How to clean the fabric of an office chair

How long do you spend sitting in your office chair each week? For many, it can be most of the working day – around 40 hours a week.

And while you’re sitting in your office chair, you probably drink coffee, eat your lunch and maybe the odd crumbly snack along the way. You may return to your chair after a sweaty workout at lunchtime. That office chair experiences a fair bit of wear and tear.

Over time, your office chair can accumulate dirt, stains and even bacteria. Whilst we often wipe down our desks, chairs can be neglected. But it’s important to look after your office chair, to keep it hygienic and in good condition.

Here, we’ll run through step-by-step instructions to help you clean different types of office chair and keep them in tip top condition.

Why regular cleaning of office furniture is important

Clean and tidy surroundings can positively impact your mental and physical health and wellbeing. Clean office furniture will minimise the spread of germs, contributing to a healthier and more hygienic workplace. Dust and allergens can get trapped in office chair fabric and negatively impact indoor air quality. Again, this is detrimental to employees’ health.

Clean and tidy office furniture also looks better than a messy office environment. It helps to maintain a professional appearance. That helps to make a good impression to visitors. It’s also motivational for staff too.

In addition, regular maintenance of office chairs prevents wear and tear. That will extend the lifespan of your office chairs.

How do I clean my leather office chair?

Leather office chairs are a popular choice, often associated with senior executives. Leather’s known for its hard-wearing properties. However, it still requires regular upkeep to ensure it continues to look and feel good long term.

Your step-by-step cleaning guide:

1. Vacuum   

Start by vacuuming the leather upholstery to remove any dust, crumbs and dirt. Use your vacuum cleaner’s soft brush attachment and low suction to avoid scratching the leather surface. Make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies to remove any debris. For hard-to-reach crevices, try a can of compressed air to extract dirt and dust particles.

2. Wipe down

It’s advisable to wipe down leather office chairs on a weekly basis. Use a clean cloth with warm water to gently wipe over the chair and remove dirt. Avoid scrubbing as that can damage the grain of the leather. For a deeper clean, use soapy water or a specialist leather cleaner.  

3. Dry naturally 

Leave the leather surface to air dry. Don’t be tempted to speed up the process with a hairdryer as that can damage the upholstery. Then, gently buff the seat covers with a dry cloth (such as a microfibre cloth) for a polished finish.

4. Protect and condition 

There are various leather protectors and conditioners on the market. It’s important to check your leather chair’s cleaning instructions to make sure the product is appropriate to use. Leather protectors and conditioners will soften the fabric and reduce cracks and damage.

5. Wipe the arms and legs 

Don’t forget the frame of the chair too. Use a soapy, damp cloth to wipe over the armrests, legs, and base of the chair.

How do I clean my fabric office chair?

It’s a very similar process to the leather chair. Start with a vacuum cleaner, then wipe down and dry naturally. Always using a dabbing rather than scrubbing motion as that friction can damage the fabric. Be gentle, even on the most stubborn stain!

It’s important to remember that every office chair is made from different materials and needs slightly different treatment. Remember to check your chair’s cleaning instructions before you start to avoid damaging the chair fabric with unsuitable cleaning products.

What is the best thing to clean a fabric chair with?

Your starting point should always be checking your chair’s upholstery cleaning code or tag (typically found on the bottom of the seat). That will tell you which cleaning agents you need to use or avoid. Check whether to treat your chair with a water-based cleaning solution (“W”) or a dry-cleaning solvent (“S”). It’s advisable to test out any product on a small spot first to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric.

In most cases, soap and warm water will suffice. In a bowl or spray bottle, combine a few drops of washing-up liquid with warm water. Dab onto the fabric with a microfibre cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach, as they can damage the chair’s material.

What is the best way to remove stains from office chair fabric?

Would you know what to do if you spill some coffee, lunch or ink on your office chair? Nobody wants a stained office chair. It doesn’t give off a professional vibe.

If you have a spillage, act quickly! Clear up the excess first, then absorb as much liquid as possible. Bicarbonate of soda is great for this.

• For coffee, soak the stain in cold water and blot with a paper towel. For stubborn stains, use a small amount of white vinegar or soda water.
• For water-based stains, use a mixture of mild detergent and warm water.
• For ink stains, spot clean with a small amount of surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol).

Alternatively, try a professional stain remover specifically developed for the type of stain.

Always, blot the stain with a microfibre cloth rather than rubbing it. Rubbing can drive the stain further into the fabric. Continue soaking and blotting and you should start to see the stain disappear.

How do you deep clean a fabric office chair?

Alongside regular cleaning, you should schedule seasonal deep cleans. Either employ professional upholstery cleaners for a one-off deep clean or turn to your in-house cleaning team.

Instead of simple soap and water, use a commercial upholstery cleaner for a deeper clean on an occasional basis. Another option is to sprinkle bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) all over the chair. Leave it for a few hours to absorb dirt and debris before carefully vacuuming it all off. This helps to neutralise odours as well as clean the fabric.

How to clean office chair wheels

It’s not just the fabric in your office chair that attracts dirt. Your chair wheels pick up debris too. If they’re not cleaned, it can affect their functionality.

Start by vacuuming the chair wheels to remove what you can. Turn the chair upside down. Some wheels are easy to remove which makes it easier to access all parts for thorough cleaning.

Wipe the wheels with a damp cloth and dry using a paper towel or dry cloth. Make sure you remove all moisture from the workings of the wheels. If there are hairs stuck in the wheels, use tweezers to remove them.

Discover KI Europe’s office chair solutions

We take great care to create durable, long-lasting ergonomic office chairs. We’re mindful of how you use our products, from long hours sitting to regular cleaning. That’s why we craft our office furniture to meet those needs.

Explore our office chair solutions and more seating options

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