Best Treadmill Lubricant in 2023 and Experts Buyer’s Guide

What is the Best Treadmill Lubricant? If you own a treadmill long enough, you’ll need to lubricant it. Otherwise, the belt will start to stick, causing heat buildup and extra wear. Of course, when you spend hundreds on a treadmill, the last thing you want it to do is wear down faster than you need to. You don’t want to spend more money than you need to by not properly lubricating your treadmill. 

However, not all treadmill lubricants are made equal. You want one that is high-quality and works well. A low-quality treadmill lubricant will likely not keep your treadmill lubricated. 

In this article, we’ll help you find the best treadmill lubricants for your needs. Not all treadmill lubricants are made for all treadmills. Therefore, we highly recommend doing your research before making any purchases, as you want to purchase the correct treadmill lubricant for your needs. 

The Best Treadmill Lubricants

1. Spot On Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant – Best Overall

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With an applicator tube, the Spot On Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant is far easier to use than some other lubricants. It easily allows you to reach the full width of the treadmill belt, which makes getting even lubrication much easier. The extension is a full eight inches, so you should not have to loosen the belt to completely lubricate it. 

Furthermore, the tool and lid are created to give you an even flow. The precision twist spout can be used to easily dispense exactly where you want it to go. 

This lubrication is completely universal and can be used on any treadmill. It is non-toxic and odorless, making it safe for many uses. 

Each bottle contains 4 ounces, and it typically can be used to oil a treadmill four times. However, this does depend on the size of the treadmill. This formula is also made in the USA and is sold by a US company. 

2. Noosa Life Treadmill Belt Lubricant – Best Environmentally Friendly Lubricant

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This lubricant is 100% silicone and completely non-toxic. It is pure and not watered down, making it very efficient and easy to use. It is commercial grade and designed to work on all sorts of treadmills. 

Each tube has enough lubricant to last the average treadmill a year. For lasting that long, this lubricant is extremely inexpensive. It contains four ounces of lubricant, which should last most treadmills about a year. 

It comes with an extender that allows you to reach the whole treadmill without needing to take it apart or anything of that sort. Loosening and tightening your treadmill can damage the treadmill in some circumstances, and this applicator prevents you from needing to do that. 

This product is also made in the USA and is completely sustainable. It is also odorless and completely free from propellant. Because this lubricant is sustainable, it is great for those who are more environmentally minded.

3. Godora Silicone Treadmill Lubricant – Easiest to Apply

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Compared to other treadmill lubricants, this lubricant is pretty similar. It is designed to be very easy to apply with an extender. However, the cap on this lubricant seems to work better than it does on other bottles. Therefore, this is easily one of the better options on the market, simply because it is one of the easiest to apply. 

This silicone oil is also designed to work with nearly any brand. It is universal, so you don’t have to worry about matching it with certain brands. Of course, it’s universal compatibility also makes it very easy to use. You don’t have to worry about only using it on certain treadmills. 

What sets this treadmill apart from others is that it comes with a satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t like it for one reason or another, then you can ask the company for a 100% full money back guarantee. 

4. Sekoday Store 100% Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricants – Best Budget Lubricant

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Compared to other oils, this one is extremely inexpensive. However, you’re making some sacrifices for the cheaper cost. For instance, there is no extender on this tube. Therefore, you have to either purchase an extender separately or completely take apart your treadmill to apply the lubricant. 

With that said, this lubricant is pretty average beyond the problems with the applicator. For this reason, this oil can save you quite a bit of money. It performs the job well, as long as you can deal with the smaller applicator. 

However, many people may decide to spend an extra few dollars to get an extender. For this reason, we highly recommend considering whether you want this budget lubricant or whether you would rather get the extended applicator. 

5. Lube-N-Walk Treadmill Lubrication Kit – Best Premium Option

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For those who want to go all-out with their lubrication purchase, this is the kit you want. It comes with everything you need to easily lubricant your machine without too much of a problem. In all, it comes with a 24” application wand, which allows you to reach your whole treadmill with ease. You don’t have to worry about taking apart the whole treadmill to lubricate it, which can cause problems. 

