Nintendo suggests that you use the Balance Board barefoot. This is to help you keep proper footing and maintain your balance. However, this also means that it is important to keep your Wii Fit Balance Board clean.
Just like any other piece of exercise equipment, the Balance Board will attract germs, and those germs can cause problems like Athlete’s Foot. Consequently, you need to take precautions. The Wii Fit Balance Board is a sophisticated piece of equipment and needs to be cleaned properly to avoid damage. This does not mean it is difficult to clean, but you need to take the necessary care. There are special silicone sleeves available that serve as a cover for the Wii Fit Balance Board. These covers not only help you keep your footing on the Balance Board, but they also help to keep the Balance Board clean. However, the covers themselves need to be cleaned periodically and we’ve included instructions on the best way to clean these silicone sleeves.
Cleaning the Balance Board
What You Will Need:
- Wii Fit Balance Board
- Soft lint-free cloth
- Disposable Disinfectant Wipes (such as Clorox Wipes)
The Cleaning Process:
- Wipe your Balance Board with a soft, lint free cloth to remove as much dirt and grime as possible.
- Using a disinfectant wipe, wipe down the surface of your Balance Board thoroughly.
- Make sure no dampness or residue remains on your Balance Board by wiping it down with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
Additional Tips and Advice
- NEVER use any liquid-based cleansers or detergents to clean your Balance Board as doing so may damage the sensitive components inside.
- NEVER use water to clean your Balance Board and NEVER submerge your Balance Board in water; exposing your Wii Fit Balance Board to liquids of any kind may damage the sensitive components.
- DO NOT use any type of abrasive cleansers or cleaning pads on your Balance Board as these may scratch or damage the surface, adversely affecting the system and detracting from the overall Wii Fit experience.
- If your Wii Fit is being used by more than one player at a time, make sure you wipe the surface of the Balance Board with a disinfectant wipe in between players to keep the surface as sanitary as possible.
- For an eco-friendly alternative to traditional disinfectant wipes, try Wipex All Purpose Eco-Friendly wipes, available online at websites such as Miles Kimball.
- To help protect and keep your Wii Fit Balance Board clean, use the silicone sleeves designed for the boards.
Cleaning the Silicone Sleeve
IF you have one.
What You Will Need:
- Sink or bucket
- Warm water
- Mild dish soap (such as Palmolive)
- Soft cloth
- Dry towels (at least two)
The Cleaning Process:
- Place a few drops of dish soap into your sink or bucket and fill with warm water, working it into a sudsy mixture.
- Remove the silicone sleeve from the Wii Fit Balance Board.
- Place it into the warm, soapy water, swish it around a bit, and allow it to soak for at least 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, examine the sleeve for any remaining stubborn dirt spots, and scrub them lightly with the soft cloth.
- Dump or drain water and refill with clean water.
- Rinse the silicone sleeve thoroughly in clean water until no suds remain.
- Remove sleeve from water and lay it flat, face down, on a dry towel.
- Pat the upturned portion with another dry towel until completely dry.
- Making sure the sleeve is completely dry, replace onto the Wii Fit Balance Board.
Additional Tips and Advice
- NEVER twist or wring the silicone sleeve when washing.
- Make sure all soap is rinsed from the sleeve, as soap residue may cause undo wear to the silicone material.
- DO NOT use bleach or bleach alternative when washing the sleeve.
- Make sure the sleeve is COMPLETELY dry before replacing it on the Wii Fit Balance Board—liquid accumulation will damage the board.
- If your Wii Fit is being used by more than one player at a time, make sure you wipe the surface of the sleeve with a disinfectant wipe in between players to keep the surface as sanitary as possible. Wash the sleeve after group use.
- Even if you use a silicone sleeve, your Wii Fit Balance Board will still need to be cleaned periodically, following the steps above.
- For more information regarding your Nintendo Wii Fit system, visit Nintendo’s Wii Fit website.
I used a toothbrush, some paper towels, a water spritzer, and a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda. 1 tsp of baking soda mixed with 1 tsp lemon juice will give you more than enough cleaner for one board. The toothbrush is great for getting in the little ridged area in the middle. Scrub it down and let it sit for a minute. Then, rinse a few times with the water spritzer and paper towels. That got my board really clean and white!
This guide could use some work. What you described doesn’t clean inside the grooves on the top of the board…mine has bits of dirt solidly stuck into the plastic. I used a toothbrush to scrub it out, but that still didn’t get all of it.