10 Best Wheelchair Grease and Lubricants
alzheimerslab.com is reader-supported. I may earn a commission when you purchase via links on this page
Wheelchair squeaking can be annoying for both the wheelchair user and the people around them. A wheelchair squeak can occur in both manual and electric wheelchairs. I am assuming you are hearing some noises coming from the wheel region.
Inadequate lubrication in the wheel bearings is the primary cause of wheelchair squeak. If you are hearing squeaky noises, you should consider applying a suitable grease or lubricant in the gap between the bearings.
If you delay or put it off, the bearing could experience more wear and tear, which could lead to permanent damage to the wheels.
There are several types of lubricants available on the market, and not every lube is suitable for a wheelchair. You need to pick one based on the wheelchair type, the surrounding temperature, and the extent of damage to the bearings.
I have picked the best wheelchair grease and lubricants.
Jump directly to:
- Greaseco store white lithium squeeze tube
- AtomLube multi-purpose grease
- WPL forkboost lube
- Liquid Bearings synthetic oil for wheelchairs and mobility chairs
- Blaster 16-TDL advanced dry lube with teflon
- Cyclo silicone spray
- DuPont silicone surface safe lubricant
- DuPont teflon penetrant
- Tri Flow teflon lube
- DuPont non-stick dry-film lubricant
Best wheelchair grease and lubricants (for family caregivers, nursing home staff, and wheelchair users)
1. Greaseco store white lithium squeeze tube
This industrial grease is meant for household purposes. It comes in the form of an 8 oz squeeze tube. Quite convenient to use for people of all ages. In addition to lubricating the wheelchair wheel bearings, it also offers protection against rust and corrosion— which adds extra years to your wheelchair. Highly recommended for squeaky and noisy wheelchairs.
Benefits
- Light duty
- Odorless
- White color
Drawbacks
- You need to be extra cautious when using this lube. Do not let it come in contact with the skin. Hand gloves are a must
2. AtomLube multi-purpose grease
Are you looking for premium quality all-purpose grease for your wheelchair bearings? Look no further. AtomLube is a combination of heavy-duty, multi-purpose and marine grease. This grease is suited for wheelchair users residing in a region with extreme temperatures. Once applied, it stays applied until you remove it with a piece of cloth.
AtomLube is an NLGI-certified product.
Benefits
- Made on the US soil
- You can use it for other purposes as well
- Value for money product
Drawbacks
- It is black-blueish in color. Can get messy when cleaning
3. WPL forkboost lube
Does your wheelchair have a suspension system? The WPL Forkboost lube is designed to be used with bicycles with suspension systems. It is a transparent or colorless lube. You can put a couple of drops of WPL Forkboost lube around the base of the suspensions. Next, wipe the dust with a dry cloth, and you are good to go. I repeat, this product is meant for bicycles, but can be used to lubricate a wheelchair suspension system.
Benefits
- Colorless
- Made with natural ingredients
- Non-toxic
Drawbacks
- This product is designed mainly for suspension systems. It may not work well with the wheel bearings
4. Liquid Bearings synthetic oil for wheelchairs and mobility chairs
Are you looking for a lubricant designed especially for wheelchair bearings?
This synthetic oil from Liquid Bearings comes in the form of a small bottle with needles (varied length). The needles make it easy to pour the oil on top of the wheel bearings. This lube is suited for all types of wheelchairs, whether it is manual or powered. It does not smell and does not become sticky or gummy upon application.
Benefits
- Odorless
- Helps you keep things tidy around the wheels
- Tried and trusted product
Drawbacks
- The manufacturers need to put more effort into product packaging
5. Blaster 16-TDL advanced dry lube with Teflon
Dry lube can prevent dust and dirt particles in the air from settling in the gaps between the wheel bearings. Dry lube does not form a thin layer of oil on top of the metal surface. It sticks to the metal in the form of a fine powder, which offers all the benefits of a proper lubricant. Blaster 16- TDL is one of the best wheelchair grease and lubricants on the market.
Benefits
- No mess created
- Multi-purpose
- Works well with wheelchairs making squeaking noises
Drawbacks
- Pricey
- Leaves a white chalky residue
6. Cyclo silicone spray
Silicon grease is suited for wheelchair users staying in a region with extreme temperatures. Once you spray the Cyclo lube on the surface of the wheelchair bearings, it will stay fluid during harsh winters. It will never solidify or get jammed in between the bearings. Also, during summers it will stay nice and dry.
Benefits
- Loaded with silicon
- Creates a seal on the tops of the metal ball bearings
- This product is used by professionals
Drawbacks
- The spray comes with a nozzle. You have to attach the nozzle every time you wish to use the spray. It makes you do a bit of extra work that I don’t like
- The manufacturer must make efforts to improve the design of the spray bottle
7. DuPont silicone surface safe lubricant
DuPont de Nemours, Inc is a chemical company based in Wilmington, Delaware. Their silicone surface spray is made with non-stick ceramic technology. You can use non-metal surfaces as well. It has a wide operating temperature range, and it remains stuck to the surface even in difficult conditions. You can go for it if you live in a rainy, windy, or snowy region.
Benefits
- Suited for both metal and non-metal surfaces
- Offers protection from salty water
- Prevents moisture from coming in contact with the applied surface
Drawbacks
- It smells a bit. Do not buy if you keep your wheelchair in a closed space
8. DuPont teflon penetrant
This Teflon penetrant lube from DuPont will unclog your wheelchair wheel bearings within no time. This product is suited for wheelchair users who (for some reason) haven’t yet cared for the wheel bearings— the dust has settled in the bearings. If this sounds like you, go for DuPont Teflon penetrant spray. It breaks rust and makes the metal look good as new.
