Your new cube turned smoothly when you bought it, but a few months later it feels dry, stiff and scratchy? Usually the lube inside has run out. Lubing your Rubik's Cube is the simplest way to make it smooth again, and you can do it at home in ten minutes. This guide explains which lube to use, where to put it, how many drops are enough, and how often to lube again.
When does a cube need lube?
SpeedCubeShop recommends lubing again when the cube feels dry, rough or slower than before (SpeedCubeShop). A few signs that are easy to spot:
- Turning makes a scratchy sound, as if there were sand inside.
- The cube feels heavy to turn even though you have not tightened the screws.
- The springs make a buzzing noise every time you turn.
If pieces keep popping out or the cube feels loose, that is usually about the tension, not the lube. See the post on how to adjust Rubik's Cube tension.
Types of cube lube
According to SpeedCubeShop, lube for speed cubes comes in two main groups: silicone lube and water-based lube.
| Type | Feel | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone lube | Smooth, long-lasting | Too much can make the cube sticky |
| Water-based lube | Fast | Most dry out fairly quickly and can leave residue; do not put it on the screws and springs |
Within each group, the most important thing is the thickness (also called viscosity). The thicker the lube, the slower and more controlled the cube; the thinner the lube, the faster the cube. Many brands number thickness from 1 to 5: TheCubicle describes number 1 as very thin, making the cube faster, and number 5 as thick, giving the cube a more solid, controlled feel (TheCubicle).
Cubelelo sets out clearly where each level goes (Cubelelo):
| Thickness | Where to use it |
|---|---|
| 1 (thinnest) | The pieces, for a fast cube |
| 2 | The pieces, smoother but a little slower |
| 3 | The pieces (very little) or the core |
| 4 | Core only |
| 5 (thickest) | Core only |
Beginners do not need a whole set. One bottle of thin lube for the pieces is enough to start. If you want to lube the core too, add a bottle of thick lube.
Four moves.
One at a time.
Tap each symbol and follow one piece. This is an exercise in watching the movement.
Things you must not use
SpeedCubeShop warns against using WD-40, Vaseline or cooking oil (such as olive oil) on a Rubik's Cube, because they can damage the plastic. Use lube made specially for speed cubes.
Two more tips from the same source:
- Do not put water-based lube on the screws and springs, because the metal can rust.
- Keep lube off the screw threads in the core.
Core and pieces: where does the lube go?
A 3x3 has two places that need lube, and each one needs a different kind.
!A 3x3 speed cube with one centre piece lifted off, showing the cross-shaped core and the metal screws that connect the core to the centre pieces Photo: [Luis Alvaz / Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cubo_de_Rubik_desarmado_11.jpg), CC BY-SA 4.0
- The core is the cross shape in the middle, where screws and springs hold the six centres. According to Cubelelo, the core takes thick lube, put on the screws and springs. Thick lube here makes the cube smoother and cuts down the spring noise.
- The pieces (edges and corners) rub against each other every time you turn. This is where thin lube goes. Cubelelo warns against using number 5 lube on the pieces, because the cube will become sticky and heavy.
Lubing the core is optional. Many people only lube the pieces and still find the cube much smoother.
According to SpeedCubeShop, there are two cases where you should not lube the core:
- Maglev cubes (which use magnets instead of springs in the core) have no springs to lube. Cubelelo suggests just a tiny dab of thick lube on the screw if you want.
- Some cubes with a special custom core, for example the X-Man Tornado V3, can be damaged if you lube the core. Read your cube's manual first.
How to lube a Rubik's Cube step by step
You do not need to take the whole cube apart. The method below uses a lube bottle with a dropper tip.
- Clean the cube first. SpeedCubeShop recommends cleaning the cube before adding new lube, because old lube mixed with dust will quickly make it rough again.
- Open a gap. Turn the top layer about half a move (45 degrees), then gently pull the top layer away from the middle layer so you can see the inside faces of the pieces.
