Indra Ong

I had the same thing start around the six month mark in a wet climate and it turned out to be a mix of dirt in the hubs and a chatty front swivel. Start by figuring out the rhythm of the noise. A squeak that happens once per wheel turn usually points to the hub or axle. A squeak that gets worse while turning points to the front swivel. A click or chirp that comes and goes as you touch the brake points to the brake pawl. Take off as much grit as you can with warm soapy water and then dry it completely. Spin each wheel by hand. If one feels rough, focus on that axle and hub first. Once dry, use a dry lube you already have on hand such as candle wax, a bar of soap, or graphite from a pencil on the axle where it passes through the wheel and on the swivel stem for the front caster. If you keep a dry silicone spray around, a light mist on the swivel pivot and inside the hub can help, but wipe away any overspray and keep it off tires and brake teeth. If the brake makes noise,, clean the little tooth ring on the wheel and the piece that drops into it, then add only a trace of dry lube. If the sound lives in the frame when you press down on the handle, loosen those joint screws a touch and retighten to snug. If two parts are rubbing, a thin shim cut from a milk jug or clear packaging between them can quiet it without cranking the hardware tighter. Quick check for wear helps too. If one wheel wobbles and the sound follows that wheel when you swap positions, the bushing is getting tired. Cleaning and dry lube will stretch its life until you can replace the wheel. After rainy outings, store it open, towel the wet bits, and let air move through. That routine keeps the squeaks from coming back.

I rent too and I ended up making a little fringe sleeve from scrap cotton... Basically a long fabric tube that the tassels slide into, then the whole sleeve folds under the rug edge and sticks to the underside with a few dots of removable hook and loop. No adhesive on the floor and it lifts out when guests come over. Looks tidy. On cleaning days I also lay a lightweight draft stopper along exposed fringe that faces the room and pick it up after. The bot thinks it is a wall and turns. Zero damage and no permanent hardware.