If you’ve got an electric scooter, ever wondered why bother cleaning it? Let me tell you, it’s really important and should be on your top to-do list.
Proper maintenance and regular cleaning keep your scooter running great and boost its lifespan. When your scooter is clean, it not only looks good but also performs better. Dirt can get stuck in the scooter’s crucial parts, like its joints, which can hamper its smoothness. And, cleaning your e-scooter regularly gets rid of that dirt, making it perform better overall.
But, how often do I need to wash my electric scooter?
On average, you should clean your electric scooter once a week or every 18 to 20 rides if you are a daily commuter. But if you ride your electric scooter occasionally for fun then cleaning once a month is sufficient.
Now, you might be scratching your head, how can you do it, don’t worry though! We’ve got you covered here. In this article, we’ll tell first, why cleaning matters, and the steps to do it effortlessly.
So, without wasting much time, let’s get started!
How To Clean Your Electric Scooter?
Over time, dirt and grime can build up on your scooter. It causes problems if you don’t clean it regularly. It can mess with parts like the wheels and handlebars, which affects how well your scooter works. Also, riding a dirty scooter isn’t fun.
To clean your electric scooter, use a damp cloth with a mild cleaning solution and wipe down the exterior part of the scooter. Ensure the water or cleaning solution will not reach the handlebars, brake levers, and other electric components. Use a toothbrush to clean the hidden parts of the scooter.
Now, let’s talk about how to clean your electric scooter. It’s quite simple. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
To clean your electric scooter well, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. If you’re not sure what to use, no worries, just read the below list carefully:
- An old toothbrush (or new if you can afford it)
- A soft sponge (so your scooter stays scratch-free)
- An automotive soap (suitable for your electric scooter)
- 1-2 buckets of water (half for soap, half for rinsing)
- 1 microfibre cloth
- Some lubricant or oil
Once you have these, you’re in all readiness to clean your electric scooter in the right way.
Note: It should be noted that you have to avoid using dish soap. The reason is that it might fade your scooter’s color after a few washes. That’s why buying the right automotive cleaners for safety is crucial.
Step 2: Prepare Your Electric Scooter
Now, it’s time to prepare your electric scooter to clean it. First of all, start by unplugging it and make sure the scooter is turned off. Covers its charging ports is also very important. Try taking out the battery if you can. But, if you can’t, just be careful not to get water near it.
If you don’t have plastic covers, you don’t need to worry about it. A waterproof material like a plastic bag also works well. It will protect the scooter’s electrical parts.
After covering some parts, put your electric scooter outside. Try parking in a bright area. It will help you see how dirty it is.
Before we move on to the next step, check if your scooter’s temperature is hot from recent use. If it does, give it some to cool down completely.
Step 3: Cleaning the Exterior Part
Removing Dirt
Your next step would be to take a close look at your e-scooter for any dirt or debris. It may cause problems, so better to remove it with a bare hand (if possible) or using a brush.
Most importantly, you have to pay attention to various parts, including:
- Handlebars
- Deck Mudguards
- Stem
- Brakes
- Fenders
- Lights
- Forks
Start by softly washing your scooter with water to get rid of most of the dirt. But, you have to be careful near electrical parts. Particularly, stay away from those that aren’t waterproof to prevent any harm.
Note: Please be gentle while brushing to avoid scratching the electric scooter’s surface. One mistake people often make is using too much water when cleaning their scooters. Make sure you’re not doing the same thing.
Washing With Detergent
Next, get 2 more buckets ready. One with soapy water and another just clean water for rinsing. Dip a soft sponge into the soapy (mild detergent) water. Then, dip a microfiber cloth in the water squeeze out extra water, and start scrubbing your scooter.
Wipe the scooter all over the main parts. Then, rinse the sponge in clean water from time to time to keep it working well.
Doing this will remove most of the dirt on your electric scooter. If there are tough stains, you might need to scrub a bit harder.
Rinse and Dry
Once you’ve done with the detergent process, rinse the soccer well with clean water. You can use a hose (long plastic tube) or a wet cloth for this.
Make sure there’s no soap left. Then, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the scooter and get rid of extra water.
Don’t forget that water and metal don’t get along. So, it’s essential to avoid rust and damage. You can use a dry cloth to any leftover moisture, especially in spots that can get damaged.
If you have an adult electric scooter, you might need more than one towel to dry it completely.
You just need to make sure that the scooter is completely dry before you clean the wheels, brakes, and other parts.
Important Point: Don’t use a hair blower to dry your e-scooter fast. It can get too hot and might damage the electrical parts and circuits.
Step 4: Cleaning the Wheels
Removing Wheel Debris
Electric scooter wheels can collect a ton of dirt and stuff, like stone, pebbles, etc. So, it would be better to clean them often. You can use the soft-bristled brush to get rid of them.
