Just like any other machine that needs oil changes and maintenance, your roller skates also need a little care to keep them rolling the way they should. Fortunately, roller skates’ maintenance is not difficult once you know how. Here are some quick tips to understand how to show your skates some love.

How do I know when my skates need maintenance?

If your skate wheels are not rolling easily, it’s definitely time for a tune-up.

You may also want to check your skates when they are –
• pulling to one side
• making clanking noises
• just don’t “feel right” while skating

In most cases, a cleaning and adjustment of your skates should be enough. However, your roller skates also need some maintenance on a regular basis.
What does roller skate maintenance involve?

Cleaning and drying

Every time you skate, even if you are skating indoors on a rink, the skates may gather some dirt, dust, and even sweat from your feet. Always do a quick wipe down of your skate boots and wheels with a soft, dry cloth to prevent dirt from accumulating. Always air dry your skates after using them. However, do not place them directly in front of a fire or radiator, or a hair dryer! Excessive heat can ruin your boots since it can warp your boots.

Tightening or adjusting the parts

If you skate regularly, the vibrations from skating can lead to loosening of some parts of your skates, such as trucks, nuts, and stoppers. You should inspect your skates once a week to ensure everything is working well and to tighten any parts that may have come loose while skating.

Cleaning the skate bearings

Bearings are those parts of your skates that make sure your skates keep rolling freely and easily. How often you should clean your skate bearings depends on several factors. However, it is a good idea to do so every two to three months.The more you skate, the more frequently you should examine your skates for any sign of warping, loosening, dirt and debris. While skate bearings are built to allow the skate wheels to roll freely, debris may get stuck in the bearings, causing friction and preventing smooth movement. When you clean your skate bearings, you can remove any dirt and grime, so that your skates can keep rolling smoothly. If you have no idea how to clean your skate bearings (or any type of roller skate maintenance), either check out tutorials to learn how to maintain your skates.

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