I found it reasonably easy to take off the side paneling for better access to clean everything. That was when mine was super dirty. It’s been a while and I haven’t done it, but did just lube mine up not too long ago, and it didn’t look too bad.
Worthwhile to check this thread out:
Store has some oil:
But a machine shop near you probably has some onhand as well.
As for squeaking, I’d hold off, but I also understand deadlines are a pain. I take the Douglas Adams outlook towards them:
“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” - Douglas Adams