Benefits
- Repels salt air
- Fights corrosion
- This lube will improve the physical condition of the ball bearings
Drawbacks
- It leaves a bit of residue
- You are required to clean the surface with a dry cloth upon first application. Multiple applications might be needed to get the job done
9. Tri Flow Teflon lube
It’s not easy to exactly on the wheelchair wheel bearings. Bearings are located at the center of the wheel, and hence there’s a good chance that you will miss the spot, and spray away on the spokes or on the floor. The Tri Flow Teflon lube allows you to have a focused spray. In addition to that, the solvents present in this lube help soften the dirt present in the gaps between the ball bearings.
Benefits
- No mess created
- Recommended by wheelchair experts
- Non-sticky
- Works great with frozen wheel bearings
Drawbacks
- A bit pricey
10. DuPont non-stick dry-film lubricant
Conventional oil or grease may not always get the job done, especially under extreme weather conditions. If you stay in a colder region, I suggest trying out dry or solid lubricant. DuPont dry-film lube also works in extreme heat. This type of lubricant reduces friction between ball bearings.
Benefits
- Does not create a mess
- Suitable for extreme temperatures
- Gets rid of grit and grime present on the ball bearings
Drawbacks
- Does not come with a nozzle
Buyer’s guide
How to keep a wheelchair sparkling clean all the time?
You can use lubricants such as grease and oil on the metal parts of a wheelchair. Needless to mention, one should protect the upholstery from oils as they can cause irreparable damage to the fabric.
There are several spray cleaners available on the market for cleaning upholstery, but I find them not very effective. Also, spray upholstery cleaners are expensive— they are good for emergency cleaning, like if you spill coffee on the wheelchair just before heading out for an important meeting, or something like that.
I recommend cleaning the wheelchair fabric parts with mild soap and some lukewarm water. Tap water is safe for upholstery, but you will have to dry it out before you begin using the wheelchair again. Usually, it takes about 2 days to completely dry out a wheelchair upholstery.
Furthermore, you can use water to clean the metal frame as well. Use a soft cloth to rub the frame to get rid of dirt and grime that has stuck on it. And don’t worry the paint won’t fade off if you use soap on a metal frame.
A quick way to clean a wheelchair is by spraying some soap water on a piece of waste cloth and rubbing the cloth all over the wheelchair. You can keep the wheelchair under the cleaning fan for about an hour to dry it out. This method is effective and it has always worked for me.
How to clean the push rims?
Cleaning the push rims in a self-propelled wheelchair can be a bit tricky. I don’t recommend using water to clean the metal push rims as they are coated with paint or any other protective layer.
I suggest you use some rubbing alcohol to clean the push rims. Put a few drops of rubbing alcohol on a dry cloth and gently wipe the push rims. This method also helps you get rid of the bacteria that may be settled on the metal parts.
If you have hip or back problems, I suggest placing your wheelchair on a desk or a bed. This way you won’t have to bend to clean it. You can perform the task while standing straight.
Another benefit of rubbing alcohol is it gets rid of the oils or grease that may have stuck on the metal rims. It is very difficult to remove grease stains from metal surfaces unless you use some sort of alcoholic cleaner.
How to lubricate a wheelchair?
Proper lubrication is a must on all movable parts of a wheelchair. Movement creates friction between the metal parts, hence you need to add grease in those spaces. Several types of grease are available on the market, you can choose any of the ones discussed in this article.
Wheel bearings are one of the prime locations to lubricate. You can use any of the lubes discussed in the article. I recommend cleaning the wheel bearing section by detaching the wheels from the chair.
Some wheelchair manufacturers make it easy to detach and attach the wheels. If this sounds like your wheelchair, always detach them so you can clean it thoroughly. Doing this will prolong the life of your wheelchair.
Remove the axle, and wipe it with a clean cloth. Get rid of all the old oil. Put a few drops of lubricant on the axle, and then slide it back in the wheel. Perform this on the other wheel as well.
Teflon-based lubricants are the best for axles. But you can also go for graphite if you need high performance. Bear in mind that graphite spray leaves a black film on the metal surface, hence it can get a bit messy.
Next, you should also lube the handbrake section. There are a couple of moving parts in any handbrake that you shouldn’t miss.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
WD-40 is used for cleaning purposes. You shouldn’t use WD-40 as a lubricant.
Yes, I recommend that you wash the wheelchair with some warm soapy water. Use a cotton cloth to apply the water to the wheelchair body.
Food grade lubricants are used in food processing machines and equipment. These lubricants are made with natural and non-toxic ingredients. Note that you do not need a food-grade product to lubricate wheelchair bearings.
Yes, they are easy to use. Spray cans are the easiest. You will need to wear hand gloves when applying grease that comes in a tube.
If your wheelchair is making squeaky noises, there’s a good chance that the wheel bearings are clogged with dirt or dust. You must apply some lube to the ball bearing located in the center of the wheel.
Ideally, you must lubricate your wheelchair once every three months. But you might have to do it more often if you stay in a region with extreme temperatures.
Both are equally good. Note that grease can get messy if you are not used to it. Dry-film lubricants help keep things tidier. Dry-film lubes are suited for those who stay in a region with extreme temperatures— where conventional oil or grease will freeze or melt.
The final verdict
Off the lubes discussed above, I will pick synthetic oil from Liquid Bearings over others. This lube is made specifically for wheelchairs— others are multipurpose. Liquid Bearings synthetic oil comes with three needles of different sizes. The needles function as a dropper.
You were reading my review on the best wheelchair grease and lubricants. Do you have any questions? Kindly leave a comment below. I’ll help you out.
