Are you comfortable with a squeaky chair? Undoubtedly not. Squeaky chairs can be annoying, significantly affecting your comfort, peace, and even productivity. This sound becomes more evident as time goes by, and it is common in damaged or aging chairs.
Your chair may be squeaking for a number of reasons. Some of the typical reasons for this noise are loose bolts, weak joints, and normal wear. Because each component has a unique impact on your chair, you may anticipate varying noise levels based on the source of the noise.
Squeaking does not necessarily indicate that your seat is about to collapse, but it does reveal a chair issue. But as soon as you become aware of the problem, you must address it. By doing this, you can prevent the disease from getting worse over time.
There is no one-dimensional solution to a squeaky chair. You can combine different methods, depending on the extent of the issue. Here are some of the alternatives from which you can choose.
Identify the Source of the Noise

You’ll first need to inspect and identify the source of noise on your squeaky chair. The source of the noise could vary from chair to chair, from aging and excess use to loose bolts or screws. Unless you know the exact problem, it’ll be challenging to customize the solution. Careful inspection will ensure that you understand the situation in the best way possible.
The inspection process requires you to flip over the chair, allowing you to access even the least accessed joints. It’d be easier for you to assemble the chair, as you’ll know exactly where to check.
Usually, you will have to wiggle the bolts or screws, noting down each loose one. You could also consider rocking the chair back and forth, keenly listening to where the noise is coming from. Adding a little weight onto the chair could also help.
Once you get conversant with the noise source, you can craft a more reliable solution to it.
Tighten the Bolts and the Screws
Screws and bolts help keep the chair together, providing enhanced stability and sturdiness. Yet, any time they get loose, the chair becomes noisy, unstable, and relatively weak. You’ll find it best to confirm if these bolts and screws are tight, tightening any loose ones. Remember, bolts and screws become loose because of the pressure a seat carries.
Things would be considerably straightforward if you assembled your chair. That is because it’ll be easier for you to know where you added the screws. On the other hand, a pre-assembled chair requires you to inspect every screw right from the start. The process could be challenging and a little time-consuming, yet worth it.
You can tighten your screws using either an Allen wrench or a screwdriver. You can add a little wood glue or low-temperature glue to the screws, ensuring that they are much tighter.
Remove the Rust
Any screw or bolt that has rust on it tends to make significant noise. Unless you clean this rust, the noise will not stop. You can utilize reliable lubricants to help remove the rust. One of the most popular lubricants used to remove rust is WD40, which loosens the bonds between the metal surface and the rust. It requires you to spray it on the affected area, breaking the rust down in about ten minutes.
- Powerful grease remover and grime fighter in a biodegradable bio-solvent formula with durable, shatter-resistance trigger and convenient refill port; no funnel needed and no-mess
- Safe to use on multiple surfaces. Unlike other degreasers, this formula will prevent glass from etching and aluminum, copper, and metal from corroding and flash rust
- Non-flammable, non-corrosive, non-abrasive, low-odor formula that can be used in food-processing facilities
- Biodegradable formula meets U.S. EPA Safer Choice Standards and is 50-state VOC compliant. NSF Registered A1, A2, A4, A8, B1
- Excellent for cleaning greasy automotive parts, tools, shop floors, industrial machinery, commercial appliances, and equipment
You could also consider using white vinegar and a ball of steel wool. You’ll soak the corroded bolts and screws, where the rust will dissolve within a few hours. This method is an excellent choice for metallic chairs. You can use it on the swivel and the height adjustment parts. Usually, you’ll need a toothbrush to remove the rustic elements.
Unfortunately, extensive rust can be a nightmare to handle. You could consider replacing the corroded features in such cases, which could be a little too costly sometimes.
Lubricate the Bolts
Applying a lubricant on moving parts and joints will often help muffle considerable noise. This lubricant will help reduce friction and heat whenever two surfaces interact, ensuring minimal noise is produced. Taking the time to oil the bolts will ensure that there is minimal friction and moisture gets eliminated. Eliminating moisture helps avoid rust, which in turn minimizes noise issues.
First, identify where the noise is. You could add some weight to the seat or rock it back and forth. Lastly, apply the lubricant to the affected part until there is no noise produced. It will ensure that you address the noise within a relatively short time.
Lubricating bolts is a considerably straightforward process. You could either spray it or rub it on the affected surface. Most people prefer rubbing the lubricant on the surface, thanks to the minimal mess it leaves behind.
However, you must invest in an excellent lubricant. The WD-40 Specialist Water Resistant silicone lubricant is a perfect choice. It works best on metal, rubber, plastic, and vinyl.
