Care of the wheelchair and cushion

Here are some simple recommendations for caring for your wheelchair and cushion. They may seem too trivial to some, but by following them regularly, the chair will serve for many years, and repair costs will be lower,
the level of its safety and comfort in use will be maintained.

Keep the wheelchair clean:
• Keeping all parts clean and tidy helps prevent rusting of metal parts and prevents damage caused by dirt in the wheelchair's moving parts.
• To regularly wipe the fixed parts of the wheelchair, use warm water with a little detergent, and then rinse and dry them.
• Particular attention should be paid to the moving parts and places of contact between the upholstery and the frame.
• Wash the pillow separately by removing it from the cover and then dry it in the shade away from direct sunlight.
• It is advisable to have two brushes for cleaning moving parts: a wide and a narrow one. The latter is especially convenient for cleaning brakes from adhering sand, wheel axle sleeves, and other hard-to-reach places.

Keep an eye on the brakes:
• Drum brakes do not require maintenance during the year. It is advisable to have them serviced by specialized service centers.
• Parking brakes are brakes that work on the principle of clamping the tire on the wheels. For their effective operation, you should monitor their cleanliness, degree of wear, and tire pressure.

Lubricate moving parts:
• To ensure smooth movement of the components and to prevent rusting or jamming during movement, use a lubricant (e.g. bearing oil) to apply to all moving parts. Before lubricating, you must
thoroughly remove dirt particles, wipe with a dry cloth. If the user has no experience in lubricating bearings, it is advisable to contact a service center.
• Do not overuse the grease, as this leads to dust adhesion.

Keep an eye on the tire pressure level:
• This is necessary to extend the life of the tires, to facilitate movement in the wheelchair and to ensure that the brakes work properly.
• You can check the pressure visually or use a pressure gauge.
• The pressure in both tires must be the same and meet the standards indicated on the side of the tire.
• You can inflate the tire with a bicycle pump or similar tool.
• One-piece tires do not require pressure monitoring.
Remember: Using damaged, excessively worn or underinflated tires can be dangerous for the user.

Keep an eye on the screws and nuts:
• Loose screws cause the components to come apart. This affects both the overall ergonomics and can lead to injury if the wheelchair is not working properly.
• To prevent loosening of screws and nuts, the wheelchair should be systematically inspected and any loose screws and nuts should be tightened in a timely manner using a suitable tool (but not by dragging!).
• Monthly inspection of all connection elements in the wheelchair is the key to its long, comfortable and safe use.

Conduct a systematic inspection of the wheelchair for rust:
• Rust reduces the strength of materials, causes breakage, and can lead to injury.
• If rust appears, remove it and restore the paintwork. If you can't do it yourself, you should contact a service center.
• Regularly inspect for tears, signs of wear, dirt, or protruding metal parts.

Conduct a systematic inspection of the seat and back upholstery:
• A damaged cover creates a risk of injury to the user.
• The upholstery must be kept clean and cleaned weekly.
• Check the correct tension of the seat and backrest.
• If the upholstery is torn or the hanging seat is not properly tensioned, the wheelchair requires upholstery repair.

Check the condition of the pillow:
• The cushion must be clean and dry to provide adequate protection for the user.
• An external inspection should be made for signs of wear, dirt, and tears.

Weekly inspection and cleaning of the cushion will prevent unpleasant odors and damage to the user's skin. Do not attempt to carry out repairs or retrofitting of the wheelchair yourself. We remind you that specialists of the Your Health Trading Company provide consultations on the individual selection of wheelchairs, features of their operation, care and maintenance.