Office chair wheels gradually get wrapped in hair, carpet fibres and dust. The chair starts to roll in jerks, squeak, scratch the floor and leave dark streaks on laminate.
Most chairs have swivel castors that turn 360 degrees around a vertical axis, and some models combine them with fixed wheels. Both are cleaned the same way, and the job takes about half an hour.
What you will need
- a flat screwdriver or scraper
- a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool
- a bowl of warm soapy water
- a stiff brush or an old toothbrush
- fine P240 to P280 sandpaper (if needed)
- WD-40 Specialist Silicone for the wheel axles
- WD-40 Multi-Use for the chair's metal mechanisms
- a clean cloth
Important: Do not lubricate or dismantle the gas lift: it is a pressurised unit. Apply lubricant only to the wheel axles and wipe off any excess so it does not get onto the floor or carpet.
Step 1
Remove the wheels
Turn the chair over onto a soft surface. Most castors sit on a vertical stem pushed into a hole in the base and come out with a firm, straight pull. If one will not budge, lever it with a screwdriver. Some castors are fixed with a screwed plate, which needs unscrewing.
Step 2
Clear hair and debris
Use a scraper or thin screwdriver to clear wound-on hair, threads and dust balls, working through the slots and under the wheel cover. Do not force it, or you may gouge the plastic: dents on the tread stop the wheel rolling evenly.
Vacuum out the remaining dust with a crevice tool.
Step 3
Wash the wheels
Soak the wheels in warm soapy water for about 10 minutes to soften sticky grime. Then scrub each one with the brush, especially around the axle, rinse well and leave to dry completely.
Step 4
Smooth and lubricate
If the tread is scratched or has burrs, sand it lightly with fine P240 to P280 paper so it meets the floor more evenly.
Apply a few drops of WD-40 Specialist Silicone to the axle and stem of each wheel, spin it and wipe off the excess. Silicone does not leave a sticky film that picks up dust. A straw makes it easy to apply precisely.
Step 5
Refit the wheels
Push the stem of each dry wheel back into its hole in the base and press firmly until it clicks. If the castors are screwed on, tighten the screws securely. Stand the chair up and check that every wheel rolls freely and quietly.
Tip: If the chair creaks when you lean back, spray
WD-40 Multi-Use onto the metal pivots and the spring of the tilt mechanism, rock back and forth a few times and wipe off the excess. The thin straw of
WD-40 Smart Straw reaches tight spots easily.
What next
Clean office chair wheels every six months, or more often if the chair stands on carpet or you have pets. Clean castors do not scratch the floor and the chair lasts longer.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».