# Can I clean my bearing instead of lubing it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [December 22, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522 "2018-12-22T03:08:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slimshady](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slimshady/32/42742_2.png) [@Slimshady](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Slimshady)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/1 "2018-12-22T03:08:45Z")
Hey guys it’s me… Again So I wanna ask a question Can I just clean my bearing instead of lubing it and if not how long should that drop of lube last until I have to lube it again?? ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 3:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/2 "2018-12-22T03:13:45Z")
Usually people clean the bearing _and_ lube it. Edit - Apology to the OP. I really thought that said can I lube my bearing without cleaning it. ---
**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 22, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/3 "2018-12-22T03:51:56Z")
Yes, but the bearing will scream at you. Dry bearings are generally very noisy. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 4:14am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/4 "2018-12-22T04:14:25Z")
It’s not technically required, and if you’re going for absolute maximum spin time, you want a fully clean bearing. It is also simpler to do cleaning only, as it is easy to mess up thin lube on an unresponsive by putting too much in. If you prefer a noisy bearing you want it totally dry as well. But if you can, you should thin lube for that sweet sweet smoothness :wink: ---
**Author:** ![Slimshady](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slimshady/32/42742_2.png) [@Slimshady](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Slimshady)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 8:22am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/5 "2018-12-22T08:22:47Z")
Nevermind:) ---
**Author:** ![Slimshady](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slimshady/32/42742_2.png) [@Slimshady](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Slimshady)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 8:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/6 "2018-12-22T08:25:47Z")
So lubed bearing= less speed more smoothness Cleaned bearing (not lubed)= more speed less smoothness Did I get that right?? If I did I wanna ask one last question If I didn’t lube it will that reduce the life of the bearing?? ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 8:42am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/7 "2018-12-22T08:42:17Z")
You got it > [@Slimshady](#): > > If I didn’t lube it will that reduce the life of the bearing?? It is unlikely as these bearings are meant for much tougher uses than a yo-yo… however, if you live in a humid climate I recommend thin lube as things can rust over time. ---
**Author:** ![Slimshady](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slimshady/32/42742_2.png) [@Slimshady](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Slimshady)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 8:43am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/8 "2018-12-22T08:43:23Z")
Sure! I think it’s more safe to lube it thnx! ---
**Author:** ![Slimshady](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slimshady/32/42742_2.png) [@Slimshady](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Slimshady)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 9:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/9 "2018-12-22T09:25:07Z")
Also when I get my yo yo it Should be here in about a week when I get it how long should I wait until I have to lube it ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 9:45am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/10 "2018-12-22T09:45:04Z")
I would wait a few days and just play with it … make sure it’s all working properly before messing with anything and the “tweaking” begins :wink: ---
**Author:** ![Slimshady](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/slimshady/32/42742_2.png) [@Slimshady](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Slimshady)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 9:47am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/can-i-clean-my-bearing-instead-of-lubing-it/296522/11 "2018-12-22T09:47:29Z")
Haha thnx m8!