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How to clean office chair wheels
Dirt can build up on the wheels of your office chair, reducing their ability to roll. However, this is not the only drawback of the accumulation of dust, lint, hair and other elements on this part of your desk chair.
Keeping your chair wheels clean will let you extend their service life and keep them working like new for longer. Learn with Officechair365 how to clean your chair wheels properly. And if you also want to clean the seat, the backrest or remove bad odours, you can check out this complete guide to cleaning an office chair.
Steps to clean the wheels of a chair
To clean the wheels of your desk chair effectively, it is best to do it with a bit of patience and following an order. This way you can remove the accumulated dirt better and avoid damaging the parts during the process.
Remove the wheels
Before you start, place the chair upside down on a stable surface. You can rest it on a rug, a blanket or a soft surface so as not to scratch the floor or damage the backrest or the armrests.
On most operative swivel chairs, the wheels can be removed by pulling them firmly. If they are very tight, you can help yourself with a flat screwdriver, prising carefully so as not to damage the axle or the base of the chair.
Once removed, place all the wheels together on a clean surface to check them one by one.
Remove the wheels
Before you start, place the chair upside down on a stable surface. You can rest it on a rug, a blanket or a soft surface so as not to scratch the floor or damage the backrest or the armrests.
On most operative swivel chairs, the wheels can be removed by pulling them firmly. If they are very tight, you can help yourself with a flat screwdriver, prising carefully so as not to damage the axle or the base of the chair.
Once removed, place all the wheels together on a clean surface to check them one by one.
Remove the embedded debris
The first cleaning step consists of removing the visible dirt residue. It is common for wheels to accumulate hair, threads, dust, lint or small particles that get trapped around the axle.
You can use tweezers, small scissors or a utility knife very carefully to cut the tangled hair. Do not pull too hard, as you could strain the wheel or damage the mechanism.
Afterwards, run a small brush, such as an old toothbrush, over the outer and inner area of the wheel. This will help you loosen the most superficial dirt before washing them.
Wash and lubricate the wheels
Once you have removed the larger debris, clean the wheels with warm water and a little neutral soap. You can help yourself with a damp cloth or with the brush to reach the more difficult areas.
Avoid using corrosive products, bleach or overly aggressive cleaners, as they could deteriorate the plastic or the material of the wheels. If the dirt is very embedded, let the soapy water act for a few minutes and rub gently again.
After washing them, dry each wheel well with a clean cloth. It is important that no moisture residue remains on the axle or in the joining area with the base of the chair.
Once dry, you can apply a small amount of suitable lubricant to the axle so they turn more smoothly. Do not use too much product, as the excess can attract more dust over time.
Refit the wheels
When the wheels are clean, dry and lubricated, put them back on the base of the chair. Insert each wheel into its housing and press until it is well seated.
Before using the chair normally, set it back in an upright position and check that all the wheels turn correctly. Move it gently across the floor to make sure there are no blockages or irregular movements.
If any wheel still does not turn well after cleaning it, it may be worn or damaged. In that case, it may be advisable to replace it with a new one or check compatible wheels for office chairs options.
Can you clean chair wheels without removing them?
It is possible to clean chair wheels without removing them, but this will only be worthwhile when there is not too much dirt or to prevent too much debris from building up. In other words, it can serve as basic day-to-day maintenance.
To do it, tilt the chair slightly and check each wheel. You can remove visible hair or lint with tweezers and wipe the outer part with a damp cloth. You can also use a small brush to remove the dust that builds up in the turning area.
If what you want is a deeper clean that lets you make the most of the features of all the parts of your ergonomic chair, it is best to follow the steps in the previous section and remove the wheels.
It is not something you have to do daily, but you should do it with a certain frequency to prevent dirt from building up and the wheels from getting blocked or damaged.
Cleaning the wheels without removing them is more superficial maintenance and, in many cases, does not allow you to remove all the dirt well. Hair can get tangled around the axle and lint can obstruct the wheel, preventing it from working normally.
Tips to keep the wheels clean for longer
Carrying out proper maintenance of the wheels of our office chair lets us extend its service life and save on costs. In addition, it guarantees smoother rolling, something very useful in daily work.
Given the benefits of regularly cleaning the wheels of your office chair, follow these tips so that this cleaning lasts longer:
- ✓ Chair and wheel model: take into account the model of chair and wheels before cleaning them. If you have doubts about compatibility or materials, you can check this guide about types of wheels for office chairs.
- ✓ Frequent cleaning: clean the wheels a couple of times a month to prevent dirt from building up.
- ✓ Debris removal: remove hair, threads and lint as soon as you spot them so they do not wind around the axle.
- ✓ Gentleness: carry out this maintenance gently, both when removing the wheels and when putting them back.
- ✓ Suitable products: do not use corrosive products that can deteriorate the plastic or the mechanism.
- ✓ Clean floor: vacuum the floor frequently, especially if you work in an area with rugs, pets or a lot of traffic.
- ✓ Floor protection: use protective mats for a desk chair so the wheels accumulate less dirt and the floor wears less.
