Treadmill maintenance comes down to four jobs.
Wipe the machine after every run, vacuum around it, and keep the belt straight.
Then lubricate the belt, but only if your manual says it needs it.
That last job is the one the manuals disagree on most.
Some manuals ask for lubricant every three months, and others every 180 hours of use.
One manual I read says its treadmill needs none at all.
So the honest answer to “how often?” sits in your own manual.
This guide shows you what to look for and what the manuals actually say.
I have not serviced or tested any treadmill for this guide, so I only state what I can source.
If you buy through our links we may earn a commission. It never affects what we recommend.
Key takeaways
- Wipe the console, handrails and belt edges after every session, because sweat leaves salt behind.
- Check your manual before you lubricate. The intervals I found run from every three months or 25 hours to every 180 hours.
- Use only the lubricant your manual names. Three name 100% silicone, but two name a supplied or approved product instead.
- Keep WD-40 and other petroleum products off the belt and deck unless your manual says otherwise.
- Unplug before you clean or adjust anything. Call the manufacturer or an engineer for burning smells, grinding or electrical faults.
Safety first for any treadmill maintenance
A treadmill has a moving belt, a motor and mains power.
So the safety rules come before any cleaning tip.
- Switch off and unplug the treadmill at the wall before you clean, adjust or lubricate it.
- Wait a few minutes afterwards if your manual says so, because the Schwinn 570T manual asks for five.
- Never touch a moving belt, and keep the power cord out from under your feet.
- Leave the motor control board cover alone, because that manual limits the job to approved service staff.
- Use parts and lubricant that the manufacturer supplies or approves.
- Store silicone lubricant out of reach of children, because the same manual says it is not for human consumption.
Where this treadmill maintenance advice comes from
How we researched this
- Maintenance pages from owner’s manuals came first: Schwinn 570T, LifeSpan TR800 and TR500, Sole F60, Spirit XT185 and Matrix T7xi.
- Support guides from Life Fitness, Argos Support and Fitness Options came next. I checked them against the guides that rank for this topic.
- This guide rests on reading alone. I have not serviced, cleaned or tested any treadmill.
- Those manuals are US-published and cover specific models, so your UK version may differ.
- I read every source on 8 November 2026, and manuals carry no dates.
Your own manual always outranks this guide.
If the two disagree, follow the manual, and ask the manufacturer if it is unclear.
Treadmill maintenance schedule by frequency
Here is a simple schedule built from those sources.
If your belt is slipping, skip to the troubleshooting table.
Where they disagree, I show the range.
| When | Job | What the sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Before each run | Look for loose, damaged or worn parts. Check the power cord and safety key. | Daily check in the Schwinn 570T manual. Life Fitness suggests testing the safety key. |
| After each run | Wipe the console, handrails and belt edges. Keep moisture low. | Schwinn manual. |
| Weekly | Vacuum around and under the machine. Check the rollers run smoothly. | Fitness Options and Argos Support say weekly. The Sole F60 manual says monthly. |
| Every few weeks to monthly | Check the belt sits centred. Check bolts and screws are tight. | Life Fitness says every few weeks. Schwinn says monthly or every 20 hours. |
| Every other month | Feel between the belt and deck for lubricant. | Spirit XT185 manual. |
| Every 3 months or set hours | Lubricate, if your model needs it. | Schwinn 25 hours, LifeSpan 40 to 50 hours, Sole and Spirit 180 hours. |
| Once or twice a year | Unplug, then vacuum the motor area if your manual allows it. | Sole says once a year. Fitness Options says every six months. |
| Any time something changes | Use the troubleshooting table below. | Life Fitness and Argos Support. |
How to clean a treadmill after each session
In treadmill maintenance, a quick wipe does more than an occasional deep clean.
Sweat dries and leaves salt, and salt is hard on metal and electronics.
Fitness Options calls sweat “basically salt water” and warns that it can be corrosive.
Here is the routine I would follow.
- Switch off and unplug the treadmill.
- Wipe the console, handrails and side rails with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
- Wipe the belt edges and the frame beside the belt.
- Dry everything with a clean cloth, because the Life Fitness guide says to let it dry before use.
- Clean the display with a cloth, never by spraying it directly.
Treadmill care: what to use and what to avoid when you clean
The cleaning products matter more than most owners expect.
- Use a soft cotton cloth, because the Matrix manual says not to use paper towels.
- Use mild soap and water, which the Sole F60 manual names for a textured belt top.
