How to Clean Cheerleading Poms
Cleaning cheerleading pom-poms is not a difficult task -- you should clean them regularly to keep these popular spirit items looking shiny and new. Cheerleading pom-poms are manufactured in both plastic and holographic-coated plastic styles. Some pom-poms contain a mix of these two materials. Knowing what a particular set of pom-poms are made of is important concerning proper care. Pom-poms do not need to be cleaned after each game or event, unless they're soiled. Cleaning the pom-poms should occur at least once every two months.
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Things You'll Need
- Pom-poms
- Cloth rag
- Windex or similar cleaning agent
- Water
- Hair dryer
- Scissors
- Storage bag or vented plastic container
Instructions
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How to Clean Cheerleading Pom-Poms
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1
Determine what materials were used to manufacture the pom-poms. A sticker is sometimes attached to the plastic hand holding portion of the pom-poms detailing the materials. Looking at the pom-poms also will aid in determining the materials used: Plastic pom-poms are one color per strand. Holographic pom-poms are smoother to the touch than plastic and are iridescent.
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2
Spray a cloth rag with Windex or a similar cleaning agent designed for glass. Hold the pom-poms loosely in one hand and gently rub the rag along a small grouping of the plastic pom-pom strands.
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3
Dampen a cloth rag with a small amount of water to clean holographic pom-poms. Windex or a similar cleaning agent can discolor holographic pom-poms. Hold strands loosely in a hand and rub the damp rag along the strands. Cleaning plastic pom-poms with water or getting water on the plastic strands when dealing with mixed material pom-poms will not cause harm.
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4
Turn a hair dryer on low heat or cold. Hold the hair dryer at least one foot away from the pom-poms and dry. Turn the pom-poms around often and shake while drying. Storing the pom-poms away damp will cause mildew. Do not allow the pom-poms in direct sunlight to dry, as this may cause fading or wrinkling of the pom-pom strands.
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5
Cut stained strands from the pom-poms. Cutting stained strands from a pom-pom that won't come clean is rarely noticeable and will not dislodge other strands. Strands often rip or tear over time and blend in with other strands when used by cheerleaders at events or games. Cut the stained strand as far down from the plastic connector near the hand holding area as possible.
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6
Store the pom-poms in a vented plastic container or athletic ball bag after cleaning. Storing the pom-poms in an airtight plastic storage container can cause heat damage and melting.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can't determine the type of material, contact the manufacturer for advice with cleaning. If you can find a purchase order pertaining to the pom-poms, it will list the type of material used in creation of the items.