It also comes with a 6-month supply of 100% silicone lubricant. Plus, it also comes with an instruction guide, which helps you get started if you’ve never lubricated a treadmill before. 

This kit is easy to use and comes with everything you need. For this reason, we highly recommend getting it if you have extra money to spend or no supplies. 

6. Sekoday 100% Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant – Best with Many Bottles

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This lubricant comes with two different bottles and two different extender applicators. The caps are designed for precision, which helps you control the flow of the lubricant. This cap helps you prevent overlubricating or under lubricating your belt. The last thing you want is to end up with lubricant all over your floor. Plus, it also saves the metal on your treadmill since it can eat away metal. 

The main benefit of this lubrication is that it comes with multiple bottles. Therefore, we highly recommend it for those that use their treadmill a lot. For instance, if you use it multiple times a week, then you’ll likely benefit from multiple bottles. You’ll save a bit of money this way. 

You can also purchase this lubricant in single bottles, as we mentioned earlier in this article. However, this way will save you a bit more money if you think you’ll use the extra bottle. 

7. IPO Multi-Purpose Lubricant – Best Multi-Purpose

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While most lubricants are designed particularly for treadmills, this lubricant can be used for all sorts of different purposes. It is completely pure and free from toxins. This lubricant is stable at even hotter temperatures, which prevents it from breaking down. Therefore, it ensures that it is usable after shipping and even if you don’t store it “correctly.” 

This lubricant can easily slide between the deck and get everywhere. Plus, there is an extra extendor lubricant that is extremely helpful for getting into the whole belt without needing to take it apart. You don’t have to loosen the belt at all, which is extremely helpful at the end of the day. 

This oil is completely colorless, so it won’t stain your fabric or anything else. 

It is fully compatible with most treadmills and other pieces of equipment, like bicycles and wheels. Therefore, you can keep this around your house to have a nice lubricant on hand whenever you need something. 

8. IMPRESA 100% Silicone Treadmill Lubricant – Best High-Quality Lubricant

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Compared to other lubricants, this one is quite expensive. However, it comes with a pretty easy-to-use bottle that makes it quite straightforward to use. It is easy to control the expulsion of the liquid, which helps you get it exactly where you need it – and not where you don’t. 

It is also made without any odors, so you don’t have to worry about it stinking up your treadmill. Furthermore, it is completely colorless, so you shouldn’t have a problem with it drying out, either. 

Thai lubrication is also made in the USA, and it works with practically any brand of treadmill. For this reason, we highly recommend it for those who don’t want to spend time matching their lubricant to their treadmill. 

9. Spirit Sole Fitness Tube of Treadmill Lubricant –  Best Refill

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If you have a separate lubricant applicator and just need to refill it, you may want to select this tube. It is designed to be applied to yoru treadmill every 30-40 hours, which should be every few months. It is four ounces of lubricant, and you should use about an ounce at every application. Therefore, it should last a year if you apply it quarterly. 

With that said, this lubricant is quite more expensive than other options out there. There isn’t much benefit to the increased price, either. For this reason, we don’t necessarily recommend it for those looking for a budget product. It just isn’t worth it. 

Furthermore, the vague bottle design is not very helpful. It is easy to confuse this lubricant with other lubricants, which can potentially be a serious problem. 

10. Sole Fitness Tread Belt Lube – Best Large Bottle

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This belt lubricant is much larger than other options. It is twice as big as most options on this list, which allows it to be used for years to come. If you use this treadmill about every few months, then you’ll likely be able to use this lubricant for at least two years. However, if you don’t use the treadmill regularly, then you may end up using it even longer. 

For the most part, this lubricant works. There don’t seem to be too many problems with it, despite the fact that it is so cheap and comes in such a large size. 

If you need a larger bottle of lubricant, then this bottle may be exactly what you’re looking for. However, keep in mind that it isn’t necessarily as great as other options out there. 

11. Food Grade Premium Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant – Best Food-Grade Oil

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If you’re looking for a belt lubricant that is extremely high-quality, then we recommend choosing this lubricant by CARTEGORY. It is food-grade, which makes it one of the highest quality options on this list. 

