You spend an awful lot of time sitting in your office chair at your desk. Being comfortable means having an office chair that fits you properly, goes with your decor and is clean and fresh-smelling. With everyday use and daily wear and tear, office chairs tend to become breeding grounds for dirt, dust and germs. You’ve also likely spilt a coffee or two or maybe dropped your lunch at your desk. With common household cleaning supplies, you can keep your chair like new—you might even prevent an oncoming sickness, too!
The first step in the cleaning process is to check the care tag on your chair (usually on the underside of the seat). The tag provides cleaning instructions directly from the manufacturer. If you see an S, you should only use solvent-based solutions to clean the chair. A W means you should use a water-based solvent, while an SW or S/W means either type of solution can be used. X means the item should be professionally cleaned and C means stains are removed with plain water and powdered enzyme detergent or Crypton upholstery cleaner
If you spill something and stain your chair, blot up the liquid with a damp cloth. Use it to sponge up as much of the liquid as you can. Wring out the liquid in a separate container or sink and keep blotting until the spill is gone. To clean stains on S-coded chairs, apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent to a dry cloth and blot up the stain. Make sure to use a damp cloth to wick away the solvent, otherwise it could leave a ring on the upholstery. For W-coded chairs, mix a mild dish soap with water and dampen a clean cloth with it. Blot the stain with the cloth, being careful not to rub the stain as you may damage the upholstery—especially if it’s made of fabric or microfibers. You can also remove stains by dampening a cotton ball with a few drops of rubbing alcohol and rubbing out the stain. (Don’t use this method on acrylic fabric upholstery.)
For regular maintenance cleaning, chairs that are leather, vinyl, plastic mesh or polyurethane-covered can be maintained using a vacuum cleaner, dishwashing soap, a spray bottle or a small bowl, two or three clean, soft cloths and a duster or can of compressed air. Start by vacuuming the whole chair with a brush attachment to get rid of any loose debris. This initial vacuuming will help the cleaner penetrate the fabric more easily without excess dirt in the way. A duster can reach into tight places that your vacuum might not be able to. Alternatively, you can use a can of compressed air to blow out any dirt particles.
When you’re done vacuuming, mix a solution of natural, biodegradable dish detergent and water. For fabric, vinyl or leather upholstery, mix a few drops of soap with one cup of water. Depending on what the upholstery is made of, the makeup of your solution will vary. Dip a clean, lint-free cloth in your cleaning solution so that it’s damp and not soaked and wipe down the upholstery, being careful not to rub or scrub as this could fray mesh or scratch leather. Finally, wipe away any water or soap residue and allow the chair to air dry in a well ventilated area. Do a regular maintenance cleaning weekly or as often as you vacuum, sweep your workspace or wipe down your desk.
If your office chair is fitted with casters, remember to clean them, as well. You can do this by flipping your office chair to access the inside of the housing units. Get rid of any debris, hair or lint using a vacuum cleaner or gloved hands. Alternatively, you could go more in-depth by unscrewing the wheels from the casters. When that’s done, wipe the insides with a dry cloth or cotton swab and screw the wheels back on. Finally, spray a little lubricant in each caster to enable the wheels to roll more smoothly. Do this at least once a month to ensure your casters don’t break down at some point.
Following these cleaning instructions will help get the dirt out of all your office chairs. Cleaning them will help them to last longer, as well. If you don’t want to do it yourself or you want to deep clean your office chair and tackle the most stubborn stains, call us at Cubix, Inc. We have the knowledge and expertise to have your chair looking like new.
Travis Owens, the President of Cubix, Inc., has dedicated over 18 years to refining and leading the premier leader for commercial flooring services in Florida. Before taking the helm as President, Travis excelled as the Director of Operations, solidifying his reputation as an industry trailblazer in commercial flooring consulting and solutions. A proud veteran, Travis honorably served 8 years in the Marines, exemplifying his commitment and discipline in all endeavors. Residing in Orlando with his family, he also indulges in his passion for culinary spices.
