Using resistance bands is one of my favorite ways to amp up my workout, especially when I am at home and do not have room for big and expensive equipment.

But the biggest problem I used to face is this:

How can I properly clean my resistance bands and take care of them so they last longer?

After a lot of trial and error, I finally found the solution to this serious problem.

Here are my top 10 easy and really effective tips to clean and care for your resistance bands. (work with both fabric or latex)

But before you jump to the kitchen and take the soap please wait!

I want tell you something really important.

Even if you follow all the advice below and clean and take care of your resistance bands regularly they may still break, snap or lose elasticity if they are poorly made.

And sadly there’s nothing you can really do about that.

The only real solution is to simply own a high-quality set made from long lasting materials and improved design.

If you are looking for resistance bands like these I highly recommend you to check mine I’m currently using:

I really like them because they are made of high-quality materials and so far none of them have snapped or started to make problems. In addition the price is awesome and you get fast shipping.

Click here to see their latest price (They are currently 50% Off)

With that out of the way let’s get into the know-how.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to clean and care for your bands:

Contents show

How to Clean And Care for Your Resistance Bands – The Ultimate Guide

It is totally possible and easy to clean your resistance bands. You should make cleaning your resistance bands a habit because it will come in contact with your sweat and skin.

The first thing that you should do before cleaning them is learning if your resistance band is made out of latex or fabric. That way, you will know what cleaning methods you should follow.

Here is how you can easily and quickly clean both latex and fabric resistance bands.

How To Clean Fabric Resistance Bands (Step By Step)

Cleaning up your fabric resistance band after a good sweat sesh is a breeze.

Here is how you can do it.

Grab a bucket or pail.
Fill it with warm (not hot) water.
Add some mild detergent.
Put your resistance band into the bucket or pail.
Gently wash it using your hands.
Rinse off your band carefully without wringing it out.
Hang your resistance band to let it air dry in the open air and keep it away from direct sunlight.

Remember to ALWAYS be gentle when you wash your resistance band. That way, you can maintain its elasticity and help it last longer.

Can I Use A Washing Machine To Clean My Fabric Resistance Bands?

You can throw most fabric resistance bands into a washing machine to clean it.

I suggest that you wash it with a very gentle detergent and on a low setting in your washing machine. That way, you can maintain the elasticity of your band.

Instead of throwing it in the dryer after you wash it, let it dry in the open air and away from direct sunlight.

Now you know how to properly clean your fabric resistance band. But what happens if you own a latex resistance band?

You are in luck because I have more tips in store for you.

How To Clean Latex Resistance Bands (Step By Step)

Efficiently cleaning latex resistance bands can be quicker than you think!

Here are two ways you can clean your latex resistance band.

With Dish Soap

Put your latex resistance band into a pail or bucket.
Add some warm (not hot) water.
Add some gentle or mild dish soap.
Use your hands to gently hand wash the resistance band.
Use a towel to hand dry the resistance band.
Hang them and let the band dry overnight in the open air. Keep it out of direct sunlight.

Without Dish Soap

Dampen a towel with clean water.
Use the towel to wipe down the resistance band.
Use a dry towel to wipe off excess moisture from the resistance band.
Hang your resistance band in the open air and away from direct sunlight to let it dry.

Do not forget to check the temperature of your water before you clean your resistance band.

Very hot water can damage the material of your resistance band. Warm to lukewarm is the best temperature of water to use when you clean your resistance band.

Which Cleaning Method Is Better For My Latex Resistance Band?

Out of the two methods, cleaning your latex band without dish soap is the easiest and most convenient cleaning method.

You can use the dish soap cleaning method to wash your latex resistance band if it is very dirty.

Now we know how to easily clean both latex and fabric resistance bands. But the learning does not stop there.

There are more ways you can take care of your resistance bands to make them last longer. Here are 8 tips that you should learn.

8 Tips to Care For Your Resistance Bands (Easy to Do)

1. Store Your Band Properly

Before you put your resistance band away after a hard workout, you need to clean it first by following the tips above.

You should NEVER try to store your resistance band when they are dirty.

Make sure the resistance band is completely dry after cleaning it before you put the resistance band away.

2. Always Avoid Direct Sunlight

One of the biggest mistakes that any resistance band owner can make is putting your resistance band under direct sunlight. This study reveals that UV light, which comes from the sun, can discolor latex [1].

Direct sunlight is harsh and it can bleach the color of your resistance band. Plus it can make your resistance band brittle which means it could easily snap or break.

3. Always Avoid Heat

I just mentioned that you should keep your resistance band away from sunlight right? Well, you need to keep it away from hot areas, too.

