The run up to a competition is a very important time. You have spent hours upon hours training and perfecting your routines. You have covered your outfit in diamantes, the new tights have been purchased and your hairstyle is planned. So why leave out your skates? Lewis Hamilton doesn’t enter a race with a dirty car so why compete with dirty skates? The most important aspect of your performance, and the judges primary focus, is often forgotten and neglected when prepping for a competition. Have a read of these simple steps to ensure your skates are looking their best and ready to help you give your best performance yet.

The Boot:

Start by giving your boots a clean by wiping them with a damp cloth or baby wipe to get rid of any dust, dirt, or scuff marks. If you have black suede type boots, then opt for a suede cleaner instead. For any big and deep scuffs, you can purchase boot paint from our website to touch up the colour and keep the appearance of a nice clean boot. You could even go the extra mile and remove the laces and wash them in the washing machine in a laundry bag. When you re-lace your boots make sure the laces are lying flat and are not twisted. They will be sparkling white and look brilliant in your freshly cleaned boots.

The Plate and Toe-Stops:

Once again, start by wiping off your plates and toe-stops with a clean, damp cloth or baby wipe. You will not believe how much dirt can collect around the trucks and rubbers! Next, remove the wheels and check to make sure that all the fixings are tightly secured. This includes the screws holding the plate to the boot, the toe-stop screw and action locking screw. We have seen many mishaps with wheels and plates coming loose at competitions, make sure you aren’t one of them! Furthermore, check the condition of your toe-stops. Are they worn out and need replacing? If so, visit the website or give us a call.

Wheels:

Begin by checking the condition of your wheels. If they are excessively coned, then think about replacing them, as this will impact your performance. If you are happy with their condition, start by removing all dirt, dust and hair from the back of the wheels. It is quite amazing what can be collected from the skating floor! Then wipe over with a damp cloth or baby wipe. Under no circumstance should you submerge your wheels with bearings fitted in water, they will rust and cause your wheels to stop turning. If you wish to wash your wheels in water, remove the bearings first and replace them when the wheels are completely dry. Lastly, replace the wheels securely with a 11mm spanner.

If you are unsure about any aspect of cleaning your skates, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We hope you have found these tips helpful and that they will add a little extra shine and sparkle for you out of the floor. Why not tag us in your clean skate pictures on Instagram @skatermate? Happy cleaning!