When a squeaky sound starts to come from a chair as you shift around in it, it can be annoying. That pestering noise can emanate from all kinds of home office equipment— including office chairs, cabinets, and even desks. There is some good news, we can tell you what the best lubricants are for all things squeaky in your home office, if you have a squeaky office chair, we can help to provide you with the right fix.
My Office Chair has a squeak
Squeals and squeaks are usually a sign that something needs to be tightened or altered with a lubricating liquid (a type of Oil or Silicone). However, determining the correct lubricant for your needs may be difficult.
If you have a noisy office chair, but are finding it tricky to cure, then read this!
While silicone-based lubricants are excellent for metal, plastic, and rubber. These days most people that have a home office chair will most likely have one made from metal, plastic, and rubber. We will therefore focus on Oil & Silicone based lubricants.
If you do have a ‘retro’ wooden office, sorry!
But those squeaks, more likely ‘creaks’ will be wooden in nature, and therefore a wax will be best. If it has plastic or metal parts, then read on… as they’ll most likely be cured by one of the items we discuss below.
Diagnosing the Problem
Before you can fix your squeaky desk chair, it’s important to identify the source of the noise. By following these simple steps, you can easily diagnose the problem:
- Scan the Bolts, Nuts & Screws: Start by turning the chair over and examining all the hardware. Use a screwdriver or wrench to tighten any loose or flexible components. Over time, screws and bolts can become loose, causing parts of the chair to rub together and create squeaky sounds.
- Lube the Mechanisms: Apply lubricating oil to all the nuts, screws, and bolts to loosen the joints. You can either spray the oil directly on the mechanisms or use a cotton cloth to apply it to hard-to-reach areas. Regularly lubricating the chair can also prevent rust from forming.
- Discard and Lubricate Bolts & Screws: If the chair continues to squeak even after tightening and lubricating, remove all the bolts and screws, and grease them with a light appliance oil before reinstalling them.
- Have Someone Sit in the Chair: To pinpoint the exact location of the squeak, ask a friend to sit in the chair and swivel from side to side. Applying weight to the chair will make it squeak, allowing you to identify the source of the noise more accurately. Each time you apply oil, have your friend swivel the chair to ensure it’s being applied to the right spot.
Fixing Specific Issues
Now that you have diagnosed the problem, let’s explore some specific solutions for common issues that cause a squeaky desk chair.
Loose Springs
A chair that squeaks when you lean back is often due to tension and friction between the ends of the springs and the housing. Here’s how to fix it:
- Settle Down & Stabilize the Springs in the Chair’s Back: Spray oil on the seat tension spring located in the turn-knob housing. Loosen the tension turn-knob and remove it to apply oil inside the housing. This will reduce friction and eliminate the squeak.
Wheel Problems
Desk chairs with wheels are prone to squeaking due to axle issues. Follow these steps to solve the problem:
- Roll or Whirl the Chair Back & Forth: Turn the chair over and apply silicone spray to the wheels. Then, flip the chair back over and roll it to distribute the silicone throughout the wheel’s surroundings. This will lubricate the axles and prevent squeaking.
Preventive Measures
To ensure your desk chair remains squeak-free, here are some preventive measures you can take:
- Maintain Gentle Etiquette: Avoid sudden and forceful movements when sitting down on the chair. This will minimize wear and tear and prevent loosening of joints.
Preventive Measures – Wooden Chairs
- For Wooden Chair owners, consider which of the following products would be best to resolve your squeaky wooden chair:
- Wood Glue for Loose Joints: If your chair has loose leg joints, applying wood glue to the junction can help solidify and fix them. Select an appropriate wood glue, apply it to the joint, and wipe off any excess glue with a wet rag.
- A wood-swelling remedy to address the squeak be be the best solution, for an slightly ill-fitting joint.
- Also, a wood lubricant wax, may be the best choice for wooden chairs where its mechanics are sound.
What’s the best Lubricant for a Squeaky Office Chair?
A Penetrating Oil or Silicone will work wonders to repair a squeaking chair that has rusted. These fluids have low viscosity, allowing them to seep into tiny apertures. This allows the lubricant to loosen, then lubricate the corroded or rusted bolt, nut or screw.
Consider a lubricant with PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) in its recipe, for a more longer-lasting solution.
To take a look at the finest lubricants for your squeaky chair with all of these materials and features in mind, then read on.
What if the squeak or squeal is from some office furniture?
More often than not it will be a chair that someone needs to fix, though If the annoying sound emanates from a piece of furniture – assuming it is from a hinge, or mechanism, then continue to read on. The Oil & Silicone lubricants below will undoubtedly fix the issue. Simply choose which you feel will be the best match.
<Spoiler Alert>
<Spoiler Alert>
We’d say Number 5 in this article would suffice!
<Spoiler Alert>
<Spoiler Alert>
1 – The Best Silicone Spray Lubricant
WD-40 High Performance Silicone Lubricant
Everybody must either have heard of WD-40, or come across at some point its everywhere! But, did you know WD-40 manufacture several variants of their product?
WD-40 Specialist Lubricant is a safe, effective choice for use at home or in commercial settings because it’s fast-drying, won’t create a sticky mess, and doesn’t leave a strong odor in the air. This silicone formula is waterproof, does not deteriorate when exposed to present grease, and outperforms the original WD-40 formulation in terms of resistance to corrosion.
