# How to clean an exercise bike or spin bike Source: https://rowandspin.co.uk/blog/how-to-clean-an-exercise-bike Published: 2026-10-12 Publisher: Row and Spin **In short:** Wipe the bike after every ride with a soft cloth dampened with water and a little mild washing-up liquid, then dry it. Clean screens with a dry or barely damp microfibre cloth, never spray liquid onto the bike directly, and avoid harsh solvents and bleach. Unplug powered bikes first and check the maker's cleaning advice. Sweat is the main enemy of an exercise bike. It is salty, it drips onto the frame, the flywheel cover and the bolts, and over time it can mark paint, stiffen adjusters and start rust. A short clean after each ride prevents most of this. This guide covers what to use, how to clean each part, how to look after screens on bikes such as Peloton, and how to keep rust away in a garage or a damp room. ## What you need Avoid bleach, ammonia, solvents and abrasive pads. They can damage paint, plastics and screen coatings. If your maker recommends a specific cleaner, use that. - Two soft microfibre cloths, one damp and one dry - Warm water with a few drops of mild washing-up liquid - A dry microfibre cloth for the screen or console - A soft brush for vents and gaps - A towel to put over the handlebars during rides ## After every ride Spray-free cleaning is the rule. Apply cleaner to the cloth, not to the bike, so liquid does not run into the console, the resistance mechanism or bearings. 1. Unplug the bike if it has a mains-powered screen or console. 2. Wipe the handlebars, saddle and console surround with the damp cloth. 3. Wipe the frame, especially under the handlebars where sweat drips. 4. Wipe the flywheel cover and the area around the pedals. 5. Dry everything with the second cloth. ## Screens and consoles Touchscreens, such as those on Peloton bikes, scratch easily and have coatings that harsh cleaners can damage. Wipe them gently with a dry microfibre cloth. For fingerprints, use a cloth barely dampened with water. Peloton's own support pages give its current cleaning advice for screens. Simple LCD consoles can be wiped the same way. Never spray onto the console, and keep liquid away from buttons and the battery compartment. If you use a tablet on a holder, clean it as its maker advises. ## Saddle, handlebars and pedals Saddles and handlebar grips take the most sweat. Wipe them with the damp, soapy cloth and dry them. A towel draped over the handlebars during rides catches a lot of drips. Clean pedal cages and straps occasionally. On clip-in pedals, brush dirt out of the mechanism so cleats engage cleanly. Our guide to [spin bike shoes and pedals](https://rowandspin.co.uk/blog/spin-bike-shoes-and-pedals) covers the different pedal types. ## Deeper clean every few weeks Every few weeks, brush dust out of vents and gaps around the flywheel cover. Check the seat post and handlebar post: wipe them and the adjusters so they slide freely. Check bolts while you are there. Lift the bike or tilt it on its wheels to clean the mat and floor underneath. Sweat and dust collect there and can mark the floor. See [do you need a mat under a bike](https://rowandspin.co.uk/blog/rowing-machine-and-bike-mats). Note: Let the flywheel stop before cleaning near the pedals. Keep fingers away from any gap around the flywheel and drive. ## Keeping rust away Bikes in garages, conservatories and damp rooms are prone to rust on bolts, the flywheel and adjusters. Dry the bike thoroughly after cleaning, keep it away from open windows and use a breathable cover between sessions. Air from a fan blowing across the bike during rides helps sweat dry faster, which also cuts down the drips that reach the frame and flywheel cover. A light film of a protective spray on exposed bolts can help, but keep it off the flywheel braking surface, belts, saddles and handlebars. If a friction spin bike has a rusty flywheel, check the manual before doing anything to the braking surface. ## Linked jobs Cleaning is a good time to listen for noises and check moving parts. Our guides to [exercise bike knocking noises](https://rowandspin.co.uk/blog/exercise-bike-knocking-noise) and [spin bike chain and belt care](https://rowandspin.co.uk/blog/spin-bike-chain-and-belt-care) help if something sounds wrong, and [making an exercise bike seat more comfortable](https://rowandspin.co.uk/blog/exercise-bike-seat-comfort) covers saddle covers that can be washed separately. If you are choosing a bike, compare the options in our [best exercise bikes](https://rowandspin.co.uk/best/best-exercise-bike-uk) and [best spin bikes](https://rowandspin.co.uk/best/best-spin-bike-uk) guides. [See our best exercise bikes](https://rowandspin.co.uk/best/best-exercise-bike-uk) ## Frequently asked questions **Can I use antibacterial wipes on an exercise bike?** Many makers allow mild wipes on the frame, but check the manual and avoid harsh wipes on screens and saddles. **How do I clean a Peloton screen?** Gently, with a dry or barely damp microfibre cloth. Check Peloton's support pages for current advice. **Why is my exercise bike rusting?** Sweat and damp. Wipe and dry it after each ride and keep it out of damp spaces where possible. **Should I spray cleaner directly onto the bike?** No. Spray onto the cloth so liquid does not run into the console or the resistance mechanism. ## Buying guides on this topic - https://rowandspin.co.uk/best/best-exercise-bike-uk - https://rowandspin.co.uk/best/best-spin-bike-uk - https://rowandspin.co.uk/best/best-peloton-alternative-bike ## Sources - [Peloton UK](https://www.onepeloton.co.uk/)