Looking After Your Stairlift

Like with any piece of equipment, looking after your stairlift is important. You must ensure you’re keeping it in good condition. Stairlifts that are neglected are prone to wearing easier, as well as ageing much faster than one that is taken care of properly. Today, Domestic Lift Services helps you by giving you a few tips on how to take care of your stairlift, from everyday considerations to deeper maintenance & cleaning advice so you can learn how to care for your new/reconditioned stairlift.

Stairlifts, like any other part of the home, need to be cleaned regularly. The tracks may have to be cleaned by a more able-bodied family member. The seat, however, can be cleaned following standard household cleaning tips. The stairlifts that we offer are incredibly robust & versatile. It doesn’t hurt to look after them though!

Any indoor stairlifts can be given be dusted once a week to stop any dust from building up. You can also use a damp cloth to clean dust that has collected on the seat. During cleaning, the stairlift should always be at the bottom of the stairs. Ensure this happens to avoid any mishaps, trips or falls.

Don’t use cleaning solvents!

Whoever is cleaning the stairlift must not use cleaning solvents on the chair or rail. Anything that’s designed for the kitchen, bathroom or elsewhere is not meant for a stairlift. The abrasive cleaners from these cleaning solvents can seep into the electronics of the stairlift, ruining circuit boards & other intricate components. Cleaning solvents can also damage the chair, carriage as well as the tracks. This can cause the track roller to lose friction whilst it’s working which can cause skids, slips & falls.

Lubricating the stairlift track

Lubricating a stairlift track is a good pre-measure for any stairlift, as it makes sure things are literally running smoothly. This isn’t a task that people with joint pain as tracks can be quite fiddly. If you suffer from finger joint pain then someone else may have to do this step for you. You must remember to turn off your stairlift before you start lubricating the stairlift for safety reasons. Aim to lubricate the stairlift track every few months, with a thorough clean followed by a small amount of lube.

Dust and other debris can collect on the track, making it essential to clean & take care of. Most lubricants are tacky so they can gum up and bind dirt together if applied on an uncleaned track. It’s important to not over lube the slide as too much lubricant will again, bind up and gum the track. This can also cause the stairlift roller to slide uncontrollably rather than grip & roll. You must also be careful to avoid lubricating the chain as some oils contain distillates & other chemicals which can degrade rubber to the point the chain will crumble and snap

We do not recommend lubricant sprays like WD40 or 3in1 for your stairlift as these sprays contain petroleum. Petroleum will eat away at the rubber components of your stairlift. The best lubricants are made from a silicone base, which actually helps the rubber components & any other seals in the system. Silicone lubricant doesn’t contain any harmful distillates. A small amount sprays on the track every few months will be enough to keep your stairlift well lubricated.

Call us today:

DLSL is one of the UK’s leading stairlift providers in Reading, providing quality stairlifts of all types. As a family-owned, independent supplier based in High Wycombe, We’ve been proud to build & establish a firm reputation for quality, customer relations, value for money & transparent pricing.  Our team of highly trained staff at DLSL are able to help you with their extensive knowledge of all types, brands & manufacturers of stairlifts. Our advisors will take your requirements & needs into account, coming up with the perfect solution for you & your home. If you need help, advice or information regarding a stairlift in your home then please don’t hesitate to contact us. Visit our website on – Stairlifts Reading or call our team today on 0118 373 3349 so that they can inform you about the stairlifts in Reading.

Dipesh Patel