- Avoid ammonia-based cleaners and alcohol, which that manual says can discolour aluminium and plastic.
- Never pour water or cleaner onto the machine, because the manual warns of electrocution.
- Skip petroleum-based solvents and car cleaners, as the Schwinn manual says.
- Keep polish away from the belt, because Fitness Options warns it may get on the running mat and make it slippery.
- Leave outdoor shoes at the door, since grit works under the belt and into the motor.
For the screen, the Matrix manual says to spray distilled water onto a soft cloth first.
Then it says to wipe the display clean and dry.
How to clean under and around the belt
Life Fitness says a dirty belt can slip, wear unevenly or put extra load on the motor.
The Matrix manual says to wipe about 2 inches (51 mm) under the belt on both sides.
It also says never to run the treadmill while you clean the belt and deck.
The Sole F60 manual asks for a monthly clean with a soft, damp cloth.
Reach as far under the belt edge as you safely can.
For a textured belt top, that manual names mild soap, water and a nylon scrub brush.
Life Fitness suggests lifting the belt slightly to clean beneath it.
Lift it only as far as your manual allows.
How to vacuum around and under the machine
Dust is the quiet enemy of the motor.
Fitness Options says dust can form an insulating layer round the motor and stop it cooling.
It recommends vacuuming around and under the treadmill at least once a week.
The Sole manual is more relaxed and asks for a monthly vacuum underneath.
Both are fine, so match the habit to how much dust your room makes.
Motor covers are where the sources split.
Sole says to remove the black motor hood once a year and vacuum out the dirt, with the power unplugged.
Fitness Options says every six months.
The Schwinn manual, by contrast, says not to remove the motor control board cover.
So check your manual before you take any cover off.
If it does not mention one, leave the cover on and vacuum the vents and the floor.
Life Fitness also says to keep the air vents clear.
A good mat helps too, because Life Fitness says it absorbs vibration and limits dust reaching the motor.
Here is one rubber mat listing, so measure your treadmill’s footprint before you order.
How to lubricate a treadmill belt
Lubrication is the most confusing part of treadmill maintenance.
The advice online sounds certain, but the manuals do not agree with each other.
Does your treadmill need lubricating at all?
Not every treadmill does.
The Matrix manual describes a “maintenance free lubricating system”, and the page I read gives owners no lubrication steps.
Fitness Options says silicone is the most common type and that some treadmills use wax instead.
The Schwinn manual asks for lubricant every three months or 25 hours.
So find out which type you have before you buy anything.
Look in the maintenance section for words such as “lubricate”, “maintenance free” or “wax”.
If your manual calls the belt maintenance free, do not add lubricant unless the manufacturer tells you to.
If it asks for lubrication, the Spirit XT185 manual gives a handy check.
It says to reach between the belt and deck every other month.
Unplug the machine before you do.
If the gap feels dry, lubricate it, even if the console has not asked yet.
What the manuals say, side by side
I did not see this comparison on any of the guides I read.
It lines up what each manual actually says.
| Manual | Lubricant it names | Interval it gives | Other points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schwinn 570T | 100% silicone. Not a degreaser such as WD-40. | Every 3 months or 25 hours, whichever comes first. | Silicone breaks down even when the machine is idle. |
| LifeSpan TR800 | Only 100% silicone. Avoid aerosol sprays with additives and petroleum distillates. | Every 3 months or 50 hours, whichever comes first. | About 1 oz (30 ml) a time, on the underside of the belt only. |
| LifeSpan TR500 | Same wording as the TR800. | Every 3 months or 40 hours. | Wipe off excess afterwards. |
| Sole F60 | The tube supplied, or an optional silicone-based kit. | Every 180 hours, with a console reminder. | A dry deck strains the motor, and skipping it may void the warranty. |
| Spirit XT185 | Only a Spirit-approved lubricant. | Every 180 hours, or sooner if the deck is dry. | Skipping it may void the warranty. |
| Matrix T7xi | None named. | None for the owner. | Described as maintenance free. |
The spread is wide.
Three months on one machine can mean 180 hours on another.
Here is the working, so you can check it yourself.
Say you run for 3 hours a week.
Schwinn’s 25-hour limit arrives after about 8 weeks, since 25 divided by 3 is 8.3.
LifeSpan’s 50-hour limit would take 16.7 weeks, so the 3-month limit (about 13 weeks) comes first.
The Sole limit of 180 hours would take 60 weeks, which is well over a year.
That does not mean Sole owners can relax.
