How to Clean a Pilates Reformer (and What Never to Use on It)

Every workout leaves sweat and body oils on the reformer's vinyl, and dust works its way into the rails and wheels. Learning how to clean a Pilates reformer mostly comes down to a one-minute wipe with mild soap and water. The bigger risk is using the wrong cleaner, because alcohol, bleach and essential oils can shorten the life of the upholstery.

Quick answer: Unhook the springs, wipe the upholstery with mild dish soap in warm water, rinse with a clean damp cloth, dry it, and wipe the rails with a damp microfiber cloth. Skip alcohol, bleach, essential oils and oil lubricants. Despite common online advice, no maker we checked lists vinegar for the vinyl, and Merrithew and Balanced Body Australia say no oil or silicone spray on the rails or wheels. Check springs and hardware weekly (Merrithew's schedule) and replace springs about every two years (schedule below).

What you need

• Two microfiber cloths, one for soapy water and one for rinsing (Balanced Body's Polish distributor prefers microfiber to paper towels)
• Mild liquid dish soap and warm water
• A soft towel for drying
• Optional: a rail-cleaning stick, such as Merrithew's rail and roller kit (for Merrithew machines only)
• Optional: a washable reformer towel to cover the carriage while you work out

How to clean a Pilates reformer after every workout

Merrithew's maintenance schedule lists upholstery cleaning "after each use," and Balanced Body says "Equipment should be cleaned after every use." Here's the routine the brands' instructions add up to.

Tap the diagram to enlarge

1. Unhook the springs and sit beside the carriage

Merrithew's rail-cleaning instructions start with the springs disengaged, and say to sit beside the reformer, "never on the carriage."

2. Wipe the upholstery with mild soap and water

Every major brand's day-to-day answer is the same:

• Merrithew says to clean all upholstery "after each use using warm water with mild soap and clear water rinses," and to make sure the soap "does not leave an oily residue, or make surfaces slippery."
• Balanced Body says to wipe the carriage, shoulder rests and padded jumpboard "with a solution of mild soap and water or Balanced Body Clean™."
• Peak Pilates recommends a mild cleaning solution "that does not contain silicone."
• Gratz says to use a lightly dampened cloth and avoid saturating the upholstery.

Brands give different soap ratios:

• Gratz: 1 part liquid dish soap to 10 parts water
• Balanced Body Australia: 1 teaspoon dish soap per 16 oz of water
• Balanced Body (2020 sheet): about 1 tablespoon powdered soap per gallon

In practice, a small squeeze of mild dish soap in warm water does the job. Merrithew also says not to spray liquid directly onto the machine, so dampen the cloth instead.

3. Rinse with a clean damp cloth, then dry

Balanced Body says to "wipe down with clean water and dry with a soft towel." Peak Pilates likewise says to wipe with a cloth dampened with plain water and dry after cleaning. Rinsing removes soap film, which Merrithew warns can make surfaces slippery.

4. Wipe the footbar, frame and handles

Balanced Body cleans the frame (wood and metal) and footbar the same way as the upholstery: mild soap and water or Balanced Body Clean, then clean water, then dry. Peak Pilates says its lacquered wood frames need only "an occasional wipe down using a mild soap solution or furniture polish."

5. Wipe the rails and wheels

Balanced Body says to "Dust and clean tracks, wheels, and springs regularly," so dust first, then wipe. Merrithew says to "Clean channels, rails and rollers daily with a damp cloth." Stamina's AeroPilates 287 manual says to wipe the rollers and rails "with a dry cloth." Balanced Body's Polish distributor recommends microfiber over paper towels, because "paper towels leave fine fibers." There's more on rails below.

Cleaning wood vs. aluminum reformer frames

Balanced Body's cleaning sheet treats wood and metal frames the same: mild soap and water, a clean-water wipe, then a dry towel. For wood, Peak Pilates notes its frames have a "non-toxic, water-based lacquer," and allows furniture polish as an alternative to soap. None of the manufacturer pages we read give separate instructions for aluminum frames, so for those, follow the soap, rinse and dry routine and your own manual.

What not to use on a reformer

Manufacturers are more specific about what to avoid than what to use:

• Alcohol and bleach. Balanced Body says to "Avoid using alcohol, bleach, or chemical cleaners as they can damage the upholstery." BASI Systems warns against "harsh alcohol-based cleaners, bleach or baby wipes."
• General chemical cleaners. Merrithew says, "We do not recommend using chemical-based products."
• Essential oils, including tea tree. Gratz says tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus oils "can dry out the upholstery over time, leading to cracking, splitting, and premature wear." Balanced Body Australia says other solutions, "especially those containing essential oils," will shorten the life of some equipment.
• Silicone-based cleaners on vinyl. Peak Pilates specifies a cleaner "that does not contain silicone."
• Oil lubricants or WD-40 on rails and wheels. Merrithew says to "Never use oil lubricants as they may damage rollers." Balanced Body's Polish distributor says to "completely forget about any attempts to use popular WD40!"

