Once you get into roller skating, it’s almost impossible not to buy your own skates. Today there are just so many awesome styles to choose from, not to mention the variety of accessories you can use to personalize your pair. Owning your own skates isn’t just a way to express your personal style; it also saves you money on rental fees when you come to the skating rink. Of course, the tradeoff is that you have to do your own roller skate maintenance.

Fortunately, taking care of roller skates isn’t hard at all! You just need a few tips, some simple cleaning supplies, and of course, you can always turn to that helpful know-it-all, YouTube.

How to Take Care of Roller Skates

Boots

Boots are the “shoe” part of roller skates, and just like regular shoes, they can get a bit funky without proper care. The most important thing you can do to take care of your skate boots is to make sure they dry out after use. The key is for them to air dry naturally. You never want to expose your skates to heat, because that can irreparably warp the boot. Don’t ever place your skates next to a heater or fireplace, and don’t use a hairdryer on them either. Too many skaters have tried these shortcuts and learned their lesson the hard way!

Instead, loosen your skate laces enough that you can pull the tongue out, creating a wider opening and allowing more airflow inside the boot. You should also wipe your skates down with a soft cloth after each use to remove dirt and debris. If the boots are made from leather or suede, it’s also a good idea to condition them with a product made for that particular material.

Bearings

Bearings are what allow your skate wheels to spin, so they’re kind of a big deal. Don’t be intimidated by cleaning your bearings. All you need are some paper towels, a bearings cleaning container or small jar, and some type of solvent–you can use white vinegar, isopropyl alcohol, or even lemon juice! Check out one of the many YouTube tutorials on how to clean skate bearings for a full rundown of the process.

Trucks

After skating, you should wipe down all parts of your skates with a soft cloth, including the trucks. It’s also important to tighten them regularly, ideally before each skating session. If the trucks are too loose, or if one is loose and the other is tight, you can end up losing control and hurting yourself or someone else on the rink.

Wheels

As with the rest of your skates, your wheels should be wiped down after use to remove dust or dirt. However, the main thing you need to do is inspect them for wear and tear. If you use soft skate wheels, they’re likely to wear down very quickly and will need to be replaced more often. Harder wheels can last longer, but you should still keep an eye on them so you can switch to a fresh set of wheels when they start to get worn down.

If you have questions or need to buy supplies and accessories for your skates, we’ve got you covered! Come on over to the Skate Moore pro shop and we can help get you set up with everything you need.