A dry deck is still a dry deck, so check by hand if the belt feels rough.
Which lubricant to buy
Three of the six manuals name 100% silicone.
Sole and Spirit tell you to use their own supplied or approved product.
So read your manual before you buy a bottle.
Aerosol sprays are a split point.
The LifeSpan manuals warn against aerosols that contain additives and petroleum distillates.
I would follow that unless your own manual says a spray is fine.
If your manual wants 100% silicone, the PowerMax listing describes its oil as exactly that.
How to maintain a treadmill belt: lubricating it step by step
Methods differ by brand, so treat this as the common pattern and follow your manual first.
The amounts differ a lot too.
Schwinn asks for a few drops across the belt width.
LifeSpan asks for about 1 oz (30 ml).
- Unplug the treadmill and clear the floor around it.
- Wipe the deck with a lint-free cloth, as the Sole manual does before it lubricates.
- Lift the belt only as far as your manual allows.
- If your manual says to loosen the rear roller bolts, count the turns so you can restore them exactly.
- Apply the stated amount to the stated place. That is usually the underside of the belt or the deck, not the top.
- Tighten any bolts back by the same number of turns.
- Plug in and run the belt slowly without standing on it. Then walk gently for a few minutes to spread the lubricant.
- Wipe any excess from the belt and frame.
Keep your fingers clear of the belt while it moves.
Do not spray lubricant on the walking surface either, because that makes it slippery.
More is not better.
Life Fitness says too much lubricant can cause slipping, while too little increases wear.
How to fix a treadmill belt that slips or drifts
Slipping and drifting are different treadmill maintenance problems, and they need different fixes.
A slipping belt hesitates under your feet.
A drifting belt creeps towards one side.
Argos Support says a slipping belt may need tightening or lubrication.
So check the lubricant first, before you touch a bolt.
Treadmill belt adjustment: the tool and the turns
Then look at the belt adjustment bolts.
Both the Schwinn manual and the Sole manual use a 6 mm hex key on the belt adjustment bolts.
A set that includes a 6 mm key covers it, but check the size your own manual names first.
Their rules are similar:
- Make small turns, and test between each one.
- Turn both sides equally for tension, because uneven turns pull the belt sideways.
- Use a quarter turn to centre the belt, and give it a few minutes to settle.
- Stop as soon as the slipping stops.
The Schwinn manual gives half a turn on each bolt for tension, and a quarter turn for centring.
It warns that too much tension wears the belt, motor and electronics.
The Sole manual warns against overtightening for the same reason.
It says a belt that stays loose may point to the motor drive belt.
A trained service person should handle that, it says.
Damage from wrong tracking or tension adjustments, it adds, falls outside the Sole warranty.
The Schwinn manual adds that a floor that is not level can push the belt off centre.
So check the floor before you blame the belt.
Treadmill troubleshooting table
This table pairs each symptom with the cause the sources give and a sensible first move.
| Symptom | Likely cause | First thing to try | Stop and get help if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belt slips or hesitates | Loose tension or a dry deck | Check lubrication, then make a small tension tweak | It still slips after a small adjustment |
| Belt drifts to one side | Belt off centre, or a floor that is not level | Quarter-turn on the rear bolt, as your manual describes | It keeps drifting after repeated tweaks |
| Squeaking, grinding or rattling | Dry deck, loose parts or worn components | Check lubrication, then tighten loose bolts | Grinding continues |
| Burning smell or excess heat | Not always clear from outside. Dust in the motor is one known cause | Stop, unplug and do not restart | Any smoke, scorch marks or a smell that returns |
| Speed changes on its own | Motor or control board | Check the power cord and safety key | It happens again |
| Error code on the display | Whatever your manual lists | Look the code up in the manual | The code keeps coming back |
| Cracked, frayed or uneven belt | Wear | Stop using the machine | Always |
Treadmill maintenance myths: what not to use
Plenty of confident treadmill maintenance advice online turns out to be wrong for some machines.
Here is how common claims hold up against the manuals.
| Myth | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| WD-40 is fine on the belt | The Schwinn manual says not to use a degreaser such as WD-40, or petroleum-based products. WD-40’s own fitness machine guidance names its separate silicone product for belts, or the manufacturer’s lubricant. |
| More lubricant is safer | Life Fitness says too much can cause slipping. Fitness Options says excess attracts dust. |
| A tighter belt is a safer belt | Schwinn and Sole both say overtightening wears parts. |
| Every treadmill needs lubricating | Matrix describes a maintenance free system. |
| Any household cleaner will do | Matrix warns against ammonia and alcohol. Schwinn warns against petroleum solvents. |
| Skipping lubrication only affects the belt | Sole and Spirit say a dry deck stresses the drive motor, drive belt and control board. |
The pattern is simple.
