When you work from home or in an office, it’s likely you spend a lot of your day in your chair. Between sandwich crumbs, coffee spills, and pet hair (though that one might be just for us at-home workers), office chairs can definitely use a good clean from time to time.
This blog shows you how to clean an office chair in five easy steps, so you can get back to work in a pristine environment. For further information or personalised advice, contact our team at Cleantastic today.
The Pre-Clean Checklist
Check the tag on your chair. This is usually located on the back, the platform (where the cushion sits) or under detachable seat cushions. The tag will typically have a cleaning code on it, which will determine the method you’ll need to use from here. Ensure you only follow the practices that apply to your chair’s needs.
W – Use water-based solvent.
S – Use solvent-based solutions, essentially meaning dry clean only.
S/W – Use a combination of water and dry cleaning solvents. This type isn’t seen very often.
X – Use vacuum only. This type is also uncommon.
Cleaning Your Office Chair
1. Vacuum and Dust
To prevent stains from setting in or to stop making your mess even harder to clean, always take care of any spills straight away. Vacuum or use a paper towel on the chair to pick up any crumbs, dirt, or other debris. Make sure the vacuum setting isn’t too powerful, as this can damage leather chairs.
2. Wipe it Down
For liquid stains on W chair upholstery, blot with a cloth dampened with just water. Sponge up as much of the liquid as possible— you may need to repeat this several times until the majority of the moisture is out. For particularly stubborn stains, add a mild dish soap to the water and continue blotting. Do not rub, as this can make the stain worse or damage the upholstery.
For liquid stains on S chair upholstery, use a specific cleaning solvent. These can come in liquid, foam, or powder forms. In any case, apply a small amount to a cloth to blot the stain, following the instructions on the product. Use a damp cloth to wick away the solvent.
3. Let it Dry
Make sure to wipe away any soap residue. Use a dry cloth to gently mop up any leftover liquid, and leave the chair to dry naturally.
4. Spot Clean
When the chair is dry, inspect it for any spots you may have missed, and check the areas you cleaned stains from. Use an alcohol-based cleaner to clean up any remaining stains, but test it in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it won’t harm the fabric. Once you know it’s safe to use, drop a couple of drops of alcohol onto the stain, not letting the fabric get too wet, and remove with a damp cloth. Leave it to air-dry again.
5. Wipe Down Wheels, Arms, and Legs
Wipe the wheels, arms, and legs with a damp cloth, making sure you don’t get any of these areas too wet, especially the wheels. Once done, wipe again with a dry cloth.
Need a Deeper Clean?
We hope this article has been useful for you to clean your office chair. At Cleantastic, we understand some cleaning jobs need professional help, and we offer commercial cleaning for all types of business environments including offices. We also have franchise opportunities available across Australia.
