Alright, let’s talk about something I do after every boxing session – washing my hand wraps. It’s not rocket science, but doing it right keeps them clean and, more importantly, helps them last longer. So, here’s how I tackle this chore.
First off, I get my stuff together. I find a clean sink or a basin – that’s where the magic happens. I fill it up with lukewarm water. I used to use hot water, but I noticed it made the wraps shrink a bit, so lukewarm it is. Then, I add in some mild detergent. I learned the hard way not to use anything harsh, as it can irritate the skin. Once, I used some strong soap, and boy, did my hands itch during the next training session! Never again.
- Get Everything Ready: Find a clean sink or basin. You’ll need lukewarm water and some mild detergent.
- Mix: Add a bit of that mild detergent into the water. Don’t go overboard; a little goes a long way.
- Soak the Wraps: I unroll my hand wraps and toss them into the soapy water. I make sure they’re fully submerged.
- Let Them Sit: I leave them soaking for about 10-15 minutes. This helps loosen up the dirt and sweat.
- Scrub-a-Dub: After the soak, I gently rub the wraps together. I pay extra attention to the parts that get the most contact with my hands.
- Rinse Thoroughly: This is crucial. I rinse the wraps under cold running water until all the soap is gone. Leftover soap can irritate the skin, and we don’t want that.
- Wring Them Out: I squeeze out as much water as I can. This helps speed up the drying process.
- Hang to Dry: I hang my wraps up to air dry. I’ve found that hanging them in a well-ventilated area works best.
Once I got the water and detergent mix right, I unroll my hand wraps. It’s kind of a pain, but it has to be done. I toss them into the water and make sure they are soaked through. I leave them there for about, I don’t know, 10 to 15 minutes? I’m not timing it, but it’s enough time for the dirt and sweat to start coming off.
After the soak, I give them a good scrub. I just rub the fabric together, focusing on the parts that wrap around my knuckles and palms – those areas get the most sweat. Then comes the rinsing part. I rinse them under cold water, making sure all the soap is out. This is important because any leftover soap will irritate my skin the next time I use them. Trust me, I learned that the hard way.
Once they’re rinsed, I wring them out. I try to get as much water out as possible without twisting them too hard. Then, I hang them to dry. I usually just drape them over something outside or near a window. It’s important not to just leave them in a pile, as they can get musty.
And that’s pretty much it. It might sound like a lot, but it becomes routine after a while. It keeps my wraps from stinking up my gym bag. Plus, they last longer, which saves me a few bucks in the long run. So, yeah, that’s my not-so-glamorous process of keeping my boxing hand wraps in decent shape.
