What Vinyl Poms Can Handle (and What They Can't)
Modern cheer poms are built mostly on vinyl, which is naturally water-resistant, colorfast, and easy to wipe down. Cleaning them is straightforward, but the finish on top of that vinyl determines how careful you need to be.
- Vinyl won't bleed color when wet
- It handles soap and water without losing shape
- It air-dries cleanly without stiffening
What vinyl can't handle is machine washing, hot water, harsh chemicals, or being wrung out like a towel. All of those can warp, crease, or permanently tangle the strands.
Cleaning by Finish Type
Cleaning Solid Vinyl Poms
Solid vinyl poms are the most forgiving to clean because there's no reflective coating to worry about. A simple rinse-and-dry routine works.
Step-by-Step Process
Hold the pom by the handle and run lukewarm water over the strands, letting dirt and debris wash through. If the pom is especially dirty from outdoor use, add a small amount of mild dish soap to your hand and gently work it through the strands in the direction they hang. Rinse until the water runs clear.
- Use lukewarm water and mild soap
- Rinse thoroughly to remove residue
- Hang by the handle to air-dry
Avoid bunching, twisting, or squeezing the strands together. Let gravity do the work during rinsing and drying.
How to Clean Metallic Poms
Metallic poms have a reflective foil layer that gives them that bright, mirror-like finish. That coating is what makes them eye-catching under arena lights, but it's also more sensitive to friction, creasing, and abrasive cleaning.
Step-by-Step Process
Use the same lukewarm water rinse as solid vinyl, but handle the strands more gently. Do not rub metallic strands against each other, as friction can scratch or peel the foil coating. If you need soap, use a very small amount and let it flow through the strands with the water rather than scrubbing.
- Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the strands
- Use minimal soap and let water do the cleaning
- Air-dry away from heat and direct sunlight
Once dry, fluff the strands outward from the handle before storing. If metallic strands have picked up creases during cleaning, gentle fluffing can smooth out minor ones, but deep creases from rough handling may be permanent.
Cleaning Holographic and Neon Poms
Holographic and neon finishes follow the same gentle approach as metallic. The prismatic layer on holographic poms is thin and can dull if scrubbed or exposed to chemicals. Neon finishes maintain brightness best when cleaned with water only.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and let soap flow through
- Do not scrub, twist, or wring
- Keep away from cleaning products with bleach or alcohol
- Hang by the handle and let air-dry completely
Drying and Storage: Where Most Teams Slip Up
Cleaning is only half the battle. How you dry and store poms after washing determines whether they stay performance-ready or end up flat and creased.
Drying
Always air-dry poms by hanging them from the handle. This lets water drip away naturally and prevents the tangling that happens when wet strands sit bunched together. Do not use a clothes dryer, hair dryer, or leave poms in direct sunlight. Heat warps vinyl and damages reflective coatings.
Storage Between Events
Once dry, store poms flat or hanging in a space with some airflow. A dedicated compartment in a cheer bag keeps them separated from heavy gear. Tight packing is the top cause of dull metallic and holographic finishes between washes.
Quick Fixes for Common Game-Day Messes
Not every cleaning job calls for a full rinse. Here are a few on-the-spot solutions:
- Mud splatter: let it dry, then shake or brush it off before rinsing
- Grass stains: wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap
- Sticky residue from tape or gym floors: dab gently with a cloth dampened with warm water
- Rain during a game: shake off excess water and hang-dry as soon as you get inside
For squads that perform outdoors every week, a quick rinse after each game keeps the set looking fresh through the full season.