You’ve bought your first metal fidget tool and have used it every day. It has brought you a lot of joy, and you can even pull off a few cool tricks now. In fact, you’ve grown so attached to it that you struggle to put it down!
After a few months of daily use, however, you might notice that your spinner doesn’t spin as long as it used to. Before you throw it away and reach into your pocket for a replacement—while FokusForge would love another sale, we care deeply about our customers and the longevity of our products. That’s why we’ve created this care guide to help you keep your gear performing at its absolute best.
What's Slowing Down Your Spin?
Below are two of the biggest culprits behind reduced spin times:
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Pocket Lint: After a spin session, fidget spinners often end up back in pockets where lint accumulates. Over time, small fibers make their way into the bearing, creating friction and slowing down the rotation.
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Hand Oils & Buildup: Let's be honest—we don't always have hand sanitizer nearby, and hands naturally sweat and transfer oils. As you handle your spinner, dirt and gunk gradually build up and migrate toward the bearing, reducing performance.
How to Maintain & Clean Your Fidget Spinner
Most of our spinners can be disassembled, but handle the components carefully during the process to avoid damaging any threads or precision parts.
Here are two effective methods to get your fidget spinner spinning like new again:
Method 1: Soap & Water
What You Need:
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Mild dish soap and warm water
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A soft toothbrush
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A lint-free cloth
Instructions:
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Disassemble the spinner. (It's even better if you can safely remove the bearing from its housing.)
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Clean the body: Dip the toothbrush into warm, soapy water and gently scrub the housing inside and out. Rinse thoroughly under warm running water and set aside to dry.
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Clean the bearing: Give the bearing a thorough brushing with the soapy water to scrub out trapped debris. Spin the bearing in both directions while scrubbing, then rinse well with warm water.
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Dry thoroughly: Use a lint-free cloth to dry all body components. Give the bearing a few rapid spins to force out any trapped water droplets. Ensure the bearing is completely dry to prevent rust.
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Reassemble: Put all the components back together and enjoy the smooth spin.
Method 2: Isopropyl Alcohol (Recommended Deep Clean)
What You Need:
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Isopropyl alcohol (Rubbing alcohol)
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Mild dish soap and water (optional, for the outer body)
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A soft toothbrush
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A small container
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A lint-free cloth
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Optional: Safety glasses
Instructions:
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Disassemble the spinner.
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Soak the bearing: Pour a small amount of isopropyl alcohol into a container and submerge the bearing. Let it soak for a few minutes.
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Clean the body: While the bearing soaks, clean the frame and caps using warm, soapy water, then dry them with the lint-free cloth.
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Scrub the bearing: Remove the bearing from the alcohol and gently scrub it with the toothbrush dipped in alcohol. (Safety Tip: Keep your face away from the workspace to avoid alcohol splashes, or wear safety glasses.)
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Flush out remaining debris: Spin the bearing back and forth a few times. The alcohol will reach deep internal spaces that the toothbrush bristles can't access.
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Dry: Isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly. Spin the bearing rapidly to accelerate drying. Dry the housing with a lint-free cloth, but avoid using the cloth directly on the bearing to prevent new fibers from catching inside.
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Reassemble: Once every part is completely dry, reassemble your spinner.
To Oil or Not to Oil?
Why you should skip the lubricant:
Applying a drop of oil might make your spinner run silently, giving you a sense of success—but oil actually slows down the spin time by creating viscous drag. Furthermore, oil acts as a magnet for dust and lint, causing gunk to build up much faster than it would on a dry bearing.
We strongly recommend keeping your bearings clean and dry. However, if you prefer a quieter spin over maximum spin duration, use no more than one tiny drop of low-viscosity sewing machine oil or speed cream directly on the bearing balls.
Helpful Care Guides & Resources
For additional detailed steps and visual guides, check out these resources:
Happy Spinning!