Cleaning the surface of the treadmill is a process which should, at the very least, be performed daily, however in most cases, is performed between workouts. Wiping down the treadmill takes only a few moments and is easy to perform. The items required to accomplish this task is a soft, clean towel and a mild/diluted solution such as; Formula 409, Fantastic or Simple Green. Do not use solutions with alcohol, ammonia or solvents as these chemicals will fade the finish of the treadmill and can eventually eat away plastic surfaces.
When wiping down the tread, spray the solution onto a towel and never directly onto the treadmill (this could compromise electrical components and will overtime fade the finish of the unit.) The purpose of cleaning and sanitizing is to remove both sweat and debris, which both have key factors that commonly corrupt material. Sweat, when left on a metal surface for an extended period of time, can cause rust to form on that area, creating an irremovable mark which will only spread further. Other foreign debris can cause similar damage to metals and plastics if not removed, however the greater threat displayed by debris is its ability to damage mechanical and electrical components.
Avoid using moist towelettes on cardio equipment, especially consoles or housings of electrical components (regardless of fitness industry popularity). When these excessively moist towels are utilized, they leave a heavy coating of moisture on the surface of the unit. This dense accumulation of moisture then seeps into openings and can cause corruption to electrical components. Overtime this direct moisture will also fade and smear the finish of the unit.
When treadmills are wiped down consistently and correctly, it will enhance the cosmetic quality and keep the unit properly disinfected.
