# New cleaning methods?
**URL:** https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-cleaning-methods/352972
**Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance
**Created:** [February 20, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-cleaning-methods/352972 "2022-02-20T22:48:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Butter](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Butter)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-cleaning-methods/352972/1 "2022-02-20T22:48:25Z")
Do you know of any cleaning methods for bearings that aren’t: spraying it with compressed air or the acetone thing, because I’ve tried those.
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### Author:  [@hobby\_master](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hobby_master)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2022, 10:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-cleaning-methods/352972/2 "2022-02-20T22:57:04Z")
Yea ive tried those other ways with mixed results. I put the bearing on a pencil and spray with 99% isopropyl alcohol, flip the bearing spray. Then spin dry by hand.
This has worked the best for me.
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### Author:  [@Fun\_Dad69](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Fun_Dad69)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2022, 11:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-cleaning-methods/352972/3 "2022-02-20T23:55:27Z")
I just shake them around in a little jar of lighter fluid, spin dry on a pencil, then leave them out on a paper towel for a little while
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### Author:  [@TheHelveticaScenario](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheHelveticaScenario)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2022, 12:16am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-cleaning-methods/352972/4 "2022-02-21T00:16:15Z")
Not sure what you mean by “new” methods.
Anyway, provided you don’t struggle with removing/installing bearing shields, here’s the only thing I do…
1. Remove shields.
2. Add bit of Dawn dish soap to an old toothbrush and scrub with warm water.
– _Dawn is a degreaser and the agitation from scrubbing – coupled with the foaming action – will dislodge accumulated grease, gunk, and debris that simply soaking in acetone can’t._
3. Occasionally rinse under running warm water and repeat scrubbing. Give a good final rinse, and scrub while you rinse to ensure there’s no soap residue left.
4. Dunk in some 90+% isopropyl alcohol to remove any excess water then set on paper towel to air dry (or used compressed air because, well, faster).
5. When _fully_ dry, apply bearing lube using a sewing needle. Spin bearing a bit to distribute.
– _if the drop does not stay on the needle, then you’re trying to add too much – **less is more**._
6. Reinstall shields.
The whole process should take 5-10 minutes – less with practice. And I really only need to do this once per bearing because afterwards the bearing will be immaculately clean and a quality bearing will be next to _silent_. From that point on, just reapply lube whenever you start to hear it.
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### Author:  [@bobafret](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/bobafret)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2022, 9:12am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-cleaning-methods/352972/5 "2022-02-21T09:12:23Z")
100% acetone and just run them dry. It’s worked perfectly for years and years with no issues. If you’re using 100% acetone I can’t see what problem you could have.
This Is The Way
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### Author:  [@Shwa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shwa)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2022, 3:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-cleaning-methods/352972/6 "2022-02-21T15:40:57Z")
I use acetone and generally it works ok. I dont think I leave them in long enough because sometimes it just doesnt help. Last night I let 3 sit overnight and its better.
What I think is the real key is aggetation. Depending on the condition of the internals (what debris is there) sometime it just need help in breaking up or out. I’m thinking about grabbing one of these [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe69QoMyyGg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe69QoMyyGg)
Ultrasonic cleaning machine too might be a great solution.
Edit… As a side note. Pay close attention to the condition of your bearing seat. I put a newly cleaned bearing in last night and it immediatly jammed up. I was not happy but after inspecting the bearing seat it was clear what was the problem. grimmy dirt and hairs with a deshielded bearing = cruddy performance.
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### Author:  [@yoyojoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojoe)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-cleaning-methods/352972/7 "2022-02-21T16:55:39Z")
I know a lot of people use ultrasonic jewelery cleaners with the right solution. They work fantastic for cleaning a bunch of bearings at once.
[https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/isonic-reg-ultrasonic-jewelry-nbsp-cleaner/3261444?skuId=43089703&store=&enginename=google&mcid=PS\_googlepla\_nonbrand\_storage\_online&product\_id=43089703&adtype=pla&product\_channel=online&adpos=&creative=224154222146&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&utm\_campaignid=71700000037121782&utm\_adgroupid=58700004139986274&targetid=92700035325271698&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjc2QBhDgARIsAMc3SqQp5sQHYJmxFtSAu9U4zvz5NGXndPh\_FRhIX9TYBEq8VDIgY3Edx2oaAu5LEALw\_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds](https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/isonic-reg-ultrasonic-jewelry-nbsp-cleaner/3261444?skuId=43089703&store=&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_storage_online&product_id=43089703&adtype=pla&product_channel=online&adpos=&creative=224154222146&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&utm_campaignid=71700000037121782&utm_adgroupid=58700004139986274&targetid=92700035325271698&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjc2QBhDgARIsAMc3SqQp5sQHYJmxFtSAu9U4zvz5NGXndPh_FRhIX9TYBEq8VDIgY3Edx2oaAu5LEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
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### Author:  [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2022, 1:33am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-cleaning-methods/352972/8 "2022-02-26T01:33:22Z")
> [@Butter](#):
>
> because I’ve tried those.
What in particular is it that you don’t like with the traditional solvent and compressed air method? Note that the compressed air part is an option to dry the solvent off faster and is not reqiuired.
With and without air works good for me. Also as noted above some agitation works better than not doing that.