It’s also suitable for a range of chair parts, including non-metal materials such as plastic, vinyl, or rubber.
The can is also available with a redesigned straw – dubbed the “Smart Straw” by the manufacturer – that is permanently attached to the container and may be flipped up for application on hard-to-reach regions.
2 – The Best General Purpose Lubricant for Home Office Applications
Liquid Bearings 100% Synthetic Oil
Although not a well known brand like WD-40, Liquid Bearings offer a product that is directly marketed on Amazon.com as being for the home office user. Their product description reads: ‘Liquid Bearings 100%-Synthetic Oil for Squeaky Office Chairs, Sticky File Cabinet Drawers, and All Office Equipment.’
It is a totally synthetic and odorless lubricant and is safe to be applied to plastics as well a metal components.
It is supplied with 2 application needles, so you can lubricate those hard to reach areas where a squeak might be located. They are sized 1/2″ 1-1/2″ and come complete with scabbards (covers) so they can be kept applied to the bottle to stop it leaking, and to stop it from being contaminated.
Being totally synthetic, it has been developed to not leave a sticky residue, thus ensuring the mechanism it has been applied to does not clog-up, which can occur with other lubricants.
3 – The Best Lubricant With PTFE
3 In 1 Multi-Purpose Lubricant with PTFE
3-IN-ONE’s all-purpose lubricant will work on a variety of different materials. It’s easy to handle and get the precise amount where you want it thanks to the squeeze bottle, and is odorless.
It’s great for lubricating metal joints, such as the ones on your typical office chair legs, wheels and mechanisms. With the use of PTFE, a polymer often utilized in nonstick cookware and other cookware, The composition can, in fact, lower the friction between surfaces even more – making joints last longer.
This is a handy lubricant to have on hand at all times, for all those other annoying sounds (like squeaky door hinges).
4 – A Penetrating Oil Designed For Freeing Rusted Metal Components
Kano Aero Kroil Penetrating Oil
While this penetrating oil by Kano doesn’t come cheap. If a rusty screw, nut, bolt, or other jammed metal component is causing your squeak, this aerosol spray can help release it.
According to the maker, it was made to be able to slide into holes as tiny as one millionth of an inch! Just squirt the solution on your chair’s problem joint or bolt and wait 15 minutes, maybe longer for more corroded areas.It cleans out rust and other gunk, allowing you to re-tighten components and minimize creaky sounds.
The term “low viscosity” refers to oil that is highly flexible and able to glide over other surfaces with little resistance. It’s specifically designed for rust prevention on metal components that have or may been subjected to the elements.
Please be aware, it can leave a strong, lingering odor.
5 – The best Dedicated ‘Squeak’ Stopper
Squeaks Gone All-Purpose Lubricant
Again, not in the ‘Super-lube’ WD-40 bracket, but this product is specifically designed for getting rid of those annoying squeaks. What does draw you in is that it is a Veteran owned business, a noble quality which makes you want to buy it anyway!
That said, it is a good product in its own right, its an odorless, non-toxic and safe lubricant which can be used on a variety of items, forming a long-lasting bond which also protects. The application nozzle could be better, and is also quite expensive for the volume; but as a lubricant it is very highly rated by those that purchased and used it to get rid of unwanted squeaks.
What would be our choice… and why?
We opted for Squeaks Gone.
Why?
Well, it is a product which specifically targets those unwanted squeaks, and that’s why you’re here, right? Not only is the right product for the right job, but its also very good at achieving what has been bought for – stopping those squeaks.
In addition, its reviews are great and it is an environmentally friendly product that is safe to use around children and family pets.
So what about the others..? Liquid Bearings was narrowly pushed into second on the basis of the great reviews Squeaks Gone has. We also like the fact it is owned by Veterans. Liquid Bearings is ideal for the home office user, and is the easier product to apply, given its applicator needles – certain users may need to get it into a tight spot!
As for the other lubricants, although they may well get rid of your squeak, they are designed general use, say on your bicycle or lawn mower. As such they are of greater volumes, maybe more than you need? An annoying squeak, really won’t require that much lubricant.
But, if you have other items in and around the house that you need lubricating then from an economic perspective, either one of them may be the best choice – just check which type would be best suited.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How can I stop old wooden chairs from squeaking?
Consider using a wood-swelling remedy to address the squeak. Wood-swelling properties such as Wood Swell & Lock or Chair Lock can help solidify and secure loose dowels.
Q: Why is my gaming chair so squeaky?
Excessive tension in the backrest area, where the springs touch the housing ends, can cause squeaking. Loosen the seat tension turn-knob, remove it, and apply oil directly into the housing to resolve the issue.
Q. The gas Piston thing on my chair is squeaking, how should I fix it?
This is the Pneumatic Gas Cylinder which allows you to easily raise or lower your chair – exercise caution here, they have been know to explode! It might be a simple fix by lubricating cylinder, we would advise you to consult the manufacturer as it could be that the part is failing. The article linked above illustrates how this may be dangerous.
The Best Office Chair & Furniture Lubricants – Side by Side Comparison
Here is a quick side by side table featuring the products we review below – just in case you’re in a hurry.
