How to Wash Knee Sleeves, Wrist Wraps and Lifting Straps

Quick answer: Hand wash knee sleeves, wrist wraps and lifting straps in cool water with a small amount of mild detergent, rinse until the water runs clear, gently press the water out (don't wring), and air dry away from heat and direct sun. Skip bleach, fabric softener and the dryer. Close the hook-and-loop on wrist wraps before washing. Leather or suede lifting belts are different: never soak them. Wipe them down instead.

Your gym bag knows the truth: sweaty knee sleeves and wrist wraps that sit zipped up between sessions start to smell, fast. The good news is that cleaning your lifting gear takes about ten minutes, and doing it right helps neoprene keep its snug fit and keeps wraps from losing their stretch early. This guide covers how to wash knee sleeves, wrist wraps, lifting straps, knee and elbow wraps, and what to do with a leather belt.

Always check the care tag first. If your gear's tag or product page gives different instructions, follow those. Our Bay Gear Co. wrist wraps, for example, are marked hand wash, air dry.

Quick Care Chart

How to Wash Knee Sleeves (Step by Step)

Neoprene is the material most lifters worry about, because a knee sleeve that loses its snug fit isn't doing its job. Here's the gentle way to clean it:

1. Turn the sleeves inside out. The inside touches your skin and holds most of the sweat.
2. Fill a sink or bucket with cool water and add about a teaspoon of mild liquid detergent. Swish it until it dissolves.
3. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then work the sleeves with your hands. Skip scrub brushes, which can rough up the fabric.
4. Rinse in clean, cool water until no suds come out. Leftover soap can leave the fabric stiff and smelly.
5. Press the water out. Squeeze gently or roll the sleeve in a towel. Don't twist or wring it, which stretches the seams.
6. Air dry in the shade. Lay them flat or hang them over a rack. Neoprene can take most of a day to dry, so wash them right after a session, not right before one.

Can you put knee sleeves in the washing machine? Some brands allow it on a gentle cold cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Hand washing is easier on the neoprene and the stitching, so it's the safer default unless your tag says otherwise. Never put neoprene in the dryer.

The same steps work for neoprene elbow sleeves.

How to Wash Wrist Wraps

1. Close the hook-and-loop strip (the Velcro) on itself so it doesn't grab lint or snag the elastic.
2. Hand wash in cool water with a little mild detergent. Work the soapy water through the wrap.
3. Rinse well and gently press the water out.
4. Lay the wrap out straight to dry. Don't leave it rolled up while it's wet.

Skip fabric softener. It can coat the elastic and the hook-and-loop, which makes the closure grip less well.

How to Wash Knee Wraps and Elbow Wraps

Long wraps like our 78" knee wraps and 60" elbow wraps hold a lot of water. Unroll them, roll them back up loosely, and soak them in cool soapy water. Work them through, rinse, then unroll them completely to dry, draped over a rack or shower rod. A wrap that dries rolled up can stay damp in the middle.

Wrapping technique refresher: How to Wrap Knee Wraps.

How to Clean Lifting Straps

Cotton straps with neoprene padding, like our lifting straps, can be hand washed the same way as wrist wraps. If you use chalk, brush off as much dry chalk as you can first. A short soak loosens the rest.

Using liquid chalk? It still builds up in straps over time. Here's how it compares with powder: Liquid Chalk vs Powder Chalk.

How to Clean a Leather or Suede Lifting Belt

Don't soak a leather belt or put it in the washing machine. Water can stiffen or warp leather as it dries.

• Wipe it down after sweaty sessions with a barely damp cloth, then let it dry in open air.
• Brush suede gently with a soft brush once it's dry, to lift chalk and dirt.
• Store it in the open, not sealed in a gym bag, so it can dry out between sessions.
• Keep it away from direct heat, like a heater or a hot car dashboard.

For more on fitting and caring for a belt, see How to Wear a Weightlifting Belt.

How Often Should You Wash Your Lifting Gear?

There isn't one right number. A good rule of thumb: wash knee sleeves and wrist wraps every few sessions, or sooner if they smell or you train in a hot gym. Between washes, the biggest thing you can do is let them air out right after training.

Tips to Keep Gear From Smelling

• Take it out of your bag as soon as you get home. A closed bag traps moisture.
• Hang it up to air out after every session, even when you're not washing it.
• Make sure it's fully dry before you pack it again.
• Have a second pair if you train most days, so one pair can dry while you use the other.

FAQ

Can I put knee sleeves in the dryer?

No. Heat can damage neoprene and the glue and stitching that hold the sleeve together. Air dry them.

How long do knee sleeves take to dry?

It depends on thickness and air flow. Thick 7mm sleeves often take most of a day, so wash them right after training.

Can I wash wrist wraps in the washing machine?

Follow the tag. Bay Gear Co. wrist wraps are hand wash, air dry. Hand washing is also gentler on the elastic and the hook-and-loop strip.

What detergent should I use for neoprene?

A small amount of mild liquid laundry detergent works. Avoid bleach and fabric softener.

Should I wash new knee sleeves before wearing them?

It's not required. If you do, use the same gentle hand-wash steps above.

Why do my knee sleeves still smell after washing?

Usually they weren't rinsed fully or didn't dry all the way. Rinse until no suds come out and let them dry completely before packing them.

Veteran-Owned Gear Worth Taking Care Of

Bay Gear Co. is a veteran-owned company. Founder Brian Young, a Marine Corps veteran, started it in 2017, and we're now based in Sebastian, Florida.

Ready for a Fresh Pair?

• Knee sleeves: Shop 7mm knee sleeves, $59.99. Not sure on fit? See the knee sleeve sizing guide.
• Wrist wraps: Shop all prints, including Tactical Hawaiian and Black Camo, $28.99
• Knee wraps: Shop knee wraps
• Lifting straps: Shop lifting straps

Bay Gear Co. offers free shipping on orders over $49 and a 30-day return policy.