchscreens - should be wiped down between each user via self-service stations during operational hours, and fully cleaned and disinfected once daily by professional staff. Free weights require daily cleaning, given their high contamination load, with degreaser deep cleaning added weekly for knurled surfaces. Cardio machine motor vents should be vacuumed weekly. Rubber floor surfaces require a full deep clean at a minimum of weekly, with periodic steam cleaning for chemical-free disinfection. Change rooms and showers require twice-daily disinfection with hospital-grade products carrying specific fungal kill claims. Gyms that operate only a single end-of-day clean without intra-day member wipe stations are running below the standard expected by peak-body fitness industry guidelines.

Is it safe for gym members to use the disinfectant at wipe stations?

Quat-based products stocked at gym wipe stations are formulated for member use at ready-to-use dilutions - they do not require protective equipment for brief contact during normal wiping. The primary risk for members is not the product itself but dried quat residue from solutions that are applied and immediately wiped without adequate wet contact time. Dried quat residue transfers to skin, clothing, and hair, creating prolonged low-level chemical exposure without providing any disinfection benefit (since the kill action only occurs while the surface is visibly wet). Gym operators should ensure wipe station dispensers display clear contact time instructions, and that the products selected are specifically formulated for repeated member contact - not concentrated solutions intended for dilution by trained staff.

Why Professional Gym Cleaning Delivers Results That Member Protocols Cannot

Member self-service stations are a valuable hygiene supplement - not a replacement for scheduled professional cleaning. Members wipe visible surfaces after personal use; they do not access motor vents, cable pulley housings, equipment base frames, padded surface seam edges, or rubber floor joins. They do not apply products at verified contact times, use colour-coded microfibre systems to prevent cross-contamination between zones, or deep clean shower drains and grout lines with hospital-grade fungicidal disinfectants.

Everyday Clean's gym cleaning services in Sydney use zone-specific protocols across the equipment floor, change rooms, wet areas, and reception zones - with TGA-registered disinfectants in high-risk areas and documented cleaning schedules available for member communication and compliance records. All staff are police-checked, trained in correct contact time application, and equipped with commercial-grade microfibre systems and professional floor cleaning machinery.