How to Clean and Wash an Office Chair: A Step-by-Step Guide

FurWhile you spend all day sitting in front of your computer desk, your office chair becomes your best friend. It is subjected to sweat, dead skin cells, crumbs of food that you drop, and even spills of coffee. However, despite this extensive list of activities, many people forget about their chairs during the cleaning process.

It is not okay to appear in public or at work sitting on an unclean chair because it looks extremely sloppy and provides conditions for bacteria and foul odors to breed. Dust, which gets stuck in the surface of the seat, acts like sandpaper, and every time you sit on it, the fibers decline, destroying the entire cushioning.

Maintaining your chair does not require complicated procedures. No special equipment is necessary. This guide will show you everything you need to know about washing your chair and getting rid of stubborn dirt and stains.

Refer to the Manufacturing Code for Cleansing

Before applying the spray cleaner on your chair, there is the need to identify the code marked at the bottom of the seat. You are supposed to use a particular cleaning agent depending on the code. Otherwise, you may end up destroying the upholstery.

However, if your chair has lost its entire tag, you should always be careful. Apply a small drop of soapy water to the extreme end of the seat at the back part. If no color bleeds through to your white cloth, then go ahead.

The Basic Equipment That You Will Need

Collect these tools before the process so that it becomes much easier:

• Vacuum with brush attachment:

 For the removal of dried dirt from the fabric strands without tearing them.

• Microfiber cloths in white color: 

Always choose the white or lighter colors to avoid the dark stain caused by the dye from getting into your chair because of the dampness.

• Dish liquid soap:

 A good cleanser for the fabric.

• Vinegar:

 For washing away the grease from the armrests and removing any unpleasant smells.

• Baking soda: 

For the absorption of moisture from the seat area and any hidden smells within the thick padding.

• Tweezers:

 For the removal of any tangled hair and carpet threads caught in the wheel.

Step 1: Dry Cleaning (Using a Vacuum Cleaner)

Do not use any water on a dusty office chair because combining water and dust will turn the dirt into wet mud, which will penetrate the foam seating of the chair and make cleaning very difficult.

Begin by attaching the soft brush of the vacuum cleaner and cleaning all areas of the chair, including the backrest and seating surfaces.

The narrow crevice found at the meeting point between the backrest and bottom seating of the chair is very vulnerable to dust mites, hair, and crumbs, and you should remove the soft brush and attach the hard crevice tool.

Starship High Back Ergonomic Mesh Chair

Step 2: Clean Spills and Stains Caused by Liquids or Food

In order to remove stains caused by spilled liquids or food from your office chair, you will first have to clean those specific stains before moving on to the full cleaning process.

• Prepare a solution of mild dish soap diluted in warm water.
• Dip a corner of a white microfiber cloth into this solution and then squeeze out the excess water.
• Apply the wet area of the cloth onto the stain, but do not rub. This is because rubbing will damage the fine fibers of the fabric and spread the stain further.
• Continue blotting the stain until all of it is absorbed by the cloth.

Step 3: Cleaning the Upholstery of the Main Seat Fabric

Once the stained areas are cleaned, you can move forward with washing the remaining fabric on the seat. (Please note that this step should be undertaken only if the cleaning code for your chair is “W” or “WS”).

Fill a spray bottle with one cup of warm water, one tablespoon of vinegar, and one drop of clear dish soap. Spray the solution in a fine mist on a freshly prepared microfiber cloth. Remember to never spray any liquids directly on the chair; if it does soak completely through the upholstery, it will take days for the foam under it to dry out and become moldy.

Wipe down all the surfaces of the seat and the backrest, using smooth motions. A slightly damp microfiber cloth is great for removing a layer of invisible grease that accumulates on its surface.

Toorak High Back Executive Chair

Step 4:The Chair's Armrests, Base and Wheels Cleaning

A lot of dead skin, hand oils and dust from the floor gets collected in these hard metal and plastic components of the chair.

Get the cloth dampened and clean the areas of the armrests with the help of the cloth. If there is a buildup of stickiness on the armrests, then soak the cloth in white vinegar to make the cleaning easier. The gas lift central cylinder and five-star plastic base can be cleaned using the cloth.

Finally, flip the chair upside down and proceed to clean the wheels. The wheels become clogged with hair and carpets fibers due to heavy usage.You can clear them off by using either your hands or metal tweezers. In case any of the wheels are trapped, clean them up by removing the dirt from their interior track. Apply some silicone lubricant to the wheels' axles.

Step 5: Drying and Removing Odor

You should let your office chair dry entirely before you use it again. If you sit on it when it is still wet, the fabric will get stretched out permanently. You can place the chair by a window that is open or you can place a small fan by the side of the chair to help evaporate the moisture quickly.

In case there is still some odor left on the chair even after it has dried, you should head straight to your pantry. Take out your baking soda and sprinkle it generously over the seat cushion of the chair. Let it remain there for about one hour. After one hour, simply use the vacuum cleaner to remove the powder.

Creating Your Dream Work Space with Furniture Castle

Taking care of your chair will ensure that your work environment remains clean, comfortable, healthy, and well-groomed for your professional image. By spending a few minutes cleaning up any abrasive dust particles with a vacuum cleaner, cleaning stains that may have developed recently, and greasing the wheels of your chair, you will be able to ensure that it lasts a lot longer than intended.

But, should your current chair be impossible to clean anymore or no longer be providing you with enough ergonomic comfort, then it is time that you upgrade to something better. This is where Furniture Castle can be your go-to source for luxury, custom-made furniture created from premium materials.

This is when Furniture Castle will become your best choice. Being one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers in Melbourne, we provide you with luxurious office furniture that is high performing and made of top-notch quality materials. From choosing an ergonomic mesh chair such as our Alpha High Back to a luxurious leather chair such as our Toorak, we can create the ultimate work environment for you.

Explore our complete Office Chair collection today and upgrade your daily comfort!

Breezy DuoFlex Synchronized Ergonomic Gaming Mesh Chair

FAQs

1. Is it okay to use bleach to clean a white office chair?

Absolutely not! The high level of bleach will lead to the physical collapse of the man-made materials used in the chair's design. Additionally, bleach will leave unsightly yellow chemical stains on some plastics. Dish soap should be used instead.

2. How do I clean my office chair's mesh backrest?

Mesh backrests are extremely fragile and need extra care when cleaning. Firstly, vacuum the area; then, carefully wipe the chair's mesh with a wet cloth. Absolutely refrain from scrubbing the mesh backrest with a hard-bristled brush, since this can damage the fibers beyond repair.

3. When and how often do I have to wash my office chair?

Weekly vacuuming is sufficient for keeping your chair free from any dust. In order to avoid odors, the office chair must be thoroughly wiped monthly or bimonthly.

4. Is it possible to take off the seat covering to clean it?

The majority of chair seat coverings are fixed securely onto the wooden base plate beneath the foam cushion with staples. If there is no zipper on the chair seat to facilitate its removal, refrain from taking it off.

5. What should I do about squeaking chair wheels?

After removing all the hair from the wheels, apply a small drop of WD-40 or silicone spray directly onto the axle that holds the wheel inside the plastic wheel housing. Be careful not to let the liquid drip down onto your carpeting.