This silicone oil is completely non-toxic and could technically be eaten without much of a problem. (However, people typically do not eat silicone oil – but you could if you wanted to!)

We particularly like that this food-grade oil comes in two different viscosities. Therefore, you can choose the oil that fits the flow that you need. It is designed to flow easily onto a treadmill belt, but you can also utilize it for a variety of other functions as well. For this reason, this lubricant can be incredibly great if you have many machines that need lubrication. 

You can even use these oils for painting, especially due to the different flows provided. 

This lubricant can also be used with a wide variety of different treadmills. If the treadmill needs a non-petroleum silicone lubricant, then this treadmill is a great option. 

12. Horizon Fitness Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant – Best One-Use Containers

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This lubricant comes with three different applicators. You use the whole applicator once and then throw it away. If you’re worried about using too much oil, then these separately packed options may be a good idea.

However, this lubricant is more expensive than other options, and you only get three applications – unlike the four that most bottles contain. For this reason, we only recommend that you get this oil if you really feel like you need it. 

Overall, this belt lubricant is a great option for those who don’t feel confident using the correct amount. However, it is quite expensive for what it is, which is why we do not recommend it for most users. Instead, you’ll get more bang for your buck by choosing one of the other options. 

13. N\\A Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant – Best Tubbing 

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Like most lubricants on this list, this one is 100% silicone and designed for most treadmills. For this reason, it is a great option for most users, as you don’t have to worry about whether or not it is compatible with your treadmill. 

However, what really shines with this lubricant is the flexible hose that makes application extremely easy. We love this lubricant for wider treadmills, as the longer hose makes it extremely easy to reach those tight spaces. You can easily get the lubricant all the way into the treadmill without taking apart the belt, which can cause damages in some cases. 

The lubricant itself is high-quality and seems to work well on most treadmills. For this reason, we highly recommend it for most treadmill owners. Furthermore, this company also offers a satisfaction guarantee. 

14. Edsrdus Treadmill Belt Lubricant – Best with Multiple Nozzles

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Unlike most lubricants out there, this one comes with multiple nozzles, which makes it work better in a variety of situations. Now, instead of just having one nozzle, you can choose the nozzle that works before wherever you’re applying the silicone lubricant. 

It is also completely free from odor and quite environmentally friendly. Therefore, we highly recommend it for those who are more environmentally friendly or try to live a cleaner lifestyle. This treadmill is suitable for a wide variety of treadmills, including most of the top brands. Therefore, you don’t have to worry much about whether your treadmill is compatible or not. 

We particularly love that this bottle comes with both a precision cap and an extension that is specifically designed for getting into treadmill belts without the need to take them apart. The extension is quite long and should work with most treadmills. 

15. Treadlife Fitness Treadmill Maintenance Kit – Best Kit

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For those that are new to treadmills completely, you may want to try this maintenance kit. It includes everything you need to keep your treadmill well-lubricated and functioning correctly. It includes a long applicator wand and a year’s supply of lubricant. Instructions are provided as well, which is helpful if you’ve never lubricated a treadmill. 

The applicator wand is 22” long, which allows you to easily get the whole belt lubricated without much of a problem. This applicator prevents you from needing to continuously clean the treadmill or take it apart. 

We particularly like that this kit includes one whole year of lubricant, which is much more than most treadmill kits. For this reason, this is easily the best maintenance kit out there. If you’re looking for a complete kit, this is your best option. 

Buyer’s Guide

There is a surprisingly lot of stuff that goes into choosing the correct treadmill lubricant for you. For instance, you’ll need to consider the applicator, size, and ingredients. To help you choose the lubricant that will work best for your treadmill, we’ve written this complete guide to help you. 

Keep reading for all the information you need to know about choosing a treadmill lubricant that works for you. 

Ingredients

We highly recommend choosing a lubricant that is made out of silicone. This is the ingredient that most treadmills are compatible with. It does not destroy the belt like some other types of lubricants, and it doesn’t cost a huge amount of money. 

Therefore, while most decisions are personal, everyone should generally just purchase silicone lubricants – unless your particular treadmill requires something different. 