A few other habits help. Gratz notes that jewelry can damage the vinyl. Merrithew says not to store accessories on the upholstery, and warns that chemical cleaners used around the reformer's feet "may cause permanent marking on floors." Its warranty doesn't cover that, and it suggests a non-slip mat under the machine.

How to clean the rails and wheels

Grit on the rails and wheels (Merrithew calls them rollers) makes the carriage ride rough. Balanced Body's Allegro 2 page says to "Dust and clean tracks, wheels, and springs regularly." Peak Pilates cleans tracks "on an as-needed basis with a warm solution of mild soap in water" and dries them thoroughly. Gratz says black streaks on the tracks come off with water and a little dish detergent.

The same Balanced Body line includes the springs, so give them a dry dusting when you do the rails. Merrithew's schedule also has you inspect the springs weekly (more on that below).

Merrithew's stick-and-cloth method

Merrithew describes a simple technique for its reformers:

1. Disengage the springs and sit beside the reformer, not on the carriage.
2. Wrap a microfiber cloth around a cleaning stick.
3. Hold it between the roller and the rail and "slowly move the carriage away from you."

Merrithew also suggests "a mini fan or blow dryer to remove any debris or dust from the Gearbar system." It sells a Rail and Roller Cleaning Kit with five sponge-tip sticks and a microfiber cloth, which it says is for Merrithew and STOTT PILATES equipment only.

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Peak Pilates adds a wheel check every two to three months: remove any debris "entwined between the wheel and metal housing," and tighten the axle if a wheel has play. In practice that debris is often hair, so pull it free before it makes the wheel drag.

Lubricant: only if your manual says so

Don't lubricate rails or wheels unless your manual says to. You may see silicone spray recommended online; manufacturers disagree:

• Merrithew says never to use oil lubricants on rollers.
• Balanced Body Australia names plain water as its go-to for reformer rails, frames, bars and wheels. It calls it "a myth that silicone spray is suitable for your Reformer rails" and says to "avoid using this on your wheels and rails."
• Gratz lubricates only the interior wheel bearing with a specific grease, quarterly, and never the wheel itself or the tracks. That's Gratz's own procedure, so don't copy it onto another brand's machine.

Cleaning straps, loops and the reformer towel

Cotton and EZClean loops

Balanced Body says to clean cotton straps, loops and footstraps on both sides with gentle soap and water, rinse and air dry. If you use a washing machine, it says to use the gentle cycle as a separate load, because "Dye may bleed." Its Allegro 2 page says to "Wash loops in cold water and air dry regularly." Vinyl loop covers and EZClean straps just need a wipe with mild soap and water.

Leather straps and fuzzies

For leather straps, Balanced Body says to wipe off dust with a soft cloth, spot clean with water and a soft-bristled brush, and "Apply a leather conditioner every 6 months." It notes that "Some conditioners will darken the leather," so test a small spot first. Peak Pilates also recommends conditioner on leather straps "to prevent them from drying out and cracking."

Wool fuzzies (the padded loop covers) get gentle soap or Woolite and water. Balanced Body says "do not oversaturate, as the fuzzies are made of leather," then air dry.

How to clean a reformer mat or towel

The padded carriage "mat" is upholstery, so clean it with the soap, rinse and dry routine in step 2.

A reformer towel puts a washable layer between sweaty skin and the vinyl. Salt & Honey says to machine wash its reformer towel cold and tumble dry low (or hang dry), and to "avoid fabric softener and high heat."

For more options, see our guide to the best Pilates towels.

If by "reformer mat" you mean the mat under the machine, that one protects your floor. Merrithew suggests one to prevent marks from cleaners around the reformer's feet. Measure your frame first. Stamina says the AeroPilates Equipment Mat is made for AeroPilates reformers, and at 24 in wide it's narrower than most studio-style frames.

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For a wider frame, SuperMats lists its 29GS equipment mat at 36 x 102 in.

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When soap and water isn't enough: disinfecting

Cleaning and disinfecting are different jobs. The CDC explains that cleaning with soap, water and scrubbing "removes most germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces," while disinfecting "kills most germs on surfaces and objects." The CDC suggests disinfecting in addition to cleaning when someone in the home is sick or has a weakened immune system. It says to clean first, follow the product label, keep the surface wet for the full contact time, and "not mix products or chemicals with each other."

Reformer makers say different things here. Balanced Body's current Allegro 2 page says to avoid bleach for upholstery care. But its 2020 disinfecting sheet, written during the pandemic, listed a diluted bleach gel and specific disposable disinfectant wipes for vinyl, citing the upholstery maker's guidance. Merrithew's March 2020 blog likewise gave a diluted bleach method with a full rinse afterward, and warned that "Even when diluted, bleach can remove or change fabric colors." Merrithew's current product-care page says mild soap and no chemical-based products.

The practical takeaway: for routine home cleaning, stick with soap and water. If you need to disinfect during an illness, use only a product your reformer's manufacturer lists, follow the label, and rinse the vinyl with clean water afterward. If you aren't sure, ask the manufacturer's support team.

