How often do you machine wash your chest strap?

thisismynewmindset

I got the Polar FT4F HRM last week and I LOVE it!!

The instructions say to rinse off the electrodes in your chest strap after each use. I have been doing this well and sometimes use a little mild soap to wash it with my hands (it says you can do this too).

It also says to machine wash your strap after every 5th use.

If I am rinsing it appropriately and even using a little bit of soap, do I really have to machine wash that often? How often do you machine wash yours?

ahappyapple

bump

MrsRobertson1005

I'd like to know too, I'm going to order one on wednesday, I'm so excited!

CarrieAbbey

I've been doing exactly what you're doing. I wash it by hand. I think that should be okay.

mvsundberg

Oh, wow! I feel gross. I've NEVER washed mine.

mallorybriann

Uhhhhhh I should probably wash mine... I've been using it since March 5 days a week.... EWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Haha thanks for the reminder!

scottb81

I have found that it still needs machine washing about every two weeks or it starts to malfunction.

mallorybriann

DITTO!!!

Oh, wow! I feel gross. I've NEVER washed mine.

pverbarg

probably depends a little on how much you're working out and at what intensity (and the old sweat factor). I generally wash mine every week (5-6 workouts). I just work in into Saturday laundry after long runs.

RachM

I feel gross, I've never washed mine. I've given it a good rinse once or twice...perhaps I should throw it in the washer!

jrueckert

I have used mine for about 2 weeks and I just barely washed mine in the washer. I was so scared that it would ruin it! But I did it just like the instructions say, so we'll see. I also rinse it after every use.

caitlinsmum

I rinse/handwash mine after every use and wash it in the washing machine once per week ...

ladybugz_247

wash it by hand too, I rinse if after every use but wash the actual strap every 5 days

TashaP2011

I will hand wash mine with woolite in the sink usually about once a week or every two weeks. I try to rinse it off after every workout too.

bpayne78

Does your strap come completely off the electrodes? I have the F6 and my elastic strap will detach completely from the electrode part. That part (the elastic strap) I might wash weekly (if I was able to work out much right now). But the electrode part I would just wipe down after each workout and you should be fine.

ETA: Not sure how comfortable I would feel putting the electrode part in the washer even if the directions told me to (don't remember reading that it could go in). I would just stick to putting the elastic strap in.....but that's just me.

kcmomof2

probably depends a little on how much you're working out and at what intensity (and the old sweat factor). I generally wash mine every week (5-6 workouts). I just work in into Saturday laundry after long runs.

This is exactly what I do. I rinse it after every workout, and throw it in the washer every weekend.

dad106

I wash my strap about once a week or once every two weeks. Whenever my under armor clothes go in the wash, so does my strap.

Just remember to not use any fabric softener and don't throw it in the dryer.. plain detergent and a line dry is best for it!

thisismynewmindset

I will hand wash mine with woolite in the sink usually about once a week or every two weeks. I try to rinse it off after every workout too.

I like this option... I just want to do it by hand (I know it might not make sense but I find it easier plus I am scared my washer and detergent will hurt it!). I will go buy some woolite and try this out... how long have you been doing it this way and does your HRM still work?

H_82

I workout pretty much every day & I throw mine in the washer every few days & rinse off after every workout...Otherwise I think it stinks & occasionally it won't read my heart rate. In fact, it's in the washer right now. I put it in a netted bag & throw it in w/ colors.

Edit to add, I've been doing this for a good year now.

Losing2Live69

I guess I didn't read all the directions when I got mine...I have the same one. I use it in the pool, so I rinse it thoroughly after each use. I didn't even realize we were supposed to wash them in the washing machine every 5th use. I have over 100 exercise sessions on my HRM and I have never laundered it, just rinsed it off. I guess when I do laundry today I will be throwing that in along with my clothes!! LOL! I am glad you posted this!

UpEarly

I put mine in a zippered mesh bag and toss it in with my warm-water load every weekend. The manual definitely says to machine wash in warm water at least every five uses, so that's what I do. :-)

pilotgirl2007

Maybe mine is different but it says not to machine wash it but to hand wash it. I hand wash mine or I take baby wipes to it after I workout. If I don't wash it down it doesn't read my HR right

ButterflyKristen

I wash strap and electrode in the shower with mild soap once in awhile. Every month or so I machine wash the strap. It never stinks.

Losing2Live69

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who didn't read all the instructions! LOL!! I think there are going to be a lot of people from all locations washing their chest straps today!!

Fattack

I rinse mine everday, but wash it by hand once a week. I daren't put it in my washing machine as it's a bit dodgy and sometimes overheats!

tbever

Hold on, I think I hear the washing machine calling!! Wow, after reading all these replies I am embarrassed to say that I have probably only machine washed mine maybe twice in over a year!! I had know idea that you were supposed to do it every 5th workout! Geez, now I feel all gross!!

Fattack

I workout pretty much every day & I throw mine in the washer every few days & rinse off after every workout...Otherwise I think it stinks & occasionally it won't read my heart rate. In fact, it's in the washer right now. I put it in a netted bag & throw it in w/ colors.

Edit to add, I've been doing this for a good year now.

Is your cat a British blue? I have a British Blue who likes to sit the exact same way!

thisismynewmindset

Yeah the instructions say to wash it in the machine after every 5th use (make sure your detergent has no bleech or fabric softener). But that's why I asked the question - because I am scared to machine wash it.

Sounds like some people are just hand washing it and it should be fine.

I found the following forum on the Polar HRM and washing the strap: http://forum.polar.fi/showthread.php?t=12365

iplayoutside19

I wait for it to crawl away. Then I draw and quarter it, and throw it in a load of laundry.

lovetowrite73

Yeah the instructions say to wash it in the machine after every 5th use (make sure your detergent has no bleech or fabric softener). But that's why I asked the question - because I am scared to machine wash it.

If the instructions say to machine wash it, why are you scared to do what the manufacturer instructs you to do? You get better reads when you wash the strap at least once per week. I've had friends on here who, after throwing their straps into the wash, got much better burns than when using a dirty strap (they were only rinsing it).

MissAnjy

I've never washed mine. I'm a sick, disgusting person :P
I rinse it under water before putting it on everyday, but that's the extent of it.