If you own a treadmill, you know how important it is to keep it well-maintained so it can continue functioning smoothly. One crucial aspect of maintaining your treadmill is cleaning the deck. Over time, dust, dirt, and other contaminants can build up on the deck and cause unnecessary wear and tear on the machine. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to properly clean a treadmill deck.
How to Clean the Treadmill Deck?
To clean the deck and the entire home treadmill, use a regular, lint-free dusting cloth
. Soak it in water without using any cleaners.
Unplug the treadmill. Use the tension bolts to loosen the running belt. Reach your hand under the canvas and wipe the deck.
It is good idea to Pay special attention to the point of contact between the canvas and the frame. Do this cleaning once a week.
How Often Do You Need to Clean a Treadmill Deck?
The most common reason of the premature deck is the accumulation of dirt and debris. For this reason, the deck and canvas should be cleaned at least once a month.
The space on both sides of the canvas and the open parts of the deck should be cleaned. Every week, wipe the exposed parts of the machine with a damp cloth or sponge and clean the engine area at least 3 times a year. When cleaning the engine, follow the instructions in the owner’s manual.
Why Clean Treadmill Deck?
Dust that gets between the deck and the canvas – acting in this case as an abrasive- has an aggressive effect, causing irreparable damage to the simulator.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning a Treadmill Deck
For better understand we have divided these processes into step by step guides. Follow here:
Step 1: Loosen the Rear Roller
The first step in cleaning your treadmill deck is to loosen the rear roller. You can do this by turning the adjustment bolts on each side of the machine. Start by taking five turns from one side, then the full ten turns on the other, and then the final five turns on the other side.
Step 2: Clean the Belt and Deck with old towel or old t-shirt
With the rear roller loosened, you can now clean between the belt and deck to remove any contaminants. Take an old towel or an old t-shirt and shove it all the way up under the belt. Move it move the towel back up to the front, and go ahead and do that one more time to clean the entire area. Then, grab the belt with both hands and rotate the belt it to clean the part of the belt underneath the machine.
Step 3: Lubricate the Belt and Deck
After thoroughly cleaning the belt and deck, it’s time to lubricate them. Take roughly a teaspoon of lubricant and place it between the belt and deck in the center. Repeat this process on the other side, wiping off any excess oil. Then, use your hands to move the belt around to spread the lubricant evenly.
Step 4: Retighten the Belt
Once you clean a treadmill belt and deck are lubricated, retighten the belt. Start by putting five turns on one side, then the full ten turns on the other, and then the final five turns on the other side.
Step 5: Check the Alignment
To ensure that the belt is aligned correctly, start the machine at a low speed and watch where the belt is tracking. If the belt appears to be pulling to one side, tighten the bolt on the opposite side in small increments of about a quarter of a turn.
Step 6: Test the Machine
Once you’re confident that the belt is aligned correctly, turn the speed up and see how it reacts. Walk on the machine a little bit to distribute the lubricant, and then the cleaning process is complete.
As we wrote above, proper cleaning of the product is necessary for such lubricant application to do nothing but harm since dust and dirt are an abrasive substance that is important to remove if you want to repair the simulator or even buy a new one.
How to Lubricant Treadmill Deck after Cleaning
First of all, we want to draw your attention to the fact that it is not the running belt that needs lubrication, but the deck itself, because the inner side of the belt is made of woven polyester, which already indicates that it has an excellent slip coefficient.
Here are a few rules for lubricating the deck:
- Loosen the tension of the track by turning the same number of times the adjusting bolts on both sides;
- Halfway up the walking belt, lift it up and, moving parallel to the motor housing or across the running belt, apply lubricant;
- Tighten the adjusting bolts back exactly the same number of turns as was done when loosening the blade;
- For 2-3 minutes, turn on the treadmill at a speed of 3-5 km / h to evenly distribute the lubricant over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe belt, as well as to check its centering;
- The grease that has come out along the edges of the track must be removed with a lint-free cloth.
After the procedures, do not rush to immediately run, walk along the canvas for 5-10 minutes and only after that start running.
FAQ
To further help, here are some answers to questions you may have about Cleaning the Treadmill Deck.
Can I use any lubricant on the treadmill deck?
No, it’s recommended to use lubricant made especially for treadmills. Incorrect lubricant usage might harm the device and violate the warranty.
What should I use to clean the treadmill deck?
The best way to remove any debris is to use an old, dry towel or cloth.
How do I know when the deck needs cleaning?
If you notice the belt slipping or sticking or if the machine makes a lot of noise during use, it may be time to clean or lubricate the deck.
How long does it take to clean and lubricate a treadmill deck?
Cleaning and lubricating the treadmill deck should take about 15-30 minutes, depending on the size and model of your machine.
Can I use any towel or cloth to clean the deck?
Using a soft, lint-free cloth or towel or paper towel is best to clean the deck.
How can I tell if I’ve applied enough lubricant to the deck?
Only a small amount of lubricant must be applied to the deck, often around a teaspoon. You might see extra lubrication leaking over the sides of the deck if you’ve used too much.
Conclusion
Cleaning the deck of your treadmill is essential to maintaining the machine’s longevity. With these simple steps, you can keep your treadmill running smoothly and efficiently for years to come. Remember to regularly clean and lubricate your treadmill deck to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your machine.