Electric scooters do not require regular maintenance for oil like How Much Do Mechanics Charge Per Hour? Labor Rates In US other vehicles, but they need regular cleaning. As the cleaning involves dealing with electric components and wiring, it may look challenging. If you own an electric scooter, you probably need information about “How to clean electric scooter” at home.
Cleaning the electric scooter is very important for the prolonged life and prevents the defects from arriving sooner. If you want to decrease the maintenance cost of the scooter, cleaning it at least once a week is essential.
Step by Step Checklist for Cleaning & Washing Your Scooter
When was the last time you detailed your scooter? If it has been a while, don’t worry. These simple steps and just 10 minutes of work will clean off the dirt accumulated from riding in all sorts of weather conditions.
Checking the Manufacturer Manual:
This is the foremost and most important step when it comes to cleaning the electric scooter. It is essential because every model and manufacturer needs a different type of cleaning due to wiring, battery, and motor position.
Most manufactures provide manuals that can help you understand the cleaning process. If your manufacturer offers cleaning instructions inside the manual, follow them before looking for any other source.
1) Get to Know the Materials and IP Rating:
When it comes to cleaning, the most important thing is getting familiar with your electric scooter. If the scooter has an IP rating for water resistance, then try to understand its nature. It means then an IP64 can have better water resistance than an IPX4 or IPX5 scooter.
Similarly, analyze the materials used in the electric scooter. If there are aluminum and plastic components, then the cleaning seems easier. However, having a steel or iron components need more care as they are prone to rust.
2) Turning Off and Cooling Down:
If you use water to clean the electric scooter, turning the electric scooter off is the foremost thing. It is a matter of common sense as the electric vehicle can damage water when turned on.
Letting the scooter cooldown is another way to protect it from water damage. When the scooter is hot after running few miles, the water you apply for cleaning can get inside the parts and evaporate to promote corrosion.
3) Separate the Removable Parts for Cleaning:
It makes sense that cleaning individual parts is far more effective than cleaning them with the scooter. Therefore, some models have a removable battery, seat, front fender, and accessories that clean individually.
Keep in mind to completely dry these parts after cleaning, especially the battery, to avoid any damage from the water. You can use a dry cloth to dry them completely.
4) Don’t Get too Hard:
For most parts, cleaning is easier and does not require rubbing hard to clean the debris off the surface. Most dirt and stains come off easily when you apply water and remove them.
If something does not come off easily, use a manual approach to clean them off from the parts. Don’t scrub the parts as they scratch the surface, take off the paint, or spoil the looks. Instead, use uni-directional movements to achieve the cleaning and avoid any circular motions.
5) Use the Top to Bottom Approach:
Using top to bottom approach yields two advantages for the cleaning of electric scooters. The first advantage is that it helps loosen the dirt on the bottom parts to clean them effectively.
You may wonder how this happens. The soap that eventually goes down when cleaning the upper part already does the job of cleaning the bottom by cleaning the parts and taking the dirt with runoff.
The second benefit is in the form of more organized cleaning. For example, suppose you clean the lower part first. Then, when you clean the stem and handlebar, the dirt and runoff will eventually go down to the lower part and make it dirty again.
6) Cleaning the Sensitive Parts:
Don’t rush into cleaning and pouring the water everywhere on the electric scooter. Some parts need individual cleaning and following the special protocols. For example, you cannot use the conventional way to clean the screen.
As the screen has sensitive parts, you may end up damaging it with the water. To clean it, use a dry cloth first. If it does not clean off the dirt or the screen has stains, use a damp cloth to clean the area. Don’t use force and clean the wetness off with a dry cloth to avoid any damage.
7) Detailing the Small Parts:
Rinsing with water and soap is not enough to clean the electric scooter. Small parts and spaces need detailing with a brush or other small tools. As the water does not wash off all the debris from these parts, cleaning them using a brush is the only possible solution for cost-effectiveness.
8) Understanding the Material of Parts:
The electric scooter comes in different materials such as aluminum, steel, and plastic. Each material reacts to the cleaning process differently. So, it becomes essential to treat each material type individually to prevent any damage.
Cleaning the aluminum and steel is effective when you use a sponge or soft cloth with soapy water. Use two buckets, one containing clean water and the other with soapy water. Apply the soapy sponge on the metal surface and rub gently in uni-direction to clean off any debris. Then, use clean water to rinse and wash the remains.
If you opt to clean the non-metallic parts, use an acidic solution like vinegar or lemon juice. It cleans off the dirt and hard stains from plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, and silicone material. However, beware of using the acidic solution for metals as they can corrode them and promote oxidation.
9) Cleaning Grease and Hard Stains:
Sometimes the soapy water is not enough to clean off the hardened dirt, grease, and hard stains from the surface of the scooters, especially wheels. Try manually removing the hard patches and then rinse them with clean water.
Now get toothpaste and apply some of it to the problematic area. Let it remain there for minutes and clean it by rubbing with the toothbrush or any cleaning brush. It will remove any stains and grease from that area.
You may use synthetic cleaners that are available in the market for better results. Do not keep the toothpaste or the chemical too long on the scooter surface, and use water to rinse the surface afterward.
10) Rinse Off with Water and Dry it:
After cleaning the electric scooter with soapy water, rinsing and cleaning it with clean water is essential. Use water to remove the remaining dirt and soap and let it dry for a while.
You can use a dry cloth (having good water-absorbing properties) to dry the scooter. Carefully clean every part of the scooter, especially the corners where water always takes a hiding spot. Let the scooter dry in the sun for some time, or you can dry it with the wet-dry vacuum cleaner to achieve the results soon.
What to Avoid Damages On Deep Cleaning the E-Scooter?
These are some of the don’ts when cleaning the electric scooter. Not following any of these instructions can damage the electric scooter.
Be Gentle with Cleaning:
Be gentle when cleaning the debris off from the electric scooter. Don’t instantly dig the hard spots or stains, then don’t go quickly. Doing so can damage the body or color. Depending on the type of material, you can use some synthetic cleaner, vinegar, toothpaste, and lemon juice.
Don’t Use Dry Blowers:
Avoid using a dry vacuum cleaner to boost the drying process. It can push the water inside the component, heat the components, damage the electronics, and cause water to get inside the parts in the form of steam. You can use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner to get the results.
Avoid High-pressure Water:
If you own an electric scooter with no IP rating or lower rating, it is better not to use high-pressure water. People use it for other vehicles, but using it on an electric scooter can prove dangerous. It can damage the scooter by transporting the water inside the components of the electric scooter.