Heat can make your resistance band brittle quickly. This study shows that heat makes latex gloves degrade quickly [2], which means it could affect your resistance band in the same way.

I suggest you keep your resistance band in a cool place so it can last you a long time.

4. Keep Your Resistance Band Dry

I highly recommend that you make sure you keep it in a dry place, too.

If your resistance band is exposed to moisture for a long time, it can weaken your resistance band.

Plus this study shows that a damp and moist environment can let fungus and bacteria breed [3] on your latex resistance band. It can also degrade your fabric resistance band and make it have a funky smell.

Keeping your resistance band in a Ziplock bag inside a dark, dry place like a drawer can help you extend the life of your resistance band.

5. Use the Right Cleaning Products

I mentioned earlier that you should make sure you use mild dish soap and mild detergent to wash your resistance bands.

While water and a towel can get the job done for latex resistance bands, you might want to use some cleaning products to thoroughly clean it, especially if you have a fabric resistance band.

You have to remember that it is crucial that you choose the right kind of cleaning products. Most cleaning products are chock full of harsh chemicals that will ruin your resistance band’s material.

Your resistance band can change color, become brittle, and even break if you use harsh chemicals to clean it.

If you need to use dish soap or detergent, especially if it is a fabric resistance band, be sure to use the mildest detergent and dish soap you can find.

6. Never Add Weight or Strain

When you store your resistance band, you should make sure that there is no strain on the resistance band.

I highly suggest that you make sure that there is no weight on top of your resistance band, too. You can put your bands over other items in a drawer to make sure it does not get weighed down.

7. Do Not Use It In the Pool

You might think that using your resistance band in the pool would be a fun way to work out. However, you need to step back from the pool right away.

The pool has chlorine inside of it, which is a harsh chemical that can wear out and damage your resistance band quickly.

8. Do Not Overstretch Your Resistance Bands

I used to think that my resistance band could handle a lot of strain during my workouts. I got frustrated because they would end up damaged a lot sooner than I expected.

I used to think that my resistance band could stretch out further than it should, but that made it wear out quickly.

Thankfully, I learned that I had to stop overstretching my resistance bands when I workout.

When you overstretch your bands the elasticity of the resistance band will wear out and it can create small nicks and tears.

The easiest way to avoid overstretching your resistance band is by getting a band with higher resistance.

Do you know when you have to replace your resistance band?

Unfortunately, a resistance band can only last you for so long. Keep on reading till the end to learn more…

3 Signs Of Damage That You Should Know

While cleaning your resistance band and knowing how to properly take care of it can make it last longer, that does not mean you will have it forever.

It is important that you watch out for any signs of damage that signal you need to grab a new resistance band.

If you see any of the signs of damage below and need a replacement, you can check out my favorite resistance bands I use daily <<.

Here are some things you should look out for.

1. Small Nicks and Tears

You should always look at your resistance band closely before you use it. If you notice a small tear or nick in your resistance band, it is a big sign that you need to get a replacement.

If you ignore the tear or nick in your resistance band, it will only grow bigger whenever you use it. This heightens the chance of it snapping or breaking while working out.

2. Punctures

Punctures are another huge warning sign you should watch out for.

The reason is pretty much the same as why you should look for tears and nicks. A puncture in your resistance band can quickly turn into a big hole and potentially cause it to snap.

3. Peeling

If you notice that your latex resistance band is starting to peel, then that means it has seen better days. I strongly suggest you start looking for a replacement when you see that it peels.

Resistance Bands: The Next Steps

Now you know how to properly take care of and clean your resistance bands, no matter what material they are made out of!

Please remember that you need to be gentle when you clean your resistance bands.

The same thing applies to storage as well.

The better care you provide, the longer they are going to last.

But cleaning and storing bands are only the tip of the iceberg… If you want to learn even more awesome information simply follow these 2 steps.

Step 1: If you haven’t already, enter your email below and download Bands Training 101: Everything You Need To Know for absolutely free. It contains a lot of very useful content and workouts you can apply straight away.

[thrive_leads id=’15514′]

Step 2: The next thing you should do is sit comfortably, take a cup of coffee and read even more awesome articles about resistance bands.

Here are some of the best I’ve prepared for you:

You can confidently get your workout on now that you know all the ins and outs of resistance band care!

8 Ways To Clean & Care for Resistance Bands (Fabric or Latex)

How to Clean And Care for Your Resistance Bands – The Ultimate Guide

How To Clean Fabric Resistance Bands (Step By Step)

Can I Use A Washing Machine To Clean My Fabric Resistance Bands?