How to Clean Your Rowing Machine

Sweat, dust and skin cells build up on a rowing machine. A quick wipe-down after each session and a deeper clean now and then keeps it hygienic and running smoothly. Always check your manual first, as materials and advice differ between machines.

What you need

• A soft, damp cloth and a dry cloth. Microfibre works well because it does not shed lint.
• Mild soapy water or a gentle cleaner. Avoid harsh solvents that can damage plastic or paint.
• A vacuum with a brush attachment, or a soft brush, for dust.
• Cotton buds or a soft toothbrush for small crevices around the rail and footplates.
• Light lubricant only if the manufacturer recommends it.

After every session

Wipe the handle, seat and monitor with a lightly damp cloth, then dry them. Sweat is acidic and corrodes metal over time, so dry the rail where your hands and seat rest. It takes about a minute, and does more for the life of the machine than any deeper clean. If you use a towel on the seat, wash it regularly.

Monthly clean

1. Switch off or unplug any powered machine. Many air and water rowers have no mains power, so just remove the batteries from the monitor if the manual says so.
2. Dust the frame. Vacuum or wipe the flywheel cage, rail ends and footplates. Air rowers collect dust and hair near the fan, and that can slow the flywheel slightly or make the monitor misread. Do not blast compressed air into the monitor or sensors.
3. Clean the rail. Wipe the full length where the seat wheels run, so they glide quietly. Grit on the rail is the main cause of a rattling or sticky seat.
4. Wash the seat and handle. Use mild soapy water, rinse the cloth and dry well. Foam grips can hold sweat, so let them dry fully.
5. Clean the monitor gently with a barely damp cloth. Never spray liquid onto it.
6. Check the straps and bolts. Tighten anything loose and replace frayed straps. Look at the handle, the chain or strap and the seat wheels for wear.

Disinfecting shared or heavily used machines

If several people use the machine, wipe the handle and seat with a disinfectant wipe or spray that is safe for the materials, following the label’s contact time, then wipe off any residue and dry. Spray onto the cloth rather than the machine, particularly near the monitor. Avoid bleach on painted or plastic parts.

Chains and lubrication

Chain-driven air rowers need oil on the chain from time to time. On a Concept2 RowErg, that means every 50 hours of use: put a teaspoon of purified mineral oil, 3-IN-ONE or 20W motor oil on a paper towel and rub it along the whole chain. Do not clean the chain with a solvent such as WD-40. Other machines differ, so follow your manual rather than a general rule, and wipe off any excess so it does not attract dust. If you own a RowErg, our list of things you may not know about the Concept2 RowErg covers more of what the machine can do.

Water rowers

Water tanks need separate care. Follow WaterRower’s own guidance on what to add and how often, and do not use household bleach unless the manual says so.

A simple schedule

How often	Job
Every session	Wipe handle, seat and monitor; dry the rail
Monthly	Dust the frame and flywheel area; clean the rail; check straps and bolts
Every few months	Check chain or strap for wear; lubricate only if the manual says to
Yearly	Deep clean, inspect the frame and replace worn parts

It is a small routine for protecting what you paid for, and our guide to why rowing machines are so expensive shows what the rail, flywheel and monitor add to the price.

Mistakes to avoid

1. Soaking cloths and letting water run into the monitor or flywheel housing.
2. Using strong solvents on plastic and paint.
3. Over-oiling the chain.
4. Ignoring a rattle. It is usually grit or a loose bolt.

Shared machines

If you use a gym or club machine, wipe it down before and after. Our dos and don’ts of rowing machine workouts covers etiquette. If you are still looking for one to use, see where to find rowing machines near you.

For other upkeep, see how to maintain your rowing equipment and the rowing machines hub.