How to Disinfect
Athletic Facilities
Mandatory and Thorough Cleaning: A Necessity for All Athletic Facilities, from School Gymnasiums to Fitness Clubs and Yoga Studios
The number of individuals who use these facilities is steadily rising every year. As of 2022 ,IHRSA estimates that some 66 million Americans belong to membership-based exercise facilities across the country. Additionally, the average American public school houses 555 students, most of whom use the school’s gymnasium for P.E. class and after-school sports.
Given the influx of individuals who frequent athletic facilities daily, coupled with their vigorous activities, it's unsurprising that germs, bacteria, and viruses often find comfortable abodes on surfaces of equipment, turf fields, and within locker rooms.
When visiting a gym or fitness club, one is likely to encounter disinfecting sprays or wipes provided for shared equipment areas. Regrettably, not everyone adheres to the courteous reminder to sanitize their equipment post-use.
Consider these disconcerting figures derived from a study carried out by EMLab P&K in collaboration with FitRated:
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The average exercise bike hosts 39 times more bacteria than a plastic cafeteria tray.
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The average treadmill boasts 74 times more bacteria than a water faucet.
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The average collection of free weights harbors 362 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
Among the most prominent bacterial threats in athletic facilities is MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). While MRSA usually manifests as a skin lesion, it can lead to severe and potentially fatal infections if it infiltrates the bloodstream through an open wound. What's even more alarming is the escalating resilience of bacteria like MRSA to numerous antibiotics and disinfection techniques.
The shared equipment and frequent skin-to-skin contact within athletic facilities create a conducive environment for the propagation of MRSA. Similarly, fungal infections such as athlete's foot and warts are also frequently disseminated.
To mitigate the risk of athletes contracting and transmitting these forms of bacteria and viruses within your facility, it is imperative to adhere to a stringent cleaning and disinfection regimen – this notably involves employing appropriate cleaning solutions for the task at hand.
What Bacteria is
Lurking on Athletic
Facility Surfaces?
The Best Cleaning Product For
Athletic Facilities
Traditional commercial cleaning products often boast potent disinfection capabilities against the robust bacteria and viruses found within your establishment. However, the harsh chemicals within these products might be effective against germs, yet they pose even greater risks to our well-being and the environment.
This is precisely why we advocate for the use of safer alternatives like VIROLYZE. This EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant eradicates 99.999% of bacteria and viruses in under a minute. Additionally, it thwarts the proliferation of drug-resistant "superbugs," a concern that's increasingly prevalent in athletic facilities.
VIROLYZE exhibits non-corrosive and non-irritating properties towards the skin, rendering it an ideal choice for treating frequently-touched surfaces within an athletic facility. It not only eradicates odors – an essential factor in locker rooms – but also eradicates mold spores and mildew at their source.
It is safe and non-corrosive on carpet and soft surface, VIROLYZE can even be applied to areas such as turf fields and wrestling mats.
For optimal outcomes, employing an Electrostatic Sprayer in conjunction with VIROLYZE is recommended. This innovative approach enables you to administer the cleaner 70% faster while using 65% less product than manual application.
Among the sprayers available, we favor the Victory Sprayer. It comes in both a cordless handheld and a backpack model. The Backpack Sprayer proves particularly efficacious for sizable athletic facilities, capable of covering up to 23,000 square feet with a single tank of fluid.
Equiped with the appropriate tools and VIROLYZE, you play a crucial role in eradicating bacteria and curbing the spread of diseases within your athletic facility.
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1.Properly Maintain Equipment:** Clean items like helmets and protective gear after each us. Utilize VIROLYZE, which is a safe cleaning product that won't cause harm or corrosion to these items.
3. **Dispose of Unsalvageable Equipment:** If equipment or furniture has surfaces that are irreparably damaged and cannot be effectively disinfected, opt for proper disposal.
Furthermore, the CDC endorses the utilization of EPA-registered disinfectants such as VIROLYZE for proficiently eliminating MRSA from surfaces within athletic facilities. Key areas of focus encompass:
Frequently touched surfaces, especially those that regularly come into direct contact with exposed skin.
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DAILY CLEANING
This includes cardio machines and weight training equipment.
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Locker rooms, spanning locker handles, interiors, benches, floors, and showers.
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Soft surfaces like wrestling or gymnastics mats.
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Turf fields.
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Sports equipment that athletes wear or handle.
Lastly, it is imperative to communicate and review all cleaning and disinfecting protocols with personnel responsible for daily maintenance at your facility.
Moreover, exercise caution by thoroughly reading and adhering to the instructions outlined for any cleaning product employed.
How to Properly Clean and Disinfect an Athletic Facility