According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, there are 2.7 million wheelchair users in the United States. With proper care, your wheelchair will last much longer and stay in great shape. However, many people don’t know the process of mobility scooter repair or even how to do proper wheelchair care.

Do you want to learn more about wheelchair servicing? Let our experts show you how you can care for your mobility devices in Roanoke.

How to Clean Your Wheelchair Parts

One vital way to maintain your power wheelchair is to consistently clean your wheelchair parts. When you clean each part of your wheelchair, it will keep you healthier and will help your wheelchair stay in great shape. Here are some of the ways you can clean each of your wheelchair parts.

1. Find the Right Wheelchair Cleaning Materials Around Roanoke

Cleaning materials for your wheelchair can often be found in your home. For example, most often you can use a cotton or microfiber cloth as well as some dish soap. You can also use antibacterial wipes to remove any bacteria or built-up grime on your wheelchair.

2. Clean Hard Surfaces

First, you need to clean the hard surfaces of your wheelchair. This is vital to do regularly as your wheelchair can accumulate bacteria and other germs throughout each day.

To wipe down your wheelchair, you can use a wet rag or even an antibacterial wipe. Make sure you wipe down the frame of your cushion, each of your arm supports, your push handles, and the foot supports. Because these are the areas that you touch most during the day, they will likely be the dirtiest.

3. Wheelchair Tires 

Next, you want to clean your wheelchair tires. You can use the same washcloth or wipe as before, but make sure you clean the wheels as you push your wheelchair. This will allow you to get each part of your wheelchair tire clean, not just the visible parts.

As you clean your wheelchair tires, you may also want to check your wheel bearings to make sure they will rotate smoothly and function properly.

4. Power Wheelchair Cleaning

If you have a power wheelchair, make sure you check your owner’s manual, so you don’t accidentally cause any damage to the controls.

When you are cleaning a powered wheelchair, there are things that can be damaged if you are not cautious. Before doing any kind of cleaning on a powered wheelchair, make sure you turn the power off.

Then, you can clean each of the electric parts. You can start with the joysticks and controls to clean any bacteria or other types of buildup. If you have a control screen, you can clean this too.

However, you want to make sure you clean it with a dry cloth that will pick up any lint or other debris. Using a wet cloth could damage your screen.

5. Upholstery

Finally, you want to clean all of the upholstery on your wheelchair. Because it gets such frequent use, there could be spills or other types of stains on your chair. You can often find upholstery cleaners to help with any significant stains.

Otherwise, you can wash the leather or fabric upholstery by hand. If you have a vinyl seat, you can also wipe this down with a wet cloth.

When to Get Mobility Device Servicing in Roanoke

There are many reasons why you might need to service your device or get it inspected.

First, it is important to service your wheelchair if you have noticed any issues with it. This is especially vital if you have noticed large parts malfunctioning. For example, if you are having trouble with your breaks, it is something that can result in extreme injury and should be inspected as soon as possible.

If you notice that your wheelchair isn’t running smoothly, take it to a professional repair company to get it inspected.

Even if there aren’t problems with your wheelchair, you should still service your wheelchair every few months. This will allow someone to make sure all the screws are properly secured, that the frame is in good condition, and more.

By regularly servicing your wheelchair, you will ensure that it lasts for much longer.

Tips For Wheelchair Maintenance

One of the first tips for wheelchair maintenance is to replace things as soon as possible. Leaving damaged parts on your wheelchair can lead to more damage and may even cause a more expensive repair.

If you notice any tears or cracks in the wheelchair upholstery, bent spokes in your wheels, or even loose stitching, make sure you repair them as quickly as possible.

If you don’t repair them quickly, you may find yourself without a wheelchair to use and with no way to get around.

Next, you could consider getting extra sets of tires. If you do have a flat or damaged tire, you can fix it much more easily if you already have the spare parts.

Finally, make sure you invest in a good wheelchair upfront. While it will be more expensive at first, it will save you time and money in the long run to have a reliable wheelchair that will not break down.

By making a bigger payment upfront, you won’t have to worry about servicing or maintaining your wheelchair as often.

Find a New Wheelchair in Roanoke Today

Even if you consistently clean and maintain your wheelchair, you might find that you need a replacement. Getting a new wheelchair will help you maintain your mobility and can give you many more options for independence. If you are looking for a reliable wheelchair company that will help with wheelchair servicing, Freedom Mobility can help.

We offer power wheelchairs and other mobility devices that can help you get around for your day-to-day lives. If you want to learn more about our products or if you have questions about pricing, contact our team today.