- Silicone lubricant provides a protective, waterproof and low-friction coating to multiple surfaces
- Our quick-drying formula cures into a clear, stain-resistant hard film that protects your surfaces from the elements
- Safe to use on metal, rubber, vinyl, and plastic without a messy residue. 50-state VOC Compliant
- Protects a range of products found in the shop, garage, job site, or home including cables, pulleys, valves, hinges, windows, sliding doors and locks
- WD-40 Brand believes in creating high-quality products that will not fail in extreme conditions. Professionals rely on WD-40 Specialist to get the job done right
Apply Glue
Glue is an excellent solution to a squeaky chair, thanks to how it helps hold the chair together. You can use it when joining the limbs. However, you must invest in wood glue, as it is more reliable and effective.
Wood glue takes a relatively short time to dry. That means you’ll have to apply it to the affected wood and wait for approximately three hours.
What matters the most is the glue you buy. Ensure that you purchase one that helps enhance natural beauty and prevent further wood drying. Besides offering a protective layer, this glue must offer long-lasting effectiveness. Perhaps, you should buy the Howard FW0016 wood polish, which provides value for your money.
- Polishes all wood surfaces to a soft luster with a protective coating of Carnauba Wax and Beeswax
- Introduces conditioning oils that “feed” the wood and helps keep it from drying and fading
- Enhances the natural beauty and depth of grain in finished and unfinished wood
- For use on antiques, dining tables, kitchen cabinets, wood doors and trim, etc.
- Helps to prevent further drying of the wood and deterioration of the finish. Contains no silicone or linseed oils
- The perfect follow-up to Restor-A-Finish to maintain the newly restored wood finish
- Included Components: Power Wood Lathes
Try the Wood Swelling-Liquid
This option is suitable when dealing with loosened legs, primarily when caused by shrinking dowels.
Usually, you’ll have to remove the limbs before you can apply this swelling liquid. You can only rejoin the limbs after you apply the liquid to the dowels. Notably, this method is more reliable and effective than when you use wood glue.
Fix the Springs
A broken spring in your seat is simple to identify. The sound made when you lean on your chair might help you identify a problem. As the springs get more and more stretched or worn, the squeaking sound intensifies. Lubricating your chair’s springs would be the greatest solution to the issue. Alternatively, you might use Teflon thread seal tape.
To see the springs, you must, however, open the seat. It is then simpler to lubricate them or apply the seal tape on them in this manner. By lowering the pressure and friction between the springs, the lubricant and seal tape will assist minimize noise.
Buy a New Chair
How about if each of the methods mentioned above fails? Or maybe it becomes way too costly to repair your seat? In cases like this, the best alternative would be to buy a new chair. While it could be an expensive option, it assures you of unrivaled satisfaction and convenience.
Ensure that you choose a reliable and long-lasting seat. This seat has to be high-performance, ensuring that you get the comfort, durability, and reliability you need.
If you are undecided, the best chair to consider would be the Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Chair. This seat offers unmatched ergonomics, comfort, height adjustability, and breathability. Its versatility allows you to use it in the office, conference, or study room. Its robust construction assures you of enhanced durability, while its breathable mesh boosts comfort. What’s more, it rolls relatively quietly.
- 【ERGONOMIC OFFICE CHAIR】- The ergonomic chair provides 4 supporting points(head/ back/ hips/ hands) and a proper lumbar support. Suitable for people of about 5'5" to 6'2"(Please refer to the height of the user). It's easy to adjust seat height, headrest, backrest and flip-up arms to meet different needs, good for sitting long hours.
- 【COMFORTABLE MESH SEAT】- The office chair is larger than other chairs, and it could accommodate different body build. The whole Chair Dimensions(including the arms): 25.6"W x 22"D x 45.3"-54.9"H, the Seat Dimensions: 20"W x 19.3"D x 18.5"-22.05"H. Loading Capacity: 280 lbs. The recline function makes you tilt the backrest back (90~120°) or sit straight freely.
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- 【BREATHABLE MESH CHAIR】- The mesh back and mesh seat keep air circulation for extra comfy. High quality mesh resists abrasion and transformation, it makes the high back computer desk chairs good for sitting for 4 ~ 8 hours, perfect for a long day sitting.
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Final Thoughts
A squeaky chair can be relatively annoying. Yet, it does not mean that you cannot deal with it. The DIY methods mentioned above are affordable, effective, and ready to offer excellent results. Choose an approach you are comfortable with, mainly depending on the noise level produced by your chair.
Last update on 2023-07-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API