When in doubt, the product your manual names is the safe choice.
Treadmill servicing: when to call the manufacturer or an engineer
Home treadmill maintenance covers the basics.
Some jobs belong to someone else.
Life Fitness says a technician can check parts you cannot reach, such as the motor, rollers and electronics.
It lists the signs that call for one.
- Grinding, squeaking or rattling that does not clear after lubrication.
- A belt that slows, slips or feels uneven.
- A burning smell or heat from the motor area.
- Speed changes you did not ask for.
- Cracking, fraying or patchy wear on the belt or deck.
Argos Support goes a step further.
For any significant damage, it says to stop using the machine.
Speak to the manufacturer or support line first.
Check your warranty before you pay for anything.
Citizens Advice says faulty goods might entitle you to a refund, repair or replacement.
I did not find reliable UK price lists for treadmill repairs.
So get a written quote and ask about the call-out fee before you agree.
If a quote creeps close to the price of a new machine, weigh it up properly.
The Schwinn 510E vs 590E comparison shows how to weigh a big price gap on a different cardio machine.
Treadmill care for home-gym setups
Home setups bring their own treadmill maintenance habits.
Placement matters too.
Keep the vents clear.
Think about a mat too, since Life Fitness says it catches debris.
Fitness Options also suggests a dust cover during nearby building work.
Own a rowing machine as well?
The same manual-first thinking runs through my WaterRower maintenance guide.
For more machines and comparisons, browse the Equipment Reviews section.
Your treadmill maintenance card: a five-minute manual check
Spend five minutes with your manual and write down five treadmill maintenance answers.
Then you will never need to guess again.
- Find the model number on the machine, and download the manual from the manufacturer or retailer support page.
- Find the maintenance section, and note the lubricant type or the words “maintenance free”.
- Write down the lubrication interval in months and in hours.
- Note the hex key size and the turn amount the manual allows for the belt.
- Note which cleaners it allows and whether owners may remove any covers.
Keep that note near the machine.
The bottom line on treadmill maintenance
My aim is simple.
Good treadmill maintenance means keeping it clean, keeping it dry and keeping dust out of the motor.
Lubricate by the book, not by habit.
What I could not verify is the exact interval for your model and what a UK repair costs.
So check your manual, and treat every figure here as an example.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you lubricate a treadmill belt?
Treadmill maintenance intervals depend on the model, so check your manual first.
The manuals I read give three intervals.
Those are 3 months or 25 hours, 3 months or 50 hours, and 180 hours.
One brand says its treadmill needs none.
If your manual gives months and hours, follow whichever limit arrives first.
Can you use WD-40 on a treadmill?
No, not the standard can, unless your manual says so.
The Schwinn manual says not to use a degreaser such as WD-40, or any petroleum-based product.
WD-40’s own guidance names a separate silicone product for treadmill belts.
Even then, use the lubricant your manufacturer names.
How do you clean a treadmill belt?
Unplug it, then wipe the belt with a soft cloth and mild soap on a damp cloth.
Keep moisture low, and dry the belt afterwards.
If your manual allows, wipe about 2 inches (51 mm) under the belt edges.
Never run the belt while you clean it.
How do you know if a treadmill needs lubricating?
Check the gap between the belt and deck by hand.
The Spirit manual says to reach between them every other month and lubricate if there is none.
Argos Support says unusual noises can point to too little lubricant, or to loose or worn parts.
Always unplug the treadmill before you reach under the belt.
Why is my treadmill belt slipping?
The usual causes are loose belt tension or a dry deck.
Check the lubricant first, then make a small tension adjustment as your manual describes.
The Schwinn manual warns that too much tension wears the belt, motor and electronics.
If it keeps slipping, ask the manufacturer or an engineer.
How often should you book treadmill servicing?
There is no single interval, so follow your manual and warranty.
Life Fitness says a technician is especially useful for treadmills used daily or shared by several people.
Book one sooner if you notice grinding, slipping, overheating or speed changes.
Do you need a mat under a treadmill?
Not every manual asks for one, but a mat can help.
Life Fitness says a quality mat absorbs vibration, catches debris and limits dust reaching the motor.
None of the manual pages I read required one.
Check yours before you buy.