Maintaining A Squeaky Wheelchair

Whether for a longer or shorter period of time, a wheelchair is sometimes exposed to enormous stress during use. Regardless of whether it is used on the road, on vacation on the beach or on rough terrain, a wheelchair is often required. It is therefore very prone to malfunctions or wear and tear, in which case the wheelchair may squeak. However, this does not necessarily mean that you have to replace the wheelchair. Maintaining or servicing a squeaky wheelchair is easy and requires little effort.

Instead, it makes sense to maintain a squeaky wheelchair so that it can be used for as long as possible. Proper care and maintenance of a wheelchair can save you time-consuming repairs and thus money. The following article provides helpful tips for caring for a squeaky wheelchair. This often doesn’t even require a lot of manual skill, just an attentive eye and a step-by-step approach. Small improvements often help to make the wheelchair look like new.

Things you will need

Step 1

CHECK THE CONDITION

Even before the wheelchair squeaks, it should be checked at regular intervals. This includes, for example: checking the tire pressure at least once a month. The wear and tear of the brakes should also be checked during this period and the general condition of the brakes. It is just as important to take a close look at the moving parts of the wheelchair, including the back support. The seat cushions and footrests can also be the cause of the wheelchair’s squeaking. Not to be forgotten is the entire wheelchair frame. This can sometimes lead to wear and rust, which can cause a squeak.

Step 2

CLEANING THE WHEELCHAIR

Maintaining a squeaky wheelchair also means giving it a thorough cleaning. The mildest possible soap should be used, upholstery or various bearings should be left out when cleaning. After cleaning with soap, rinsing with clear water and intensive drying of the wheelchair takes place. This means that there is no rust whatsoever. To give the wheelchair additional protection, however, it can help to lubricate it with the WD-40 multifunctional product. The wheelchair is so little affected by moisture from cleaning and the weather. In addition, lubricating the moving parts protects them from wear. The squeaking may have already been done during cleaning.

Step 3

OIL VARIOUS PARTS TO RESTORE MOBILITY

To maintain a squeaky wheelchair, moving parts should be oiled regularly. Here, for example, the WD-40 multifunctional product can help to make rusted or overly stuck parts movable again. Often a few drops are enough, for example on the brakes, so that the wheelchair no longer squeaks. In addition, you should oil the wheels at their screw connections. This also applies to the smaller wheels on the front of the wheelchair. If you are unsure, it is best to read the operating instructions for your wheelchair carefully.

Step 4

RETIGHTEN SCREWS IF NECESSARY

In order to maintain the squeaky wheelchair, it can often be enough to routinely check all the screws on the wheelchair. Especially with frequent use, it can happen that the screws are screwed too tight and the wheelchair squeaks as a result. This circumstance can also occur if the wheelchair has not been used for a long time. You should therefore regularly check and oil screws on the wheels or the backrest, for example. By completely unscrewing the screws, you can check them at the same time and screw them back on properly after a little oiling. A suitable wrench or screwdriver are the only tools you need.

Step 5

REGULAR CHECKS ARE IMPORTANT

In order to maintain the squeaky wheelchair, you have to check it regularly. The brakes in particular should be checked regularly, preferably every few days or at least once a week. A more thorough check of all parts should be carried out around every two months to make sure that the wheelchair is working properly. After all, it is also used outside in public spaces and may pose a risk to other road users and pedestrians. Anyone who owns a wheelchair should have it professionally serviced once or twice a year.

CONCLUSION

So it's not that difficult to maintain a squeaky wheelchair. Above all, it is important to regularly check the entire wheelchair. This also includes the moving parts of the brakes, upholstery and backrest as well as checking the tire pressure. It is just as sensible to regularly clean the wheelchair gently, for both hygienic and practical reasons. Any wear and tear can be detected immediately during cleaning. In addition to cleaning, it is also advisable to treat moving parts of the wheelchair regularly with the WD-40 multifunctional product. This is an effective and simple way of preventing wear and tear. These steps only take a few moments and the safety of the wheelchair is restored.

The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.