Maintenance and Cleaning of the Treadmill

A treadmill is one of the most prized items in a gym. For this reason, it requires careful maintenance to ensure you enjoy an excellent ROI. Cleaning a treadmill is an easy job and should be done after every use. It’s also best to schedule a thorough clean weekly or monthly.

However, let’s say you run a public gym or share a treadmill with other people. Here, it’s likely to get dirty quickly. In such a setting, focus on disinfecting the treadmill in areas where people touch.

Here’s how to clean the treadmill.

How to Clean My Treadmill

A treadmill requires thorough cleaning on all surfaces, inside and around the treadmill. To clean the surfaces, you’ll need to have a sponge, a piece of cloth, and a cleaning agent or a disinfectant. For you to clean the inside and the surrounding area, you’ll need a vacuum cleaner.

As you run on the treadmill, dust and debris stuck underneath your shoes can come off and slide below the treadmill. If left uncleaned, dust can accumulate and clog the treadmill’s motor. Therefore, once a week, lift the rear side of the treadmill or use the incline feature to lift it. Then vacuum the surface below the treadmill and the surrounding area.

Clean the Treadmill After Using It

After using a treadmill, sweat is likely to get on the surface. This sweat can corrode the treadmill metal if left uncleaned. So, daily cleaning should focus on the treadmill surface where you touch.

This includes cleaning treadmill belt where you run. It’s likely to collect dirt from your shoes as well as drops of sweat. Turn on the treadmill to move the belt at a low speed, then press a wet sponge on the belt as it rotates to clean it.

For shared treadmills, wiping helps to kill germs and limit the spread of contagious diseases. Therefore, use a sanitizer to wipe the handles, buttons, switches, and any contact surface.

Do not spray the cleaning agent directly to the treadmill. This liquid can sip in and cause corrosion to the treadmill. Instead, spray the cleaning agent to a towel or a cleaning cloth and use it to wipe the treadmill surface.

Cleaning the display screen should be done using a fine microfiber cloth to prevent scratching. Touch screens can easily collect germs and fingerprints, so they should also be cleaned using a disinfectant.

Monthly Treadmill Maintenance

Every month, ensure you vacuum inside the treadmill. To do this, unplug the power supply. Next, remove the screws from the motor’s cover. Following the treadmill manual, open the motor’s cover located at the front base area. Vacuum the area around the motor to remove dust and dirt.

Then, vacuum the area under the belt. Alternatively, use a long piece of cloth. Pass it under the belt from one side until it comes off from the other side. Move the cloth under the belt to wipe off dust. Ensure the cloth you’re using is dry or partly wet to prevent moisture in the treadmill.

After cleaning the treadmill belt, add some lubricant. To do this, first, loosen the belt. Use an Allen wrench to turn the bolts. Once the belt is loose, lift it up with one hand and apply one ounce of the lubricant underneath it. This will help to keep the belt running smoothly.

Finally, tighten the belt back to its place. If you feel that the belt is wiggling or sliding, it might be loose. Use an Allen wrench to tighten the bolts to make the belt tighter. A loose belt can create discomfort during exercise and even cause injury.

In addition to stretching, ensure your belt is properly aligned. Sometimes the belt may be pushed to one side because the treadmill is not on a flat surface. This may cause one edge of the belt to wear out faster than the other edge. Turn the bolts on either side of the treadmill, either clockwise or anti-clockwise, until the belt is aligned to the center.

The Importance of Tool Maintenance

For you to get the most out of your treadmill plus increase its useful life, routine maintenance is a must. Treadmill maintenance helps to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. This exercise helps minimize downtime and ensures the fitness solution is more reliable.

Constant cleaning prevents dirt accumulation which can make future cleaning more difficult. Equally so, frequent maintenance helps to identify issues early enough and rectify them before they become serious problems.

Chances of the treadmill breaking down during use are minimized. With fewer breakdowns, you can save a lot in repair and replacement costs. A proper maintenance routine also helps slow down the deterioration rate, making the equipment more durable.

Cleaning helps the equipment to keep working properly. A fittingly functioning treadmill is good for your safety. It minimizes the risk of hazards plus limits the chances of injury.

Create A Maintenance Checklist

It’s easy to forget what parts of the treadmill you’re supposed to check. More so, when you have other equipment demanding your attention in your gym. So having a checklist showing all areas requiring constant maintenance can help.

Cleaning a treadmill after every use is key to keeping it running smoothly. Even so, day-to-day cleaning shouldn’t take too much of your time. Weekly maintenance should focus on vacuuming around the treadmill, while monthly maintenance should focus on lubrication and alignment.

In addition to cleaning, it’s important to place your treadmill on a flat surface to prevent misalignment. You can also protect your treadmill by placing it on a mat to absorb vibrations and protect the floor. A good maintenance routine keeps your treadmill working longer and gives you an excellent return on your investment.