While you clean, check for any wear or damage. This is really important for keeping a good grip and performance. Particularly, it is quite necessary on different surfaces.
If your scooter’s wheels come off, it’s safer to remove them before cleaning. This will protect other parts. However, if they’re fixed, that’s fine too.
Cleaning the Tires
When you’re cleaning, make sure the tire cleaner you use is right for your scooter’s tires to avoid any problems. You should clean the sidewalls too because they can get dirty.
When you’re done, check for problems and also check tire pressure. This will save you time and help you catch issues early. See, if they are okay or not, if not, repair them.
Step 5: Lubricate All The Necessary Parts
To keep your scooter’s important parts working well, there’s one thing you can do after washing “lubrication”. You can use a lubricant with PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene).
Try putting a bit of lubricant on the chain and any other moving parts mentioned in your scooter’s manual. We recommend you use oil in several parts, including wheel and headset bearings, a folding mechanism, and a shock absorber.
This stops friction from harming your electric scooter’s key parts.
Step 6: Give It A Final Touch
Once you’ve cleaned and lubricated everything, do a final check:
- First of all, start looking for any parts you missed or tough stains.
- Then, make sure everything is completely dry before using your electric scooter again.
- Now, if needed plug in the charger.
Finally, make it a habit to clean your electric scooter every now and then. Trust us, it will repay you with smooth rides and its aesthetic appeal.
Why You Should Clean Your Electric Scooter?
Now that you’ve got the idea to keep your scooter clean and make it dirt-free, let’s talk about why it is important. Cleaning your e-scooter comes with many benefits:
1. Prevents Damage: Regular cleaning is important because dirt and grime can cause problems. They can get into moving parts, like the wheels and handlebars. It can affect your scooter’s overall performance. Also, these can make parts wear out faster and might mean you need to spend a lot to fix them.
2. Keeps Performance Smooth: When you do regular cleaning, it keeps your scooter running smoothly. Dirty particles can cause friction, which affects its performance. That’s why keeping it clean is necessary to maintain how well it works. Keeping it clean means it works great, giving you a smooth and comfy ride.
3. Boosts Safety: A clean electric scooter means a safer ride. Dirt can make surfaces slippery, which can be dangerous. Particularly, they’re threatening when you’re turning or stopping suddenly. When you do regular cleaning, it helps you see important parts like lights and reduces the risk of slipping or losing control. All in all, it makes your rider more safer and more fun.
5. Prevents Rust: You may not know that but dirt and moisture can make metal scooter parts rust if you don’t clean them regularly. And, when you do it regularly, it gets rid of moisture and keeps things safe. It also reduces the chance of slips and falls.
6. Extends Lifespan: Just like any vehicle, regular maintenance, such as cleaning, can help your electric scooter live longer. It removes dirt and pebbles and stops it from wearing out too soon. This saves you money on fixing or getting a new one. It also lets you enjoy your scooter for a longer time, making it a good investment.
7. Enhances Look: Riding a clean scooter is way better than a dirty one. Regular cleaning keeps it looking shiny and fun to ride. This shows you take good care of it and makes you feel proud. Also, a clean electric scooter gets noticed more and gets compliments. This gives you more confidence while riding.
8. Maintains Value: When you keep your electric scooter clean, it makes it worth more when you sell it. A scooter that looks good and is well taken care of is more attractive to buyers and can sell for a higher price. Regular cleaning shows you care about your scooter. It shows responsible ownership and ensures its longevity. This makes it a great choice for people wanting to buy a used or second-hand electric scooter.
5 Important Care Tips For Your Electric Scooter
Let’s see some essential tips that will help you keep your electric scooter clean:
- Clean your scooter regularly, as consistency is key.
- You need to store your electric scooter in a dry and clean place to protect it from dust buildup.
- When you are not using your scooter, use a cover over it.
- Never ever think of using strong chemical cleaners or powerful water jets. It will protect your scooter’s sensitive surfaces and parts.
- We recommend you check and tighten the screws after each washing. It will help you keep your scooter strong and safe for riding.
The Final Thought
That’s it, an electric scooter is indeed a cool and eco-friendly mode of way to get around. But, like any other vehicle, it needs some care to stay smooth and stylish.
That’s where cleaning comes in. Keeping your electric scooter clean is very important. It gives you a smooth and safe ride every time.
This way, you can make sure it runs well for a long time. Cleaning your scooter is like giving it a check-up to keep it strong and durable. When you do this, it helps your electric scooter stay in great shape for a longer period of time.
Additionally, when you clean it, you can take a close look at all the parts, which is quite necessary. This lets you find any problems early on. It means you can fix them before they become expensive.
All in all, as a rider it’s your responsibility to make sure that your electric scooter is clean. This is how you keep enjoying the best of it.