PUNCHING BAG MAINTENANCE AND CARE

Taking Care of Your Heavy Hanging or Freestanding Bag

 

A good training session should leave you and your bag sweaty - you more so than the bag! And while you can just pop into the shower, we don’t recommend taking your bag with you (seriously. Don’t do this). But just like you wouldn’t skip your post-workout shower, you shouldn’t skip a post-workout bag cleaning. It’s easy to do, takes less than five minutes, and can even extend the life of your bag! Here’s everything you need to know.

 

HANGING BAGS

First, it’s important to know the material of your heavy hanging bag. Most of them are made from polyurethane or vinyl. Creed bags are made from leather and require slightly different care.

Vinyl, Polyurethane, any plastic:

After every use: Wipe with a clean, damp cloth. If any water is left on the bag when you’re done, wipe it dry with another cloth.

Weekly: Wipe bag down with a clean, dry rag and cleaning solution.

Most storebought cleaners will work on your bag. If possible, look for one that kills viruses and bacteria. This is especially important if more than one person will be using the bag. You want to minimize the risk of transmission of infections, like staph, that can be spread through shared gym equipment.

Before cleaning your bag for the first time, we recommend doing a small “patch test:” spray a small amount of the cleaner you intend to use near the bottom of the bag, wipe it down, and wait a few minutes. Check for any discoloration; if there is none, you’re good to keep cleaning!

 

Leather:

After every use: Wipe with a clean, damp cloth. If any water is left on the bag when you’re done, wipe it dry with another cloth.

Weekly: Wipe bag down with a clean, dry rag and cleaning solution.

Once every two months: After cleaning your bag, make sure it is thoroughly dry. Then take an unused clean rag and wipe your bag down with leather conditioner. A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it! After letting the conditioner absorb for 5 – 10 minutes, take another rag and wipe off any residue.

Again, don’t forget the patch test!

 

FREESTANDING

Care instructions for the bag section of your freestanding bag are the same as your heavy bag. Make sure to patch test the cleaner you plan on using on a small area before thoroughly wiping down the bag.

You will also need to clean the base of your bag. Unless you’ve just coated it with sweat, or done toe-taps, dips, or other exercises that may have gotten dirt or body oil on it, simply wiping it down with a clean, damp cloth is all you need! Use chemicals to clean it once every few months.

There is also the inside of your base to consider. If you’ve filled it with sand, you’re set! If your base is water-filled, you can go the extra mile to keep it clean by changing the water once every six months and adding ¼ to ½ cup of bleach to it. If you choose to add bleach, first fill the base a quarter of the way full, then add the bleach, then finish filling it. Be careful not to overfill it, as the bleach and water mix may damage your floor.

If you have a mannequin bag like BOB or BOB XL, it’s a good idea to spend a few extra moments his face and abs – anywhere there are creases or indents in his “skin” – and make sure to dry these areas as well. If you leave it damp, dust may gather in these areas and turn gunky over time, making your BOB look discolored.

 

Taking all these steps regularly will have your bag looking new for years to come!