Why Cleaning Your Roller Skates is the Most Important Thing You Can Do

We know, we know – cleaning might not be the most glamorous part of skating. But trust us, a little TLC for your skates goes a long way. Not only will it improve your skating experience, but it'll also help your gear last longer. So, grab your tools, and let's dive into why and how to clean your skates, wheels, and bearings!

Why Bother Cleaning Your Skates?

Think about it: your skates go through a lot! They encounter dirt, dust, grime, and who knows what else on various surfaces. Over time, this buildup can lead to some not-so-fun consequences:

• Reduced Performance: Dirty wheels and gunked-up bearings can significantly slow you down and make your roll feel rough and uneven.

• Increased Wear and Tear: Grit and debris can act like sandpaper, grinding away at your wheels and bearing components, leading to premature wear and the need for replacements sooner than necessary.

• Safety Concerns: Sticky wheels or seized-up bearings can be dangerous, increasing the risk of falls and injuries.

• Noise Issues: Annoying squeaks and rattles can often be traced back to dirty wheels or bearings. A good cleaning can bring back that satisfying, smooth silence (except for the awesome sound of your wheels on the floor, of course!).

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Skate Cleaning Success:

Let's break down how to tackle each part of your skates:

1. Cleaning Your Boots and Plates:

• Wipe it Down: After each skate session, give your boots a quick wipe-down with a slightly damp cloth to remove surface dirt and sweat.

• Deep Clean (Occasionally): Be sure to avoid soaking the boots, especially if they're leather. Pay attention to areas where dirt tends to accumulate, like around the seams and where the plate is attached. Use a leather, suede or nubuck leather cleaning solution to clean more stubborn stains, or a very mild soapy water solution.

• Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, allow your boots to air dry completely away from direct heat.

• Inspect Your Plate: Check for any loose hardware and tighten as needed. Wipe down the plate with a cloth to remove any dust or debris.

2. Cleaning Your Wheels:

• Remove the Wheels: Using your skate tool, carefully remove the wheels from your trucks. Keep track of any spacers or washers.

• Wipe Down the Wheels: Use a cloth or paper towel to wipe away any visible dirt and grime from the wheel's surface. For stubborn buildup, you can use a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cloth, but avoid getting it on the bearings.

• Deep Clean (Periodically): Remove the bearings from your wheels beforehand so they do not get damaged, rusted and ruined by moisture. Grab a large bowl and fill it up with warm or hot water and your preferred grease-removing soap. Allow your wheels to soak in the solution for at least 5-10 minutes. Remove each wheel one by one and gently scrub (or use more force if necessary) away the dirt, grime, and debris. You can also opt for a cheap toothbrush for more stubborn spots.

• Inspect for Damage: While the wheels are off, take a good look at them. Check for any cracks, chips, or flat spots. If you notice significant damage, it's time for a new set!

3. Cleaning Your Bearings:

• Remove Bearings from Wheels: Carefully pop the bearings out of each wheel. There are specialized bearing removal tools for this. DO NOT USE THE AXLE OF YOUR PLATE, you can risk damaging the threads or even bending the axle.

• Shield Removal (If Applicable): Many bearings have removable shields (small metal or rubber discs on the sides). Gently remove these using a pin or the edge of a skate tool. Be careful not to bend them.

• Cleaning Options:

  • Liquid Solvent: The most effective way to clean bearings is with a bearing cleaner, a degreasing solvent, or isopropyl alcohol 70% or higher. Place the bearings in a container with a small amount of solvent and gently agitate them. You can also use a small brush (like an old toothbrush) to scrub away stubborn grime. Important: Never soak rubber-shielded bearings in harsh solvents for extended periods, as it can damage the rubber.

• Dry Completely: This is crucial! Any moisture left in your bearings will cause them to rust. Use compressed air if you have it, or let them air dry completely in a dry place. You can also gently pat them dry with a lint-free cloth.

• Lubricate: Once the bearings are completely dry, it's time to relubricate them with a high-quality bearing lubricant or skate oil. Apply a few drops to each bearing.

• Reassemble: If you removed the shields, carefully put them back on. Then, press the bearings back into the wheels.

• Reattach Wheels: Put your wheels back on your trucks, ensuring any spacers or washers are in the correct place, and tighten the axle nuts appropriately (not too tight, just enough so the wheel spins freely with a little wiggle).

How Often Should You Clean?

The frequency of cleaning depends on how often and where you skate. If you skate regularly in dusty or dirty environments, you'll need to clean more often. A good rule of thumb is to wipe down your boots after each session and aim for a wheel and bearing clean every few weeks to a couple of months. You'll know it's time when your roll starts to feel sluggish or you hear unusual noises.

Investing a little time in cleaning your roller skates will pay off in the long run with better performance, smoother rides, and gear that lasts. It's very wasteful to throw away perfectly good set of bearings that only need a gentle cleaning with an entire new set. Plus, there's something super satisfying about rolling on a freshly cleaned set of skates!

Got any skate cleaning tips of your own? Share them in the comments! And as always, if you have any questions or need supplies, please ask us. We're happy to help keep you rolling!

Keep Rollin'!

The Shauwney's Skate Palace Team