Instead of using harsh chemicals, you can make a natural antifungal spray to apply to sports equipment. This simple recipe with plant-based antimicrobial properties can help disinfect your equipment after use and maintain its cleanliness. Help combat ringworm and athlete’s foot with this homemade antifungal spray.
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My son participates in taekwondo and had a nasty bout with ringworm. It was determined that the source of the infection was his sweaty, dirty sparring gear. After consulting with his pediatrician and coach, the remedy was treating his lesions with a prescription antifungal cream and washing and treating his sparring gear.
First, I washed his gear in the washing machine using hot water. Afterward I sprayed it with a Clorox bleach solution and allowed it to dry completely. Now, for maintenance, I use a homemade antifungal spray on his equipment every time after he uses it and thankfully, we haven’t had any further issues.
About Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are quite common in athletes and are transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment. Ringworm affects the skin where prolonged contact with the contaminated surface creates a red rash. Athlete’s foot affects the feet, usually from contact with contaminated footwear or floor coverings. Skin lesions should be assessed and treated by a medical doctor.
Fungi like to grow in dark, moist areas like a gym bag or shoe. To help prevent fungal infections, you will want to disinfect your sports equipment after use and make sure it is clean and dry before it is stored.
Weather permitting, I hang my son’s gear on the clothesline to disinfect and let it dry. Exposure to sunlight also helps with decontamination.
Materials Needed for Making a Natural Antifungal Spray for Sports Equipment
I use amber glass bottles for my antifungal spray because it provides UV protection for the essential oils that are in the recipe. A funnel makes filling the bottle less messy. The liquid measuring cup and pipette are for measuring out ingredients.
Ingredients Needed for Making a Natural Antifungal Spray for Sports Equipment
- 1 ¾ cups distilled water
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops clove essential oil
Using distilled water, instead of tap water, reduces the risk of microbes or minerals compromising the performance of your antifungal spray. Vinegar is added because it is a powerful, nontoxic cleaning and disinfecting agent. The essential oils that I chose to incorporate are known to have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. You can customize this blend to your liking or use oils that you are partial to.
Directions for Making a Natural Antifungal Spray for Sports Equipment
- Remove the spray top from your amber bottle and place the funnel on the opening
- Measure out 1 ¾ cups of distilled water in your liquid measuring cup and pour it through the funnel into the amber bottle
- Measure out ¼ cup distilled white vinegar in your liquid measuring cup and pour it through the funnel into the amber bottle
- Remove the funnel
- Using a pipette, measure out 10 drops of tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon, and clove essential oil (or the oils of your choosing) and put them in the amber bottle
- Screw the spray top back on the amber bottle
- Gently shake the bottle to disperse the ingredients and apply to your sports equipment
- Allow your sports equipment to dry before storing
Mother, farmer, author, and teacher by trade… She loves tending to things and watching them grow!