Ever get the feeling there’s something slowing you down? Maybe you missed your morning cuppa – or perhaps there’s just something caught in the wheels of your office chair.
There’s a variety of little bits of debris and detritus that can sometimes get trapped in your chair’s wheels, but one of the most common by far is hair. It’s not always the easiest thing to notice at the time either, and it’s terrible for quietly building up until you suddenly notice it’s a lot harder to scoot over to your desk.
The good news is that clearing it away takes very little time, and there are a couple of different ways you can do it. If it’s an issue you’re dealing with at the moment, here are a few of the best methods you might want to try.
5 easy methods to remove hair from your office chair’s wheels
1. With a pair of scissors
Probably your go-to option, let’s be honest. A pair of scissors is often all you need to cut through any hair that’s wrapped around your chair’s castors. Before you get started, turn your chair onto its side or upside down and make sure that it’s stable before you begin. As well as being a lot safer, it also gives you clear access to each wheel. Then, slide one blade of the scissors carefully beneath the tangled hair and make a few short cuts around the wheel, taking care to keep the blade away from your fingers and the castor housing. Once the strands loosen, just pull them away by hand.
If there’s a thick build-up, remove it in small sections until the wheel turns freely again. Take your time – that generally makes the job a lot easier, and helps you clear away every strand.
2. With a crochet hook
You may or may not have a crochet hook to hand, but if you don’t then it’s worth getting one – it’s ideal for pulling out any long strands that have wrapped tightly around the wheel and axle. The small hooked end can easily catch the hair, making it less of a hassle to tease out tangles without cutting through them.
Again, turn your chair onto its side or upside down and make sure that it’s secure before you begin. Then, work the hook into the edge of the build-up and rotate the wheel slowly as you pull the hair towards you. As more strands come free, grip them with your fingers and continue until the entire tangle slides away. If the hair breaks, hook the remaining section and just repeat the process, until eventually the castor turns smoothly again.
3. With a hoover
If the hair hasn’t wrapped itself into a tight knot, a hoover can remove it in seconds. The suction lifts away loose strands from around the castor, and as an extra bonus it also helps to clear the dust and fluff that often collect alongside them.
As with the previous methods, you’ll first need to turn your chair onto its side or upside down and make sure that it won’t move while you’re working. Fit the hose or crevice attachment and move it slowly around each wheel, rotating the castor as the suction pulls away the debris. Make sure to check the axle area for any stubborn strands once you’ve finished. If the wheel spins freely, you’re ready to put the chair back into use.
4. With some adhesive tape
It’s not everyone’s first choice, but adhesive tape works well for picking up the fine hairs and bits of fluff that often remain after you’ve cleared away the larger tangles. The sticky surface catches the debris quickly, making it easy to clean around the wheel without any tools. You could use Sellotape, packing tape or duct tape. Packing tape is usually the easiest to work with thanks to its wider surface and flexibility, but duct tape also works well too. Just bear in mind that its thicker backing can make it harder to press into the narrow gaps around the axle.
You know the drill by now – the chair goes on its side to start with. Then, wrap a length of tape around your fingers with the sticky side facing out. Fold one end over to create a small tab – this will make the tape easier to peel away and replace. Next, use your fingertip to press the tape into the gap around the axle, rotating the wheel as you work so that the sticky surface reaches every angle. A few passes should leave the wheel free from the loose strands that can build up over time.
5. With conditioner
If the hair has wound itself into a tight, dry bundle, it can often be an absolute nightmare to deal with. Happily, there’s a bit of an unorthodox trick to it – a small amount of hair conditioner can help to soften it and reduce the friction that keeps the strands locked around the axle. Any standard hair conditioner will do, so there’s no need to use a particular type or brand.
Once you’ve turned the chair onto its side, apply a pea-sized amount of conditioner directly onto the wrapped hair, keeping it on the tangle rather than coating the whole wheel, and work it in with your fingers or a cotton bud. Leave it for five to ten minutes before sliding a crochet hook beneath the softened strands to ease them away from the axle. This method is particularly useful for thick build-ups that refuse to budge.
How to clean office chair wheels once the hair is removed
Removing the tangled hair is most of the job done, but it’s not quite over yet. You now just need to give the office chair itself a quick spritz, which helps your castors roll smoothly and prevents dust, fluff and other debris from building up again.
When it comes to how to clean an office chair, here’s a simple checklist to run through:
- Check each castor for any remaining strands around the axle or inside the wheel housing
- Wipe the wheels with a damp cloth to remove dust, fluff and loose debris
- Use a mild cleaning solution on stubborn marks or sticky residue, then wipe the area clean with fresh water
- Dry each wheel thoroughly before putting the chair back into use
- Spin every castor by hand to make sure that it rotates freely and evenly
- Roll the chair across the floor to confirm that it moves smoothly in every direction
A little routine maintenance goes a long way, though every office chair eventually reaches the point where daily use takes its toll. If a thorough clean doesn’t help your chair get rolling comfortably again, you might even want to start thinking about a replacement. That’s where we come in. At Slouch Online, we supply ergonomic office chairs that we’ve designed for smooth movement, lasting comfort and reliable performance throughout the working day. Whether you’re replacing an ageing chair or upgrading your entire workspace, we’ve got plenty of options to keep your office comfortable and ready for whatever the day brings.
