How to Fix the Rolling Wheels on an Office Chair

Having an office chair on wheels is a big convenience, as long as those wheels are working properly. Over time the wheels can become clogged, damaged and dirty, and that will cause them to roll erratically, or not roll at all. Fortunately, there are some simple steps office workers can take to fix their own chairs and get them rolling again.

Lay the chair down on its side so that all four wheels are easily visible. Examine each wheel for signs of damage.

Fill a bowl with a solution of mild detergent and warm water. Dip a clean cloth in that solution and hold it against the wheel. Rotate the wheel slowly while holding the cloth in place. Continue moving the wheel past the cloth until all accumulated dirt has been removed.

Use a cotton swab to clean the difficult-to-reach parts of the chair's wheels. Dip the cotton swabs in the solution of detergent and water and carefully swab all the parts of the wheels and casters. Continue to swab those areas until the cotton swab comes away clean.

Pull any tangled carpet fibers or hair out of the casters with a pair of tweezers or fine-tipped scissors. Shine a flashlight at the wheel to make sure all blockages have been removed.