Often after an intense work out, the last thing I think about is my boxing wraps. For me, it is about getting the damp and tight fabric off my hands and getting cooled down. The thought to clean your boxing wraps is far and distant. Like most, they get thrown into a bag or hung up only to be used again the next day. Eventually what I find is a crusty, dirty and stinky wrap that I wouldn’t want to touch with a ten foot pole!
After a couple of uses, its good practice to give your boxing wraps a deep clean to prevent bacteria from forming and also increasing the life of your wraps. A safe way to do this, and best way to prevent wear and tear is by soaking your wraps with detergent or a homemade solution for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Be sure to hang dry in a well ventilated area or next to a fan/heater. In this article, we will look through some other options you could do at home, in cleaning your boxing wraps.
Can You Wash Your Boxing Hand Wraps
Hand wraps are a long piece of fabric that fighters use to protect their hands before a match or workout. It acts as a barrier between your hand and your boxing glove. Given their purpose you can imagine how much dirt and sweat gets absorbed by the material. On top of that, most times after a workout you are likely looking to just take them off and toss them aside on the floor or workout bag.
Hand wraps should be washed frequently depending on often they are used. If they’re being used almost every day of the week, then washing them every few days or at least a long soak should be part of your routine.
It would also be a good idea to have separate pairs in the rotation in order for you to be able to have little to no interruption to your workout schedule.
How To Clean Boxing Wraps
Cleaning your hand wraps should become part of your regular equipment care routine. Regularly maintaining them would reduce bacteria and odour build up and generally give your hand wraps a longer lifespan.
Soaking Your Boxing Wraps
Soaking your hand wraps in a bit of detergent or natural home product is the least invasive way to wash your hand wraps and to preserve their longevity.
- Step 1: Find a large bucket or container that allows space for your hand wraps. You could also use a sink or bathtub if you do not have a bucket available.
- Step 2: Fill with enough water to cover the hand wraps and add a mild detergent or your choice or a homemade product.
- Step 3: Let your wraps sit for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Step 4: Straighten out your hand wraps and hang dry. You can also run your hand wraps along a curtain rod in your bathtub and hang them there to help keep them straight.
Make Your Own Detergent
If you’re someone who likes to keep your equipment clean and not wait for your wraps to be used and stinky.
Here’s a simple homemade remedy to eliminate odours and disinfect your wraps. Best part is that its safe to use consisently.
This is also a great option if you want to keep your hand wraps from constantly being exposed to harsh chemicals and machine washing, and keeping them in better quality.
To make this, add 10 cups of water with 1 cup of vinegar and put your wraps in. As an option you can add a couple drops of your preferred essential oil for a nicer scent.
After soaking, be sure to rinse your wraps thoroughly. Run under a sink for about 2 minutes and hand wash.
Hang Drying Your Boxing Wraps
When you have finished soaking your wraps and rinsed them thoroughly. Squeeze any excess water and hang dry them on a towel rack, clothing rack or on your curtain rod by the bathtub. Be sure to have them not overlap for faster drying and to avoid any dampness.
Leave your bathroom fan on, or place the rack in a well ventilated area, by a fan, vent or heater which would help the wraps dry quickly and completely.
As another added option, you can spray with fabric friendly freshener or sport equipment spray.
How To Straighten Out Your Boxing Wraps
When the hand wraps have dried completely, minimize creasing by rolling your hand wraps tight and leave them for next use.
Although these steps seems “alot to do” for every time you want fresh hand wraps, following this helps preserved the life and durability of these hand wraps.
Another option is throwing them in the wash, this is the easier and faster solution. But highly NOT recommended as it dramatically lowers the quality after just a few washes.
However if you’re in a bind, we do have some tips.
How To Machine Wash Your Boxing Wraps
All Velcro come in two parts, a “hook” side and a “catch” side. Before placing your hand wraps into the wash, be sure to close off the velcro completely. This is to prevent the hook side latching onto other articles of clothing in the wash causing unwanted damage.
Close off the velcro by sticking the hook and catch sides together.
Use a pillowcase or mesh bag and put the your hand wraps in. Be sure to close of the openings of the pillow case/meshbag.
Machine wash on cold — throw the bag with your hand wraps into the wash make sure to have it on the cold water cycle. Reducing contact with too much heat is recommend to prevent damage to your fabric.
When the wash cycle is complete, do not place your hand wraps in the dryer. Instead, hang them until they are completely dry and roll them up. They are now ready to use again!
When To Replace Your Boxing Wraps
There will come a time where all the cleaning would not bring your boxing wraps back to life. If you have taken the steps we talk about in this article and stayed consistent with maintenance. Typically your boxing wraps would have lasted a long time.
Wear and tear, discolouration, lingering odour is a good sign that its time to replace your hand wraps. Depending on how much they are used, a general consensus of when to replace your hand wraps is 4–6 months.
Conclusion
Hand wraps are often overlooked in the maintenance cycle, hopefully this article has helped you remember to maintain them to increase their quality and keep them from stinking up your gym bag or workout room. Keep your gear clean and fresh only makes your work out experience more enjoyable. While you’re at it, boxing gloves should be cleaned and maintained on a regular cycle too. Bacteria and moisture can easily build up inside the glove that would speed up the wear and tear and cause odour.