You should never use petroleum-based products on a treadmill. It will break the belt and eventually lead to extra wear and tear. Check the user manual for the exact ingredients that you should be purchasing for your treadmill. However, most of the time, it will be silicone, which is what we’ve included in our reviews above. 

Size

Which size lubricant you choose is mostly up to you. However, there are several factors that go into choosing the size that works best for you. 

For instance, choosing a bigger size often means that you save a bit of money. It is almost always cheaper to purchase one bigger bottle of lubricant than to purchase a bunch of smaller bottles. 

However, you may not want to choose a lubricant that is larger if you have not used it previously. If it doesn’t work, then you’ve just wasted your money on a whole lot of lubricant that you won’t use. 

Plus, if you don’t use your treadmill all that often, then you’ll probably won’t go through a whole bottle all that fast. For this reason, we highly recommend thinking carefully about what you’re trying to choose. 

With that said, there is no shelf life on a lubricant. Therefore, if you’re using it, then there is no reason not to purchase the larger lubricant bottle. 

Applicator 

The applicator on a lubricant really matters – even more so than the actual lubricant in the bottle. Without a proper applicator, you won’t actually be able to use the lubricant on the treadmill. Precision tips are very important, or the applicator is just going to pour out uncontrollably. 

Extenders are also extremely important. You want the applicator to reach the whole treadmill belt without needing to take apart the treadmill. Continuously loosening the belt can be an issue and harm the treadmill overtime, especially if you aren’t used to taking it apart. 

Therefore, it is best to focus on the applicator. Choosing applicators that are obviously high-quality is essential. However, it is also helpful to choose lubricants that come with many different tips, as it allows you to choose the best one for your situation. 

Purity 

Of course, when you’re choosing a lubricant, you want to choose one that is pure. Colorless and odorless lubricant is vital for keeping your treadmill in tip-top condition. Otherwise, you’re going to have a serious problem. 

Not only can colored lubricants cause serious problems for the treadmill, but they can also make a pretty big mess. If you drip some on the floor, it can easily stain. They may even stain your hands.

Plus, odors can be a problem as well. Not only can odors stink up the room when you first use it, but they can also cause a problem every time you get on the treadmill. When the belt heats up with use, it can make the scent be released all over again.

Impure oil just tends to be less helpful than pure options. Therefore, we recommend choosing the purist oil that you can manage. Otherwise, the lubricant may not actually work well on your treadmill. 

Cost

Lubricants are not terribly expensive. You can find a lubricant that will work for practically the whole year for about $10. However, some may cost twice as much as that, while others will be much cheaper. 

Therefore, if you have a budget, then pay attention to it. More expensive lubricants aren’t always better. Instead, they usually just come with more stuff. Most kits are more expensive, for instance, as they come with extras like applicator wands. 

However, you probably shouldn’t choose the cheapest lubricant out there unless it is all you can afford. Very cheap lubricants are often low-quality overall. While this isn’t always a problem, it can indicate that the lubricant has fillers, which can affect how well it works. 

Who Needs a Treadmill Lubricant?

Anyone who has a treadmill needs a treadmill lubricant. You will need to lubricate any treadmill regularly, depending on how often you need it. Even treadmills that are labeled as “no maintenance” typically require lubrication occasionally. 

Without the proper lubrication, the treadmill will quickly break down. Lubrication helps reduce the amount of friction that the belt is exposed to. If there is too much lubrication, then the belt may quickly wear down. The more worn the belt gets, the more friction it will create. In other words, without lubrication, your treadmill won’t last very long in the least. 

The belt is typically equipped with plenty of cotton fibers, which help reduce the friction on the belt. Without lubrication, these will also fall off, which will cause the belt to wear down even fast. 

For this reason, it is vital that you lubricate your treadmill regularly and often. Otherwise, you’ll end up being unable to use your treadmill. Maintenance will get more expensive, and you may need to perform costly repairs. 

How Often Do You Need to Lubricate a Treadmill?

Before lubricating your treadmill, we recommend taking a look at your treadmill’s owner manual. As you might imagine, maintenance schedules are usually included. Sometimes, these schedules will be listed by month. Other times, it will be listed as a number of hours of use. Occasionally, it will be both! It just depends on the company. 

