Can someone help me with some tips on trying to make my reels more smooth and get them working better please?
thanks

Full cleaning out of old oil and grease from the reel then using a good grease and oil..

What make and model of reels do you have?

Get some reel scrubber which is a spray can parts solvent.
Clean then lube with synthetic reel lube such as ardent.

I put the bearings in my us cleaner wich is heated with a powder cleaner which dilutes in water. They come clean and I put 1-2 drops of the ardent reel butter on them. I took a real out this morning and after a couple casts the bearings were screaming. These are the factory bnt0194 shimano bearings. They look to be a sealed bearing? Are they able to be lubed?

Does anyone just soak the whole bearing in a small cup of oil and submerge it? Or is this to much?

Get rid of that reel butter..
Add one small drop of oil to the bearings as it will suck in the oil between the bearing frame and shield..

Academy had that hot sauce is that ok?

If you can find the daiwa Blue space age grease.. It's a far better ease then hot sauce and ardents gooo

Hot sauce is working fine for me.

Qtips get grime out of crevices really well. Just be careful with oil where it could possibly get into your drag. I've done that little goof before.

or you can buy our video Fishing Reel Maintenance that has been produced for anglers like you to learn how to clean and service their own reels., We have helped lots of anglers and this video will certainly help you with all your concerns and details.
Good luck and Merry Christmas.

Personally I wouldnt. There are much better products out there. The best quality lube I have found is the Boca Lightning lube or TG's Rocket Fuel.

be very very conservative on the oil. One or two drops at the most.

I personally use Yamaha Marine Grease and Royal Purple Oil