How to Remove Silicone Lubricant from a Treadmill Mat

Silicone lubricant is frequently used to lubricate the moving parts of a treadmill. In fact, if you go through the manual that came with your treadmill, you will probably find instructions on how to lubricate your treadmill and at what frequency.

Silicone lubricant is a durable lubricant that doesn’t break down under the forces generated by the moving parts of the treadmill. Most manufacturers recommend that a treadmill should be lubricated every six months or so. While using the lubrication is not a difficult task and can be performed at home, sometimes you may end up with some silicone lubricant on the treadmill mat. The very properties that make silicone such an excellent lubricant also make it a nuisance when it finds its way onto your treadmill’s mat.

Silicone lubricant is not easy to remove. What’s even worse is that it can make your treadmill mat slippery and unsafe to use. The moisture from the lubricant may even cause your treadmill mat to warp. All of this means that if you accidentally get silicone lubricant on your treadmill mat, you need to remove it as soon as possible. The following simple steps explain the removal process.

Step 1 - Wash with Soap and Water

Silicone lubricant is notoriously difficult to get rid of so you may have to try more than one technique to remove it. First, use soap and water or laundry detergent, water and clean rags to try to remove the lubricant. You can also use a hand scrubber, but make sure that you’re not damaging the treadmill mat. Dry the mat thoroughly after cleaning to prevent it from warping.

Step 2 - Apply Denatured Alcohol

If the soap and water have not done the trick, use denatured alcohol. Douse a clean rag with the denatured alcohol and rub it vigorously on the treadmill mat. You don’t have to worry about warping the treadmill mat with this method because the denatured alcohol will evaporate on its own.

Step 3 - Use a Foam Cleanser

If the treadmill mat still feels slippery, you can try some foam cleanser—the kind that is used to clean computers. Apply some foam cleanser to the mat, allow the cleanser to be absorbed by the mat, and then wipe it off. It may require a couple of applications before the silicone lubricant is completely removed from the treadmill mat.

Step 4 - Use Formula 409

If all else fails, there is still hope in the form of Formula 409. This is an industrial grade cleaner so it should be used with caution. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying the cleaner and ensure that you use safety equipment such as rubber gloves and safety goggles.

Step 5 - Give it Some Time

If your treadmill mat still has some remnants of silicone lubricant, do not worry. Continue to use your treadmill as normal and eventually the remnants of the lubricant will also wear off. Of course, if the mat is still slippery, you should not use the treadmill. Try cleaning the mat again or consider replacing the mat if necessary for safety.