How To Take Care Of Ice Skates
As the winter season approaches, festive activities, including ice skating, begin to climb higher on our to-do wish lists. So, it’s a good time to take care of your ice skates, and make sure they are in top condition.
Not sure how? Simply follow these easy steps! The result? Clean, smooth and shiny skates, with a little help from WD-40®.
Things you will need
WD-40® Multi Use Product
Microfibre Cloth
Warm, soapy water
Shoe deodoriser or white vinegar
Fine grit sandpaper
Step 1
Clean the skates
To clean your skates, use a clean microfibre cloth and some warm soapy water to gently wipe over all the surfaces of your skate boot and blades. If your boot has laces, you may wish to put these in the washing machine with your usual laundry load.
If your skates smell, you can purchase a shoe deodoriser spray. Alternatively, white vinegar in a spray bottle will work just as well – and also acts as an antibacterial agent.
After drying, give your boots a good polish. This will act as a water-repelling protective layer for your skate, preventing moisture damage in the future!
Step 2
Get rid of rust
If you noticed any rust on your ice skates whilst cleaning your blades, it is important to deal with it as soon as possible. If the rust is minimal, you should be able to remove it safely.
Using a spritz of WD-40 Multi Use Product and a piece of fine grit sandpaper, gently work away at the rust in circular motions. Continue this action with increasing pressure until you are happy with the results.
If the rust is prominent or tough to remove, it may be too far gone. Rusting can be dangerous as it will weaken the material of the blade, making accidents on the ice more likely. If you are unsure about the state of your blades, always take your boots to a professional to get a second opinion.
Step 3
Sharpen the blades
Now that your boots are clean, it’s time to sharpen your blades. Whilst this can be done at home, we recommend always taking your skates to a professional to be sharpened, as it can be a tricky procedure.
Step 4
Protect Your Blades
To take care of your ice skates, the final step is to protect your blades from further damage.
Firstly, ensure that they are dried thoroughly after each skate. Then, after drying, massage a fine layer of WD-40® Multi-Use Product into the surfaces of your blades with a clean microfibre cloth. This will provide a water repellent protective layer, helping to prevent rust in the future.
After cleaning, drying and protecting your skates, store them in a clean and dry area. If you use blade guards, ensure your blade is completely dry before fitting them.
All done
Your skates are now ready for your next session! If you found this guide useful, why not check out other ways that WD-40® can help you with your everyday tasks? Visit our How To section for more tips.
