Even if you just ride your electric scooter around the neighborhood, sooner or later, dirt, grease, and grime will accumulate and you’re going to have to clean it. The question is “How to properly clean your electric scooter?”
If you’re like a few other electric scooter owners and aren’t bothered by the dirt, it’s your choice. However, you should know that there are other reasons to keep the electric scooter clean. A clean scooter not only looks great, but performance is also often improved.
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Get Your Cleaning Supplies Ready
There are a few items you’ll need to properly clean your scooter. Simply rinsing it off with water won’t do the job.
You will need,
- A clean sponge
- An old toothbrush or other small brush
- Soap – preferably for vehicles and biodegradable
- A clean towel or two
You will also need a hose or a bucket filled with clean water.
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Cleaning Your Electric Scooter Step by Step
1. Gather your cleaning supplies
Before you start rinsing off your scooter, gather everything you are going to need. You don’t want to have to run inside for a sponge, soap or even a towel. It’s time-consuming and annoying.
2. Cover battery recharging port
You do not want to get soap and water on the charging port. Hopefully, you remembered to unplug the scooter before you started cleaning it. If not, unplug it immediately. This is not the time to charge it unless you enjoy electrical shocks.
A plastic bag or another type of waterproof material can be easily wrapped around the battery compartment if needed.
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3. Start rinsing the scooter off
Before you add soap, rinse the loose dust and dirt off. It will shorten the amount of time you’ll spend scrubbing it down. Be sure to rinse off the tires, dirt and debris can get between the threads interfering and reducing tires traction.
4. Start scrubbing
Oil and caked-on dirt will require a little labor on your part. Put some soap on the sponge and start tackling the grime that didn’t rinse off.
Dish soap will do the trick, and it is inexpensive. However, it can cause the paint to fade over time. Automotive cleaners are safer to use on motor paint, this includes electric scooters. It is just as effective at dissolving oil and removing stubborn debris as household liquid soap, sometimes more so.
5. Scrub Hard-to-Reach Places
Once you are finished cleaning with the sponge, you might notice dirt on some of the places that are harder to reach. This is when the old toothbrush comes in handy. With its firm bristles, it’s perfect for scrubbing. The long, narrow handle is ideal for getting into places you can’t reach with your hand or sponge.
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6. Rinse the soap off
You want to rinse the soap off before it dries. Otherwise, you’re left with unsightly soap spots all over your scooter. Double check and make sure all the suds are gone. It will only take a couple of minutes to give it a thorough rinsing.
7. Dry the electric scooter
It will probably only take one full-size towel to dry your scooter. Pay close attention to the area around the battery and charging port. Make sure you get underneath the scooter and around the wheels.
8. Apply a coat of scooter wax
Applying a coat of scooter was is the last step. It not only leave your scooter gleaming and it also helps to protect the paint.
With these tips, you can safely and easily keep your electric scooter clean with the high-level of performance you’ve come to expect.
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Why It’s Important to Clean Your Electric Scooter
Obviously, a clean scooter looks better. Everything shines and it looks almost new again. If appearance isn’t high on your list of priorities, performance should be. Keeping your electric scooter clean can:
- Reduce maintenance and repair costs
- Eliminate many electrical or other performance hazards
- Help ensure the scooter’s reliability
It doesn’t take long to clean a scooter, even though it does require a little manual labor on your part.
How Often Does a Scooter Need to be Cleaned?
This is a common question, especially for first-time scooter owners. There are two times that have almost everyone washing their scooters. When it is extremely dirty or when it’s going to be stored for an extended period of time.
Otherwise, it’s up to you to decide when and how often you clean it.