On average, an Aussie works 1500 hours per year. If you work similar hours, you need to clean your office chair and other furniture often to maintain your office atmosphere. Regular cleaning of office chairs prevents the buildup of debris and germs, and it helps increase the lifespan of the chair.
However, office chairs can come in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes. How do you clean a faux leather, mesh, or fabric chair? What are the necessary tools you need for cleaning? We cover all of these in this detailed guide.
Cleaning Materials
The cleaning materials you will need for your office chair are not typically different from what you use for household cleaning. Here's everything you need to get ready for the task.
- Cleaning agent: Any mild or eco-friendly soap is okay for cleaning your office chair but dish soaps are highly recommended.
- Damp clothes: Two or three clean, lint-free clothes are necessary. It is important to use clothes that will not leave lint behind or further dirty the chair.
- Vacuum cleaner: A hand-held or cordless vacuum cleaner will be appropriate. More so if they have the properties to remove hair, dust and allergens.
- Vinegar/Alcohol or laundry detergent: This is for removing stubborn stains from the chair fabric. For the chair upholstery, use the upholstery cleaner.
- A Small Bowl or Spray Bottle: The bowl or bottle is for mixing soap and water. A spray bottle is particularly easier to use during the cleaning.
Dish soaps are better to use since they are less abrasive than detergents on your office chair. Also, check for the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before proceeding.
Getting Started
To avoid damage to your chair, be familiar with any cleaning instructions for your chair type. Office chair makers often attach a tag that contains specific cleaning instructions that are important to avoid improper cleaning. Many of these tags often contain the best conditions and materials for cleaning the chair.
If your chair has a manual, the cleaning instruction will be there. Also, you can check your manufacturer's website for such information. Alternatively, most fabric or upholstery chairs have a cleaning code label under the seat. Each code has specific instructions on the best cleaning procedure. Here are the common ones:
- W - Wet
- S - Solvent
- WS - Wet and Solvent
- X - Vacuum only
- D - Dry Clean only
Regular cleaning of your ergonomic office chair will take you about 15 to 20 minutes, including drying time. Deep cleaning will take up to 30 minutes or more depending on the stubbornness of the stains you are dealing with. Daily cleaning should not take you more than 3 or 5 minutes.
Cleaning Your Office Chair
Now that you have gathered all the needed tools and materials, let us get on with the cleaning. There are general steps to clean office chairs and some specific details for cleaning either leather or fabric chairs.
5 Steps to Clean Your Office Chair
The cleaning steps below are ideal for mesh, fabric, and plastic chairs.
Step 1: Remove Loose Debris
Use the vacuum cleaner to remove dust, hair and any other loose debris off the chair surface—from the top to the bottom. You can also use a lint roller or a soft-bristled brush to remove lint and hair. For places that the vacuum cleaner cannot reach, make use of a duster or lint-free damp clothes.
Step 2: Clean the Chair Fabric With Soap
Mix a moderate amount of dish soap or any other gentle soap with water in a bowl or spray bottle. Then wipe the chair surface gently with a clean cloth dipped in the soap. If you are using a spray bottle, spray the soap solution lightly on the chair surface while you wipe it with the cloth.
Do not spray the chair with soap solution to soak it. Too much soap can damage the chair materials or lead to discolouration.
Step 3: Rinse the Chair
After cleaning the fabric, get another clean cloth dipped in clean water to wipe down the chair and rinse off the soap. Again, ensure not to soak the material in too much water. You may need to repeat the process for the proper removal of the soap from the chair fabric.
Step 4: Clean the Chair Wheels and Base
Aside from the seat and backrest, you should also wash the other parts of the chair. The armrest, wheels and base should be cleaned with a damp cloth. You can start with the soap solution before wiping it with clean water. Places that are hard to reach can be cleaned with a brush.
Step 5: Dry the Chair
Finally, allow the chair to air dry or use an air dryer to fasten the process if you need to use your chair urgently. Proper drying is important to avoid damage to your chair or the formation of offensive odour. You may use a good air freshener or an aromatherapy product to corroborate the cleaning for a better scent after cleaning.
Tips for Cleaning Leather Chairs
When cleaning our leather office chair, use mild soap and warm water to wipe the leather surface after vacuuming. It is also important to be gentle in wiping the leather surface in one direction. Avoid scrubbing your leather chair in a bid to remove stains, as that will only damage the leather. After cleaning, always apply a leather conditioner to preserve the chair.
Tips for Cleaning Plastic Chairs
Plastic office chairs are the simplest and easiest to clean. You start by dusting or vacuuming off any dust or crumbs on the surface. Then, gently wipe down with a cloth and soap solution. Rinse and dry the chair, and it will be ready to go.
Tips for Cleaning Mesh Chairs
Mesh chairs require more work than plastic chairs but less attention than leather chairs. Mesh office chairs are best cleaned with dish soap. Similar to the steps above, start with vacuuming, then wipe any dirt with a clean cloth and soap solution. Rinse off the soap and dry the chair.
Darren Sherwood
Dealing With Stubborn Stains
The removal of stubborn stains on your office chair requires extra cleaning efforts. But before attempting any procedure, examine your chair material. Your choice of stain removal mustn't be too strong for your chair. You may make use of alcohol, vinegar or special upholstery cleaning kits. Where necessary, do not hesitate to employ the services of a professional cleaning service or a carpet cleaner.
Try out the stain removal on an inconspicuous part of the chair to be sure it does not have any damaging effect on the chair before applying it wholly.
Always perform the general cleaning steps before tackling the deep stains. For specific stains and spots, add a few amounts of the stain removal (either vinegar or an alcohol-based cleaner or a carpet cleaner and wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth. You may need to repeat the process severally until the stain is completely removed. Now, rinse off the stain removal and dry the chair.
Laura
How to Keep Your Office Chair Clean
It is essential to keep your office chair clean as you use it regularly. Here are some simple steps to help keep your chair clean.
- Avoid the spillage of food and drinks on your office chair and in any case of spillage, clean it immediately. The best thing to do is to avoid eating lunch at your desk.
- If possible, get a chair cover to dust and dirt away from your chair. This will keep the chair clean without needing to clean it with water.
- Use a protector spray on your chair based on its build material to prevent future stains.
- Ensure to keep the appropriate office temperature and keep your chair away from air vents. This keeps the chair protected from excessive moisture that causes it to attract dirt or dust.
Wrapping Up!
Cleaning your office chair is necessary but so is your working desk and work environment generally. You should regularly wipe your office chair with spray and disinfect it once every week. You should also use conditioners for fabric or leather depending on your chair materials to prolong its lifespan. Finally, vacuum your office space to remove the buildup of dust and debris.
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