# Best ways to clean yoyo bearing **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [December 20, 2023, 12:19am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526 "2023-12-20T00:19:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Judahham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Judahham](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Judahham)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 12:19am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/1 "2023-12-20T00:19:58Z")
Having trouble with my bearing and lube is not working ---
**Author:** ![Yoyomikie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyomikie/32/593857_2.png) [@Yoyomikie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyomikie)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 1:02am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/2 "2023-12-20T01:02:42Z")
Several ways to clean ur bearings, tons of vids on YouTube but the main ways are to soaked them in either mineral spirits or acetone. Acetone is easier to find, for me, where I live. Get whichever ones easier for u, deshield ur bearings and drop them into some type of glass container 🫙. Use gloves 🧤. You’ll see all the dirt come out of them, and when u feel like it remove them and dry them or let them air dry. ---
**Author:** ![Judahham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Judahham](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Judahham)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 1:05am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/3 "2023-12-20T01:05:52Z")
maybe a dumb question but after you clean it do you put the shield back in. ---
**Author:** ![Jace](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jace/32/255928_2.png) [@Jace](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jace)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 1:10am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/4 "2023-12-20T01:10:34Z")
You don’t need to, you can if you want. It’s more work both ways IMHO; I usually leave them off after cleaning and never put them back on. This is a go-to for exactly what you’re looking for IMHO, OP: [https://youtu.be/ozmFQgwS91A?si=UJDQjoOI6qYAflY5](https://youtu.be/ozmFQgwS91A?si=UJDQjoOI6qYAflY5) ---
**Author:** ![Yoyomikie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyomikie/32/593857_2.png) [@Yoyomikie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyomikie)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 1:26am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/5 "2023-12-20T01:26:45Z")
I agree with the above. I also never put them back In. ---
**Author:** ![Judahham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Judahham](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Judahham)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 1:33am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/6 "2023-12-20T01:33:43Z")
Are there shields on both sides. if so do you have to take them both out. ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 2:51am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/7 "2023-12-20T02:51:09Z")
I remove shields and never reinstall them. Technically shields reduce frequency of cleaning needed but they are annoying/tedious to remove and install. Some folks clean Without removing the shields, regardless stuff eventually gets into the race and gunks up a bearing depending on environmental conditions such as pollen levels and dust or small particles and how often you change your string. Also pets smoking and humidity can impact bearing longevity. Removing one shield is enough to clean the bearing but I like to remove both to reduce complexity as once one shield is out the second shield is useless and just another thing in the yoyo. I figure it’s one less thing to make contact potentially reducing drag. Maybe it’s just a personal desire for it to be symmetrical. As for cleaning lots of ways. I like acetone but you can use mineral spirits, rubbing alcohol, or even just soap and water water. Note water or alcohol with a low percentage ie more water needs to be dried thoroughly to prevent rusting. Most folks use a glass jar and shake it for a few seconds to get stuff cleaned up. There are other ways but note anything that adds vibration to a solvent can create lots of fumes and be both a flash fire risk and damage your lungs you should only use solvents in an open well ventilated space. Also keep in mind solvents can damage plastic yo-yos and anno so make sure to disipate anything on the bearing before re installing it. It’s all preference even lube vs no lube is a debate. The videos above are great to get an idea of what you need to do before adding your own preferences and experimenting. ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 3:59am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/8 "2023-12-20T03:59:35Z")
There’s info on bearing care and numerous other tips and tricks here: > [@Useful modification & maintenance guides -- clean, repair, tune, fix yoyos](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/useful-modification-maintenance-guides-clean-repair-tune-fix-yoyos/16461): > > This list is an attempt to clean up the mods and maintenance section and to make more information easier to find for new and veteran modders alike. Bearings [How to Clean Your Bearing](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-yoyo-bearing/867)[How to Clean Rusty Bearings](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-clean-your-rusty-ball-bearings/16423)[Bearing Cleaning: Paper Slip Method](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bearing-cleaning-paper-slip-method/71418)[Paper cleaning method for bearings](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/on-bearings-and-the-paper-cleaning-method/21432)[How to Deshield a Bearing](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-deshield-a-bearing/46819)[Lube - What Can I Use To Lube My Yoyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-can-i-use-to-lube-my-yoyo/31171)[How do I fix a suddenly responsive bearing?](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/insert-yoyo-name-here-is-responsive/30844)[Common Yoyo Bearing Sizes](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/common-yoyo-bearing-sizes/66653)[Alternative bearing removal method](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/alternative-bearing-removal-method/64901)[How to remove a stuck bearing - using a…](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-remove-a-stuck-bearing/22494) ---
**Author:** ![K1LCr09](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/k1lcr09/32/268600_2.png) [@K1LCr09](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/K1LCr09)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 4:35am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/9 "2023-12-20T04:35:44Z")
You dont ---
**Author:** ![Yoyo4life90](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyo4life90/32/204623_2.png) [@Yoyo4life90](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyo4life90)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 6:39am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/10 "2023-12-20T06:39:53Z")
Yup all good facts here from they ^ said i do same â– â– â– â– â– â– â–  above u have 10 ball concave or what brand ---
**Author:** ![MrPluh](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mrpluh/32/279499_2.png) [@MrPluh](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MrPluh)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 1:37pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/11 "2024-04-24T13:37:12Z")
well i got a new yoyo and my bering turned responsive only after an hour ---
**Author:** ![MrPluh](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mrpluh/32/279499_2.png) [@MrPluh](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MrPluh)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/12 "2024-04-24T13:59:28Z")
do I desheild my bering ---
**Author:** ![Georgekouts](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/georgekouts/32/645027_2.png) [@Georgekouts](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Georgekouts)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 3:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/13 "2024-04-24T15:00:08Z")
I have heard somewhere that you should not leave them for more than ten minutes could ruin the bearing. Are you sure we can let them soak for like 30 minutes or more? ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 3:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/best-ways-to-clean-yoyo-bearing/390526/14 "2024-04-24T15:21:39Z")
for stainless steel i can’t imagine what leaving the bearing in acetone would do for a period.