How to Clean the Wheels of an Office Chair
Just about every office chair comes standard with wheels (also known as casters) which allow you to move freely from one place to another with ease. If you are anything like me and sit in your office chair for eight hours a day, your chair will inevitably get some mileage on it. You may not even be aware how often your chair rolls around, even if it is to simply adjust the way you are sitting, almost every movement your body makes requires the chair to move.
When the wheels of your office chair stop working well, moving your chair may start to become a struggle rather than a convenience. Wheels often do not function properly because they become clogged with dirt, hair, dust, and other debris. Fortunately, cleaning the wheels of your chair is an easy task that does not require much work. It will also return your chair back to the enjoyable piece of furniture it once used to be.
The first step to getting your chair wheels squeaky clean again is to start by tipping your chair upside down, making the wheels of the chair stick up in the air. You may want to sit in another chair while beginning the cleaning process in order to avoid fatigue. If you are worried about getting your hands dirty come prepared by wearing latex gloves and have a trash bag readily available to throw away the debris as you go.
In order to remove larger debris, use a butter knife as your tool of choice to scrape them off. A butter knife will fit through the slots and under the wheel cover. These areas can easily be cleaned and will allow you to remove most of the debris that are preventing the wheels from rolling. Be tactful in how you use your knife to clean; too much force may create gouges in the plastic wheels which will prevent them from spinning properly. For removing unwanted hair from wheels, use a pair of tweezers.
Next you will want to remove the wheels from your chair. On most office chairs, the wheels can simply be pulled off with a little force. Some chairs may require a screwdriver to unscrew the wheels from the chair. Once the wheels are removed, rub the wheels down with a damp cloth in order to remove any excess grime or dirt. If you need assistance reaching inside the wheels, cotton swabs work great for getting in those tough to reach areas.
Once you are done cleaning your wheels, make sure to thoroughly dry each of them with a clean dry cloth, paper towel, or towel. If moisture remains inside the wheel, it can cause squeaking or allow dirt to stick easier. Spray the inside of each wheel with a spray lubricant. Wipe off any excess or dripping lubricant as it can attract dirt.
Once you are done cleaning, drying, and lubricating your chair simply pop your wheels back on and flip your chair back over. Your chair should roll good as new and depending on how often you use your chair, you should be good in the wheel cleaning department for awhile. The whole process is a pretty quick and should not take you more than ten minutes.