Generally speaking, you’ll need to lubricate your treadmill every three months or after every 40 hours of use. If you live in a warmer area, you may need to lubricate your treadmill more, as the oil will evaporate faster. 

You can lubricate a treadmill too much, but this is fairly difficult to do. Instead, lubricating too little is far more common. When in doubt, aim for more lubrication, not less. 

How Do You Lubricate a Treadmill?

How exactly you lubricate a treadmill depends on the model. Most have explanations in the user manual, which is what we recommend using. Sometimes, lubricants will come with instructions as well. However, when the lubricant’s instructions are different from the treadmill’s instructions, go off what the treadmill says. 

Generally, you’ll need to apply a thick layer of lubricant to a section of the belt, which will then lubricate the rest of the treadmill when it is turned on. You’ll need to reach all the way to the middle of the belt, which can be surprisingly difficult. Usually, you won’t be able to reach yourself. Therefore, we recommend utilizing an applicator wand or getting lubricant with an extender. 

After you’ve applied the lubricant, we recommend letting the treadmill run for about five minutes to evenly distribute it everywhere. Don’t just let the lubricant sit on the treadmill, as it may dry and evaporate before you use it next, which can eliminate the point of the lubricant. 

The actual act of putting the lubricant onto the treadmill  is typically very easy. All you need to do is spread it around, making sure it is decently even. It doesn’t have to be perfect, since the act of turning on the treadmill is going to spread it around anyway. 

FAQs Of Best Treadmill Lubricant

We get a lot of questions about treadmill lubrication and the appropriate lubricant to purchase. Below, you’ll find some of the most common questions and their answers.  

What Can I Use to Lubricate My Treadmill?

You’ll find a lot of DIY options online for treadmills. However, it is typically the best bet to purchase one specifically made for treadmills. After all, these items are specifically made for treadmills, so they are usually the most appropriate option. 

With that said, most equipment manufacturers recommend using 100% silicone on treadmills. Other sorts of lubricants can potentially harm treadmills, so things like petroleum-based lubricants are not recommended at all. 

For this reason, we highly recommend choosing a silicone lubricant, preferably one that is specifically made for lubricating a treadmill. 

While you can use DIY options in a pinch, we don’t recommend this for the long-term. While it may work one or two times, it can damage your treadmill over time if you’re utilizing a DIY option. Plus, professional lubricants are simply easier to use. 

Can I Use WD 40 Silicone on My Treadmill?

We highly recommend that you only use silicone lubricants on your treadmill. WD 40 is not silicone-based. Instead, it is based on petroleum. Therefore, it can easily damage your treadmill and may not even lubricate it correctly. Therefore, we highly recommend purchasing a lubricant that is made for a treadmill. Otherwise, you may accidentally damage your treadmill over time. 

Simply put, WD 40 can easily damage the belt and body of the treadmill, as well as the motor. The metal body of the treadmill is actually very sensitive to lubricants, which can be corrosive in some situations. Therefore, we highly recommend only utilizing silicone. 

The last thing you want to do is accidentally destroy your treadmill. 

How Do I Know If My Treadmill Needs Lubricant?

To check your treadmill’s lubrication level, you can simply reach underneath the walking surface and feel the deck. It should have a thin layer of wax or oil. Your hand should not come back clean, in other words. 

If it does, then you need to lubricate your treadmill. 

Generally, it is very hard to lubricate a treadmill too much. The excess lubricate will simply run off. Unless your treadmill is literally dripping, then you haven’t overlubricated.

When in doubt, add more lubricant. People are much more likely to under lubricate than over lubricate, generally. If you think that you need to add lubricant, then you probably do. 

Can I Use Any Silicone Lubricant for a Treadmill?

Treadmills need to use 100% silicone lubricant. Therefore, if you have 100% silicone lubricant, then you can use it on a treadmill. It doesn’t necessarily matter if it was specifically designed for a treadmill. 100% silicone lubricant is always 100% silicone lubricant, even if it was made for something else.

However, you need to be cautious about adding ingredients in a lubricant. In some cases, companies may add items that are good for other things, but not necessarily good for treadmills. Therefore, be sure you’re actually using 100% silicone lubricant and not something else. 

