Unpleasant odours drive gym-goers away and create an uncomfortable workout experience. The good news is you can do something to remove foul gym smells and prevent them from building up.
Here’s how to deodorise a gym and keep it fresh for all fitness enthusiasts.
How to Get Rid of Bad Odour in Your Gym
No one wants to be in a stinky gym. It makes customers unhappy and ruins your business reputation. More importantly, it’s a health risk since bacteria is the primary source of these off-odours.
Follow these tips to make your gym clean and inviting.
1. Ensure Proper Ventilation
Odour-laden air stays within the gym if it has no way out. A well-ventilated gym allows good airflow, preventing the build-up of smells and stagnant air.
Opening windows and installing fans improve air circulation within the establishment. Exhaust ventilation is another means of replacing stale, stuffy air with fresh air. It also removes excess moisture in the gym, preventing high humidity levels and mould growth.
Good ventilation in the gym is not only for removing odours. It also prevents the build-up of airborne particles, like pollen and dust, that can trigger respiratory problems.
2. Clean Equipment and Surfaces After Every Use
Keeping your gym clean is one of the best techniques for preventing odour build-up.
Sweat goes to the benches, mats, and fitness equipment. Without regular cleaning, sweat on these surfaces can quickly accumulate. Eventually, bacteria will thrive here, giving off unpleasant smells.
Also, dirt from shoes and moisture from water bottles or towels make your gym conducive to bacterial growth.
Prevent these by following a daily clean-up checklist that includes:
- cleaning floor mats and sweeping up visible dirt or hair
- cleaning and disinfecting shower and locker rooms
- wiping equipment and surfaces with antibacterial wipes
- disinfecting high-touch surfaces like handles, buttons, and benches
- emptying trash bins
Make cleaning stations accessible to staff and gym-goers to encourage responsible gym use.
3. Keep Locker Rooms and Shower Areas Clean
When cleaning the gym, pay more attention to areas known for harbouring odours. Examples are locker rooms and shower areas.
Gym-goers often use and stay in these rooms, building up moisture and sweat. So, be sure to keep these areas clean at all times. Ask your cleaning staff to disinfect them as frequently as possible.
Also, use the appropriate cleaning agents and promptly remove damp towels or workout clothing. Putting odour absorbers or air fresheners in these places also keeps the atmosphere inviting.
4. Use Natural Deodorisers
An ideal workout area is not only clean. It should smell fresh, too. Air freshener sprays for gyms can mask odours and create a fresh-smelling environment.
Alternatively, use natural air fresheners. For example, adding a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil to a diffuser can invigorate the atmosphere. Citrus scents are also ideal for uplifting and refreshing the space.
Remember to follow the proper dilution, though. Avoid overdoing it, as overpowering scents can affect your staff and customers.
If you prefer an odourless air freshener, you can use baking soda and place a box or two around your gym to absorb unwanted smells. Baking soda is also versatile for disinfecting surfaces and removing stains.
5. Invest in a Dehumidifier, Air Purifier, or Odour-Absorbing Mats
Aside from bacteria, molds and dirt are also common sources of odours in gyms. Molds grow in humid and damp environments, while dirt may come from air pollution and gym shoes.
When left unchecked, these can trigger serious respiratory issues like allergies and breathing difficulty. Address the odour and health problems from these substances by doing the following:
- Keep carpets and mats clean and dry. Be sure to air-dry shampooed carpets thoroughly to avoid odour and mold growth. Also, opt for odour-absorbing mats for entrances and high-traffic areas.
- Consider using dehumidifiers and air purifiers. Dehumidifiers absorb excess moisture, keeping your gym dry and odour-free especially during hot weather. Less moisture also means a lower risk of mold growth. On the other hand, air purifiers capture dust particles, pet dander, and pollen that can cause irritation or allergic reactions.
- Schedule your HVAC system for regular maintenance. Frequent tune-ups of your HVAC system extend the life of your equipment. More importantly, it ensures that the air filters are clean and free from odour-generating dirt or allergens.
6. Encourage Good Personal Hygiene
Keeping your gym clean and odour-free requires teamwork. In addition to training your staff about proper cleaning habits, guests and gym-goers should also observe good hygiene practices.
Display visible signage reminding patrons to wash their hands frequently and shower before and after workouts. Promote cleanliness in your gym by setting up accessible hand washing and sanitising stations.
Also, educate new patrons about personal hygiene rules, like bringing their own towels and grooming kits, wearing clean gym clothes, and staying home when sick.
7. Schedule Your Gym for Professional Cleaning
While in-house staff can clean daily, your gym also needs a weekly or monthly deep clean to keep odours at bay.
Areas like windows, carpets, and hard-to-reach spots require advanced cleaning skills and equipment. Professional gym cleaners have the proper training and cleaning tools to tackle every type of surface or fitness machine.
Gyms should also meet health regulations and safety standards to operate continuously. With professional cleaning services, your business can meet these requirements and avoid legal problems.
Professional cleaning for gyms incurs costs, of course. However, in the long run, this investment saves money by reducing the risk of costly equipment damage, potential lawsuits related to health issues, and customer loss.
Leave Gym Odours to the Experts
Gym owners can keep their establishments odour-free through proper ventilation, regular cleaning, and promotion of personal hygiene. However, some odour problems are too persistent for your staff to handle.
In that case, PPSG can help. Contact us on 1300 867 872 to set a cleaning schedule for your Melbourne gym today.