Have you ever noticed that you pay more attention to cleaning your office desk and cabinet than the office chair? Maybe it's because you’re always sitting on it. But that is also the reason you need to clean it.
Dust, body oils and sweat may not be visible to the naked eye, but studies have revealed that office chair surfaces are more contaminated than other areas.
So, how do you clean an office chair? You can watch this video for quick instructions. You can also read our post for step-by-step instructions.
Test Your Cleaning Material and Technique
Test the cleaning chemicals/solutions and techniques on a small area of the chair first. Find a hidden spot, underneath the chair or wherever it’s not visible. Some cleaning chemicals may react with the fabric of your chair. Testing helps you to avoid ruining the whole chair.
Deal with Stains Immediately
Stains are harder to remove when they overstay. Clean up accidental spills immediately and clean up stains as soon as you notice them.
Proper Ventilation and Protective Gear
When cleaning your chair make sure the room has sufficient ventilation. This will prevent you from inhaling dangerous cleaning chemicals. Also, depending on how strong the chemical is, you may have to wear protective gear like gloves and a mask.
Check the Cleaning Instructions
Different types of office chairs come with different cleaning instructions. You can't clean a plastic office chair the same way you clean a fabric office chair. Before cleaning, check the tag (normally under the seat) for cleaning instructions.
How to Clean Fabric Office Chairs
These are the most commonly used office chairs. Daily use over a long period of time will attract dirt and lint. During the hot months, sweat will get into the fabric and if you eat at your desk, they are susceptible to crumbs and food spills. Renew your fabric chair with these simple steps:
- Vacuum the seat to remove excess dirt. This will also allow the cleaning solution to flow into the fabric easily.
- Spray the seat and the back of the chair with an upholstery cleaner, paying extra attention to the stained spots. A cleaning foam works great as it can remove dirt without spoiling the chair's texture or color. It also dries up quickly. Let the cleaning foam/solution sit in for the amount of time as per the cleaning product recommendations.
- Scrub the share with a fabric brush, giving attention to the stained spots. Then let it dry.
- Vacuum the chair to remove the dirt extracted by the cleaning foam/solution.
- Dampen a clean cloth in an all-purpose cleaner and wipe the other parts of the chair (armrests and legs).
How to Clean Mesh Office Chairs
Mesh chairs are famous for their durability, modern look, and comfort. The spaces in the mesh promote air circulation, however food particles and dust can get stuck in there as well. Cleaning a mesh office chair is easy because you don't have to buy any special cleaning solution. Follow these steps:
- Vacuum the mesh to remove dust residues and food particles. Use the hose attachment along the crevices and cracks of the chair.
- Put a bit of liquid soap on a clean rag and dampen it with warm water. Wring it to remove excess water.
- Using the rag, carefully rub the mesh area without dragging it across the mesh, as this will wear it out. Simply dab the stained spots until they are clean. Clean the rest of the chair from top to bottom (armrests, seat pads, backrest, and wheels).
- Use a cotton swab (dipped in warm water) to remove dirt from hard-to-reach cracks in the chair.
- Wipe the chair with a dry, clean rag then let it air dry.
How to Clean Plastic and Metal Office Chairs
These chairs are generally found in high traffic, busy places like building sites, schools, and hospitals. While they are the furthest thing from comfortable, they are the easiest to clean using these easy steps:
- Using a clean, soapy dishcloth, simply wipe the chair from top to bottom, front and back. Don't use any strong chemicals like bleach on plastic chairs.
- To remove stains without damaging the plastic, dampen a cloth with white vinegar and wipe. Alternatively, dab a wet sponge in baking soda and rub the area.
- Use a blunt plastic tool to remove any stubborn debris and wipe with the damp cloth.
- Let the chair air dry.
How to Clean Leather Office Chairs
They are the most expensive, comfortable and long-lasting office chairs. Keep them in great condition by cleaning them regularly using these steps:
- Check the tag under the chair to find out what kind of leather it is made from and if it has any cleaning guidelines. If you can't tell what the specific type is, don't worry. You can clean most leather types with soap and water.
- Use a vacuum to remove any dirt, crumbs or debris from the folds and crevices. Then wipe the chair with a clean cotton cloth. The cloth should be grit-free to avoid scratching the leather.
- Make a cleaning mixture with soap and water. The soap should be mild and the water distilled to avoid damaging the leather.
- Dip a clean cloth in the mixture, then squeeze out the water completely and wipe the chair.
- Dip another cloth in plain distilled water, squeeze out the water and wipe the chair again.
- Use the third cloth to dry the chair.
- Condition your chair to give the leather a nice shine and restore its oils. Put a bit of olive oil or linseed oil on a dry cloth and rub it in until it shines.
We hope these guidelines have given you an idea of how to clean an office chair. The secret to keeping it in good shape for a long time is cleaning regularly.
The longer you take to clean, the harder it will be, especially if there are stains involved. Now that you know what to do, get cleaning!