Check for added ingredients before using it on your treadmill. 

What Happens if You Don’t Lubricate a Treadmill?

Without lubrication, there will be far too much friction when the treadmill is in use. This friction will lead to extra wear, as well as increased heat, which can cause problems on its own. You  likely won’t notice any problems right away, but after a few months without proper lubrication, the treadmill may be obviously worn. 

Therefore, the main point of lubrication is to expand the lifespan of your treadmill. It will still run without the lubrication, but it will wear down faster. 

Not only does the deck wear down with the excessive friction, but the motor will likely run into problems as well. This is because the excess friction makes it harder for the belt to move, making the motor work harder. Overtime, this will cause the motor to wear down over time. 

While skipping the lubrication may save you a bit of time, you’ll end up needing a new treadmill very quickly. Because treadmills are so expensive, this can quickly lead to spending thousands of dollars very quickly. 

Don’t skip on the lubrication, or you’ll end up losing your treadmill. 

Can I Use Vaseline to Lubricate a Treadmill?

No. You can not use vaseline on a treadmill, as it is a petroleum-based lubricant. Treadmills need to be lubricated with a silicone-based lubricant (preferably one that is only silicone).

Vaseline may be fine for other uses, but it can damage the parts of your treadmill. Therefore, it is not useful as a treadmill lubricant in the least.

While you can typically use any silicone-based oil on your treadmill, we highly recommend purchasing a specific lubricant that is designed for a treadmill. These lubricants are very inexpensive, and they are much safer for use on a treadmill. Therefore, there is little reason to not invest in one. 

How Do You Lubricate a Treadmill with Silicone Spray?

Lubricating a treadmill with silicone spray is just like lubricating it with anything else, except you simply need to spray it underneath the walking deck – not apply it with a wand. In this way, sprays can be much easier than other treadmill lubricants. 

However, you should ensure that you’re spraying across the whole width of the treadmill. It is very easy to just spray one section. Because it is a spray, you may overestimate it’s spread. Lubricating half of your treadmill is not going to be very helpful, though.

Once you’ve sprayed it, you’ll need to let your treadmill run at a slow speed for about five minutes to spread it around evenly. Then, check to ensure that your treadmill is properly lubricated. 

How Much Oil Should I Use to Lubricate My Treadmill?

Generally, you’ll want to use about an ounce of oil on your treadmill. However, there is no reason to carefully measure out exactly one ounce. Instead, you should apply a thick layer of lubricant across the whole width of your treadmill, and then turn the treadmill on to help the lubricant spread everywhere. 

We don’t recommend trying to measure out the exact amount of oil you need, as it will depend on many factors. Usually, you’ll need about an ounce. However, larger treadmills will need more lubricant, as will treadmills that haven’t been lubricated in a while. 

With that said, most people put too little lubricant on their treadmill. So, when in doubt, add more than you think you need. 

Why Does My Treadmill Smell Like Rubber?

There are a few reasons why your treadmill may smell like rubber. However, a lack of lubricant is one of the most common causes. Without lubrication, the rubber on your treadmill belt will heat up, which can make the treadmill start to smell. Therefore, you should lubricate your treadmill or at least check to see if it needs lubrication whenever you notice a rubber smell. 

A lack of cleaning can also be a cause. If there is too much dust and grime between the walking surface and the belt, then it may cause excessive friction. With that said, lubricating your treadmill will often help in this matter as well. Therefore, we recommend lubricating and cleaning in this case as well.

Conclusion

There are many quality treadmill oils on the market. All of them are made of silicone, which is the oil that should be used on most treadmills. 

While you can use a DIY option, you should ensure that it is silicone-based. WD40 and vaseline do not fall into this category and can potentially damage the treadmill. Therefore, they should be avoided at all costs.

Often, it is easier to just purchase a commercial option that is made specifically for treadmills than to try and come up with your own lubricant at home. We highly recommend that you remain cautious about anything you put on your treadmill, as the wrong oil can cause serious issues (and can be very difficult to get off).

We’ve included many of the best treadmill lubricants above, allowing you to choose the best option that works for your needs.