How to Clean Massage Equipment Safely

Massage equipment touches skin, picks up sweat, lotion and dust, and in the case of a foot spa, holds standing water. Keeping it clean makes it nicer to use and gives you a regular reason to look it over for damage. The complication is that most of it is electrical, so the usual approach of “put it in the sink” is exactly what you must not do. This guide covers the general rules, then massage guns, cushions, foot spas and non-powered tools in turn.

Five rules for anything with a plug or battery

1. Switch off and unplug first. Remove it from the charger as well. Electrical Safety First points out that the body conducts electricity more easily in wet conditions, increasing the risk and severity of electric shock, so cleaning with a damp cloth and a live device do not mix.
2. Let heated parts cool.
3. Never immerse the powered part, hold it under a tap, or spray cleaner directly onto it. Spray onto the cloth instead.
4. Keep liquid out of vents, seams, buttons and charging ports.
5. Let everything dry completely before reassembling, charging or plugging in.

Your manual takes priority over all of this. Materials, coatings and water resistance differ between models, and some manufacturers name specific cleaners to use or avoid.

Massage guns

• Attachment heads: remove them. Hard plastic or silicone heads can usually be wiped with a lightly damp cloth and a little mild soap, then wiped again with plain water and dried. Foam heads absorb liquid, so wipe them lightly and let them air-dry fully. Check the manual before using alcohol wipes, as some materials degrade.
• The body: wipe with a barely damp cloth, then a dry one. Keep well away from the air vents and the charging port.
• Frequency: wipe heads after each use if they have touched bare skin or lotion, and always between different users.

For what each head is for, see massage-gun attachments explained, and for technique, how to use a massage gun more safely.

Massage cushions

• Most cushions are surface-clean only. Wipe the cover with a lightly damp cloth and mild soap, then a dry cloth.
• If the cover is removable, check the care label before washing it. Never put the cushion itself, or any part containing the mechanism or heating element, in a washing machine.
• Do not use the heat function to dry a damp cushion. Let it air-dry, and do not reconnect it until every part is completely dry.

Set-up and use are covered in how to use a massage cushion.

Foot spas

A foot spa needs cleaning after every use, because warm standing water and skin residue are an unpleasant combination if left.

1. Unplug with dry hands, then empty the basin. Do not carry it while it is plugged in.
2. Rinse the basin, then wipe it with a soft cloth and mild detergent, or the cleaner your manual recommends.
3. Remove any detachable rollers, splash guards or filters, and wash and dry them separately if the manual allows.
4. If your manual describes a cleaning cycle for the jets, follow it as written.
5. Dry the basin with a clean towel and leave it open to the air until fully dry before storing.

See how to use a foot spa for set-up and safety.

Balls, rollers and other non-powered tools

Massage balls and solid rollers can be washed with warm water and mild soap and then dried. Foam rollers should be wiped, not soaked, because foam can hold water. Let everything dry before putting it away in a bag or drawer.

What not to use

• Do not mix cleaning chemicals.
• Avoid abrasive pads and scouring powders, which scratch surfaces and make them harder to clean next time.
• Avoid solvents unless your manual names them as safe.

Inspect while you clean

Cleaning is the natural moment for a safety check. The Health and Safety Executive notes that most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination, and that simply looking for signs of damage is a good way of maintaining portable electrical equipment. Look for:

• splits, kinks or exposed wire in cables, and cracked plugs or chargers;
• cracks in a casing or foot-spa basin;
• loose attachments or rattling parts;
• a battery-powered device that is swollen, unusually hot, or has a changed smell.

Electrical Safety First advises that burn marks, buzzing or crackling sounds, blown fuses, tripping circuit-breakers, or a product that feels hot to touch should not be ignored: unplug it and contact the retailer, manufacturer or a qualified repair technician. It also notes that electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think and that the response rate to recalls is often low, so it is worth checking whether anything you own has been recalled. Stop using damaged electrical equipment. Do not attempt an improvised repair.

Storage

• Store everything dry, in a dry place, out of direct sunlight.
• Coil cables loosely. Do not wrap them tightly around the device.
• Keep attachment heads together in a clean bag or case.
• Follow the manual’s guidance on charging and long-term storage for battery devices.

The bottom line

Unplug first, never immerse anything powered, keep liquid away from vents and ports, use mild soap and a damp cloth, and dry everything fully before it goes back on charge. Clean a foot spa after every use. Use the cleaning routine to check cables, plugs and casings, and retire anything that is damaged.

Sources

• Health and Safety Executive, “Portable appliance testing FAQs”
• Electrical Safety First, “Staying safe in your bathroom”

Last reviewed: 19 September 2026. This article is general information about everyday relaxation and is not medical advice.