- Add the drops. SpeedCubeShop suggests 4 to 6 drops in total where the pieces touch. Cubelelo uses only 2 to 3 drops of thin lube. Start with a little and add more later if needed: too much lube makes the cube slow and sticky.
- Spread the lube evenly by turning the cube (see the next part).
- Wipe off any extra lube that leaks out with a tissue.
In the picture, the eight coloured pieces are the top layer: these are the pieces you pull out in step 2. The lube goes into the gap between this layer and the middle layer.
See it in 3D, before and after
- You start with (input)
- After the formula
If you want to lube the core too: pop off the cap of a centre, unscrew the screw, put one or two drops of thick lube on the spring, put it back and screw it in exactly as many turns as before. Do the six faces one by one (SpeedCubeShop). How to remove a centre is covered in the post on how to take apart and put back together a Rubik's Cube.
Spreading the lube evenly
Fresh drops of lube only sit in a few spots. You need to turn the cube a lot so the lube spreads across every face. SpeedCubeShop recommends doing a few solves to let the lube "break in", and only then judging how it feels.
If you do not want to scramble your cube yet, here are two turning patterns that bring the cube back exactly as it was. The notation R, U, R2, U2 is explained in the post on Rubik's Cube notation for beginners.
Pattern 1: R U R' U' six times in a row. Quick, and turns both the right face and the top face.
See it in 3D, before and after
- You start with (input)
- After the formula
The left and right pictures are exactly the same: after six times, the cube is back as it was. The coloured pieces are the seven pieces that each R U R' U' moves around.
Pattern 2: R2 U2 six times in a row. Each move is a half turn, so the lube gets carried further.
See it in 3D, before and after
- You start with (input)
- After the formula
Once again, the two pictures are the same: six times R2 U2 brings the cube back as it was. The coloured pieces are the ones that one R2 U2 moves out of place.
After each pattern, hold the cube a different way (with a different face on the right and on top) and do it again, until all six faces have been turned plenty of times.
How often should you lube your cube?
SpeedCubeShop gives a rough schedule:
| How you use your cube | Lube again |
|---|---|
| Now and then | About once a month |
| Practising every day | About every two weeks |
| Getting ready for a competition | Every week, plus once more a few days before the competition |
This is only a guide. If the cube starts to feel dry or rough, lube it again, even if it is not time yet.
Lubing before a competition
Cubelelo has two tips worth remembering for competition day:
- Do not put thick lube on the pieces right before a competition, because thick lube needs a great many solves to spread evenly, and the cube will feel heavy just when you need it most.
- Before a competition, the author only adds two drops of thin water-based lube.
Going to your first competition? The post on WCA Rubik's Cube competitions explains how a competition works.
Video
Want to see it in action? The short video below from the Bo Cubing channel on YouTube shows more of what this post covers. The video belongs to that channel and is embedded straight from YouTube.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What lube should I use on a Rubik's Cube?
Lube made specially for speed cubes: silicone lube or water-based lube. Beginners should start with a bottle of thin silicone lube for the pieces.
Can I use WD-40 or Vaseline?
Better not. SpeedCubeShop warns that WD-40, Vaseline and cooking oil can damage the cube's plastic. Use lube made specially for speed cubes.
How many drops of lube does a Rubik's Cube need?
For the pieces, about 2 to 6 drops, depending on the source and the cube. Start with 2 to 3 drops, turn the cube to spread it, and add more if needed.
Does a brand-new cube need lube?
Not necessarily. Just use it first, and lube it when it starts to feel dry or rough.
What should I do if my cube feels stiff and scratchy?
Clean the cube, put a few drops of thin lube on the pieces and turn it to spread the lube. If it still feels stiff and heavy, the screws may be too tight: see the post on how to adjust Rubik's Cube tension.
How do I lube a maglev cube?
Lube the pieces as usual. A maglev core has no springs, so skip the core step, or just put a tiny dab of thick lube on the screw as Cubelelo suggests.