How to Clean the Inside & Outside of Office Chair Wheels

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Use everyday household objects to help your desk chair wheels glide like new

Co-authored by Brandon Beckwith

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

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Disassembling the Chair

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Cleaning inside the Wheels

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Cleaning the Outside of the Wheels

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

Having trouble sliding around in your rolling desk chair? If you find that it’s no longer moving smoothly across the floor, it may be time to clean your wheels. Over time, chair wheels accumulate dirt and build up debris. In this article, we’ll show you how to thoroughly clean both the inside and outside of your wheels to keep your chair rolling and looking nice. Let’s get started!

What's the easiest way to clean office chair wheels?

Flip your chair upside down to remove the wheels. Lay down a sheet to catch any falling debris.
Use your fingers or tweezers to pick up large, visible debris inside the wheels. Then, use duct tape or a vacuum to remove smaller particles.
Scrape or brush debris off the outside of the wheels, or soak them in soapy water for 10 minutes. Dry thoroughly before reattaching the wheels.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Disassembling the Chair

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Before beginning the cleaning process, protect the area where you will be cleaning. Lay out a plastic sheet underneath your rolling desk chair.^{[1]
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It’s easier to work with the wheels of your chair when they are elevated and fully exposed.^{[2]
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Remove the wheels. Most rolling desk chair wheels can be removed by simply pulling on them. However, some models require a screwdriver or wrench in order to remove the wheels. ^{[3]
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- If the wheels of your chair cannot be removed, remove the base or legs of the chair from the upper seat portion.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cleaning inside the Wheels

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Remove any small objects, stickers or larger pieces of debris that can easily be removed by hand.
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Use tools to help remove stuck debris. If any debris seems stuck, grab a pair of tweezers to remove it.^{[4]
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- Other tools to help remove debris include scissors, nail clippers, bottle cutters and screwdrivers.
Cut a strip of duct tape so that it can fit inside the wheel. Pat the piece of duct tape into the wheel so that the sticky tape can trap the small pieces of dirt. Once the dirt has attached to the piece of tape, remove the tape from the wheel and discard it.^{[5]
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Use a vacuum to capture any small pieces of dirt or debris that could not be picked up with tape. Ensure you are using a smaller vacuum attachment for easier access.^{[6]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Cleaning the Outside of the Wheels

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Scrub the outside of the wheel with a strong scrub brush. You may want to lightly soak the brush in soapy water.^{[7]
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Hold the knife so that it is parallel to the wheel. Slice in the direction that the wheel spins.^{[8]
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Soak the wheels in water and soap. Allow the wheels to soak in a soapy water mixture for at least 10 minutes. You may use a brush to continue scrubbing them while they soak. It is important that you clean the inside of the wheels and remove outer debris first before soaking them.^{[9]
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- If the wheels of your chair cannot be removed, use a hose to power wash the wheels and base of your chair. This may require moving your chair base outside or into the tub. The pressure of the hose may also help to loosen and remove debris.
- An alternate method to soaking the wheels is cleaning them with a cloth soaked in surface cleaner followed by a cotton pad soaked in rubbing alcohol.^{[10]
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- Depending on the material of the wheels, soaking them on a regular basis can lead to rust buildup and decay.
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Dry the wheels thoroughly. It is important to let the wheels dry thoroughly so that the moisture does not attract more dirt or debris. Dry with a cloth or let dry for a period of time. You may use a cotton swab to dry smaller areas you are unable to reach with a cloth.^{[11]
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- Coat the wheels with some WD-40 and make sure that they're completely dried so that they don't decay over time.
Once they are dry, put the wheels back on your chair or re-attach the base using the same tools you used to unattach them. Test that your chair is rolling smoothly by pushing it around the floor.^{[12]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How can I clean the hairs that are stuck onto the wheel?

Community Answer

Use a pair of needle-nosed pliers to grab the hair and pull while turning the wheel. Continue doing this as long as there is hair to grab.

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Tips

Try to use a chair mat underneath your chair and desk. The mat will assist your ease of movement around the desk area and discourage build-up in the wheels.^{[13]
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Most rolling desk chair wheels are universal. If you are unable or prefer not to clean the wheels of your chair, you may be able to buy a new set of wheels to replace your current ones.^{[14]
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Check the wheels regularly. There will be less debris to remove and it will be easier to remove if the wheels are checked often. Clean the wheels every six months.

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Warnings

One method for removing debris from inside the wheels involves using a torch, lighter or matches to burn the materials and then scrape them out from the wheel. This method should be used with extreme caution. Most wheels have plastic parts that can melt. In addition, the burning debris, usually human or pet hair, can leave a strong odor.^{[15]
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