Balanced Body also sells its own cleaner, Balanced Body Clean. The brand says it's an "All-purpose cleaner and disinfectant" that "Kills 99.99% of bacteria" and is "100% natural and biodegradable." These are brand claims, and we didn't see an EPA registration number on the product page. If you'd rather have a ready-mixed bottle than mix your own soap solution, it's the cleaner Balanced Body names in its own care instructions.

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Brand-by-brand cleaning notes

For brand-specific details, see our Balanced Body Allegro 2 review.

Pilates reformer maintenance schedule: daily, weekly, monthly

Cleaning pairs naturally with a quick safety check. Merrithew publishes the most detailed schedule:

• Daily: carriage stoppers fully inserted, rollers and rails wiped, shoulder rests seated, upholstery cleaned (plus the rope system on Max-series machines).
• Weekly: feet secure, footbar and hardware tight, springs inspected and replaced "immediately as needed." For the rollers, sit on the carriage and listen "for any thumping or grinding – the ride should be quiet and whisper-smooth."
• Monthly: pop-up pins, ropes, spring bolts, spring clips, knobs and straps.
• Yearly: replace all spring clips.
• Every two years: "Replace all Reformer springs."

Tap the diagram to enlarge

Other brands line up closely. BASI says to replace all springs after two years "regardless of if they are showing signs of wear," Peak Pilates recommends replacing each spring every two years, and Balanced Body says to replace its Signature Springs after about "3,000 hours of use." Gratz inspects springs weekly.

Cord-based machines are different. Stamina's AeroPilates 287 manual lists ropes, tension cords, pulleys, straps, foam pads and the platform cushion to check, and says worn or damaged parts "must be replaced immediately" or the machine should be taken out of service until repaired. Our guide to reformer springs vs. cords explains how the two systems differ.

The bottom line

You don't need a special reformer cleaner. Mild dish soap, warm water and two microfiber cloths cover the daily care Merrithew, Balanced Body, Peak Pilates and Gratz describe. The extras worth buying: a washable reformer towel if you sweat a lot, a rail-cleaning stick if you own a Merrithew, and a floor mat if you want to protect the floor under the machine, as Merrithew suggests. Buy Balanced Body Clean only if you want a ready-mixed bottle, since its disinfecting claim is the brand's own.

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Browse more home reformer guides in our home reformers category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Clorox or alcohol wipes on my reformer?

Not for routine cleaning. Balanced Body says to avoid alcohol, bleach or chemical cleaners because they can damage the upholstery, and BASI Systems warns against harsh alcohol-based cleaners, bleach and baby wipes. Merrithew doesn't recommend chemical-based products. Use mild soap and water instead.

What's the best cleaner for a Pilates reformer?

Merrithew, Balanced Body, Peak Pilates and Gratz all recommend a mild soap solution for day-to-day cleaning, followed by a clean-water rinse (Merrithew, Balanced Body, Peak) and drying. Balanced Body also sells Balanced Body Clean, which it says disinfects and extends the life of vinyl upholstery (brand claims).

How often should you clean a Pilates reformer?

Wipe the upholstery after every use, as Merrithew, Balanced Body and Balanced Body Australia recommend. Merrithew also lists the rails and rollers daily. Peak Pilates cleans tracks as needed and checks wheel axles every two to three months.

Should I lubricate the reformer rails or wheels?

Generally no. Merrithew says never to use oil lubricants because they may damage the rollers, and Balanced Body Australia says no silicone spray on rails or wheels. Gratz lubricates only the interior wheel bearing with a specific grease. Follow your own manual.

Can I use vinegar to clean a Pilates reformer?

None of the current manufacturer care pages we read list vinegar for reformer vinyl. Merrithew, Balanced Body, Peak Pilates and Gratz all recommend mild soap and water.

Can I use tea tree oil or essential oils on a reformer?

Balanced Body and Gratz both advise against it. Gratz says these oils can dry out the upholstery over time, leading to cracking, splitting and premature wear.

Sources

• Merrithew: Inspection & maintenance schedule for large equipment (PDF)
• Merrithew: Cleaning recommendations
• Merrithew: Best practices for keeping Merrithew equipment clean (2020)
• Merrithew: How to keep your Reformer in tip-top shape
• Merrithew: Ask the Expert: keep your Reformer rails and rollers clean
• Merrithew: Reformer Rail and Roller Cleaning Kit
• Balanced Body: Equipment cleaning and disinfecting recommendations (PDF, 2020)
• Balanced Body: Allegro 2 Reformer
• Balanced Body: Balanced Body Clean
• Balanced Body: Leather reformer straps
• Balanced Body: Allegro 2 Reformer maintenance guide
• Balanced Body Australia: Cleaning & safety
• Balanced Body Polska: Pilates equipment maintenance and inspection
• Peak Pilates: Equipment maintenance
• Gratz Pilates: Cleaning and how-to instructions
• BASI Systems: Pilates reformer maintenance: daily, weekly, monthly
• Stamina Products: AeroPilates Reformer 287 owner's manual (PDF)
• CDC: When and how to clean and disinfect your home
• Salt & Honey: Care instructions