How to Take Care of Cheerleading Poms

As a cheerleader, your pom poms are not just a flashy accessory, they're an extension of your body. Without fluffy, well-maintained poms, your routine takes a big hit. Typically, cheerleading poms are made of plastic materials, so taking care of them requires very little work. With a little maintenance, you can keep your poms looking good as new for years to come.

Hold your pom firmly by the strands and shake it hard four or five times for a quick fluffing. This is necessary after storing your poms for a while or when you want them to look especially fluffy for a big game or competition. After you've shaken your pom out in one area, grab another area of strands and shake again, repeating until you've covered the full surface of each pom. For a final touch, hold each pom by the handle and shake it out for a few seconds.

Pull the strands of your poms apart one-by-one for a thorough, but more time-consuming, fluffing method. Place your pom poms on the floor or on a flat surface. With the exception of the first 10 strands connected to the handle, which will come off if pulled too hard, pull each strand firmly until it is fully extended. Pull one strand out to the right and then the next strand out to the left, alternating directions until you've pulled all the strands. Comb through the strands gently with your fingers and shake the poms poms out by the handle when you've finished pulling the strands.

Run your pom poms under clean water, gently working a drop or two of mild soap throughout the strands and handles to wash them. Thoroughly rinse your poms free of soap and shake them out vigorously. Set them out on a clean towel or hang them up to dry in a well-ventilated space. Allow them to air dry completely before using them again.