How to Maintain Inline Skates and Roller Skates

Maintaining roller skates and inline skates involves various steps, some of which need to be performed more frequently than others. Proper maintenance ensures the longevity and performance of your inliners or roller skates, and it makes your time on wheels more enjoyable and safer.

This guide will cover essential tips and tricks for maintaining your skates, including protecting them, cleaning them, and keeping the wheels and bearings in top shape. Additionally, it will point you to more thorough guides and articles about specific maintenance methods.

How Do I Clean My Skates?

The method for cleaning inliners and roller skates depends on the specific model. For instance, if you have removable liners, you can take them out and wash them thoroughly, whereas built-in liners are a different story.

If they have a hard boot, you can scrub them more vigorously with a sponge, whereas a soft boot requires a gentler approach.

Deep Cleaning inliners or Roller Skates

  • Disassemble the Skates: Remove the wheels, bearings, and if possible, remove the liners.
  • Clean the Boots: Use a sponge with mild soap and water to clean the surface of hard boots. Soft boots should be treated more gently with a soft cloth, and they should not be soaked completely.
  • Wash the Liners: If your liners are removable and washable, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Generally, you can wash them in a machine with a gentle detergent at a temperature no higher than 30°C (86°F). Air-dry them in a well-ventilated area and avoid using a dryer as this can cause them to shrink and deform.
  • Clean the Wheels and Bearings: Wipe down the wheels with a damp cloth. Clean your bearings by following this guide: How to Clean and Lubricate Bearings

How to Wash Inline and Roller Skate Liners?

The inner boot, also known as the liner, can often be removed and washed. Always follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer to avoid damaging them. If you don’t have the manufacturer’s instructions to washing your skate liners, here’s a general method:

  • Remove the Liners: Take out any insoles you are using.
  • Wash the Liners: Place them in the washing machine with a gentle detergent. Do not wash at a temperature higher than 30°C (86°F).
  • Air-Dry the Liners: Hang them in a well-ventilated place to dry. Never use a hair dryer.

If your skates have built-in liners, you won’t be able to wash them. However, you can spray them with anti-bacterial shoe deodorants to combat smell. Be extra careful to leave them in a well ventilated place after each session, and consider looking into a boot-dryer if necessary.

How Can I Dry My Inline or Roller Skate Liners Quickly After Wash?

If you need to speed up the process of drying your liners, you can stuff them with towels or news paper to absorb the moisture from the liners. Always ensure proper ventilation of the room in which you are drying the liners.

Note: Never use a hair dryer or other heating devices to dry your skate liners. This can cause them to shrink and deform.

What Can I Do to Prevent Smelly Liners in Roller Skates and Inliners?

Is there anything you can do to avoid stinky liners? Odor build-up results from bacteria growth, and warm, moist liners are a perfect environment for this.

Avoiding bad smells in skate liners seems impossible, but you can slow down the process significantly.

Ventilating Your Skate Liners Helps a Lot

After each skating session, leave your skates in a well-ventilated place to dry out. This helps to slow down the development of bad odors caused by moisture and bacteria. If your skates have removable liners, take them out to air dry. If they are washable, wash them regularly to keep them fresh.

To minimize bad smells inside your skate liners, always do the following after your sessions:

  • Open the liners as much as possible and leave them in a well-ventilated area after skating. Always take your skates out of the bag!
  • Take out the insoles to let them air out (if you use insoles).
  • Consider using an anti-bacterial shoe deodorant.

By incorporating these habits into your routine, you can keep your inline or roller skate liners fresher for longer and enjoy your sessions without worrying about unpleasant odors.

How Often Should I Clean My Bearings?

The frequency with which you need to clean and lubricate your bearings depends on how often and under what conditions you are out roller skating or blading. If you roll frequently or in environments where dirt or moisture is prevalent, you'll need to clean and lubricate your bearings more often than someone who skates only clean surfaces and only occasionally.

Here are key signs it's time to clean your bearings:

  • Performance Deterioration: If your bearings start to perform worse, it’s time for a cleaning.
  • Unusual Sounds: If you notice your bearings sounding different, it could be due to dirt or debris inside them. Cleaning can help prolong their life.

If now is the time to change your bearings or clean and lubricate them for optimized performance, we have you covered with both the products and the information needed to improve your skating experience by either cleaning and lubricating your existing bearings, or replacing them with completely new bearings:

How to Remove Inline Skate Bearings?

Removing inline skate bearings can be done with or without specialized tools. Follow these steps to remove your bearings effectively.

Start by taking off your wheels. Simply loosen the axles and bolts with an allen key.

Note: Keep your wheels in order so that you can either mount them in the exact same position or rotate them properly.

Removing Bearings Without a Specialized Tool

Use an Allen key to pry out the bearings. Each wheel holds two bearings and a spacer. Make sure that you are prying on the edge of the bearing itself and not the spacer. Once the first bearing is out, flip the wheel to remove the second bearing.

In this video, you can see how bearings can be removed without a specialized bearing remover

Removing Bearings with a Bearing Remover / Blade Tool

A bearing remover simplifies the process a lot, and there is no need to worry about doing anything wrong. It lets you pull the edge of the bearing rather than prying at it.

Just place the bearing removal tool in the center-hole of the bearing and pull at the inner edge of the bearing.

Most blade tools come with a bearing puller, find yours:

Rotate Wheels on Inline Skates

When you skate, you push to the side, and you end up wearing the wheels faster on one side than on the other. To prolong the lifespan of your wheels – and to ensure a smooth ride – it is recommended that you rotate and flip your wheels every now and then.

Inspect your wheels and check for uneven wear. If the wheels’ inside edge is worn significantly more than the outside edge, it is time to rotate your wheels.

You need to rotate your wheels correctly to get the best results.

Basic wheel rotation on inline skates

On basic 4-wheel inline skates, you rotate and flip the wheels in a cross pattern between the left and right skates. Label the wheels number 1 - 4 and rotate in the pattern 1-3 / 2-4.

Is Rotating the Wheels on Inline Skates Necessary?

Rotating the wheels is essential for even wear and prolonging the life of your wheels. Rotating the wheels regularly will keep them rolling smoothly for a longer time before they eventually have to be replaced. When you rotate your wheels, you start to wear on a new part of the wheel, so the wheels roll with less friction.

In other words, rotating your wheels is not necessary – you can always buy new wheels to get that same result – but if you wish to get the most out of your wheels, it is recommended to rotate the wheels!

What Tools Do I Need to Maintain My Inline or Roller Skates?

For basic skate maintenance, you need:

  • Hex Key/Allen Key: This is the primary tool for removing and mounting wheels. It is also used to mount frames, brakes, and cuffs.
  • Blade Tool: Investing in a good blade tool is the best option because they have the necessary hex/allen keys and a proper bearing remover. They are an all-in-one solution that you can always bring on your trips.

Discover blade tools and much more:

Protect Your Skates With a Skate Bag

When not in use for longer periods, store your skates in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or damp environments. Excessive heat can warp plastic components, while moisture can lead to rust and mold.

Investing in a good skate bag is a smart move. Skate bags and backpacks are designed to securely hold store your quads or inliners and come with padding to protect your skates from bumps and scratches. Another real bonus to having a proper skate bag is that they make it easier to carry your skates wherever you go.

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