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If you’ve got a shiny new exercise bike and no idea how to clean it, you’re not alone.
Sales of indoor cycling equipment soared in 2020, with the uber-popular Peloton bike leading the way. But just because it’s in your house and not the gym, doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be cleaned regularly. In-home fitness equipment still very much needs routine wiping down.
It’s especially important to implement good cleaning practices in a home with more than one Peloton rider. If multiple people are using the machine, it’s more likely that germs and bacteria could spread and cause infection or illness.
How to clean Peloton bikes
A basic, post-ride cleaning is all you really need to keep your spin bike in good sanitary standing. To do this, simply take a very 2020 habit and apply it to your Peloton bike – just as we adopted regular, routine hand washing, plan to adopt a routine Peloton cleaning habit.
Cleaning your stationary bike after every ride will keep it in good working condition, eliminate the need for time-consuming deep cleans later, and, most importantly, keep the machine free of sweat and germs.
Cleaning a Peloton bike (or really any other piece of gym equipment) doesn’t require anything fancy or a specialty cleaning product. Amicrofiber cloth and a gentle all-purpose cleaning spray likeMrs. Meyer’s Everyday Cleaner is all you need to clean the Peloton.
Work from the top of the bike frame down, gently wiping each section. Pay special attention to high-contact areas like the handlebars, seat, and resistance knob — and anywhere else that may have gotten especially drenched in sweat.
To protect the machine from damage, avoid products that contain abrasives, bleach, ammonia or other harsh chemicals, and spray the cleaner on the microfiber towel, rather than directly on the bike. Do not saturate the cloth with the cleaning spray; it should be just-damp, and the machine and bike seat should not be wet post-cleaning. (If they are, wipe them dry with a fresh microfiber cloth). Pre-moistened cleaning wipes, likeClorox Wipes, which do not contain bleach, or even baby wipes, can also be used to clean the frame of your Peloton bike or treadmill.
A word about Peloton accessories
Peloton accessories shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to your post-spin wipe down, but since things like cleats and bike mats are less high-touch than the machine itself, they don’t need to be cleaned quite as frequently. Still, you may want to include them in your regular cleaning routine, since they both need nothing more than a wiping down with a gentle cleanser and a towel.
Your heart rate monitor, however, is high-touch and should be cleaned regularly; follow manufacturer instructions to ensure you don’t damage the monitor through improper cleaning.
Cleaning the Screen
Peloton’s official recommendation for cleaning the bike’s touchscreen is to wipe it down using a glass cleaner that is safe to use on LCD, plasma, or other flatscreens, such asEndust LCD and Plasma Screen Cleaner, and a microfiber cloth.
For convenience, screen cleaning wipes can also be used on a Peloton screen, though what you gain in ease you’ll lose in cost and waste, since disposable wipes are more expensive than reusable microfiber and create more trash. Always shut down the screen prior to cleaning by holding down the red button on top of the tablet.
Peloton says to clean the screen once per month, which is simply not often enough to keep bacteria at bay — especially on equipment that’s being shared by multiple people. Instead, plan to wipe the touchscreen off with a microfiber cloth or cleaning wipe after every ride. And, of course, don’t forget to wash your hands immediately after your workout!
One final handy tip for you: Keep your supplies like wipes, a spray bottle, and cleaning cloths in a bin or basket near your bike, along with your shoes and other accessories, for easy access.