How to Clean Any Office Chair

Office chairs are regularly used furniture pieces that can easily get dirty, dusty, and stained from use.

So, when the unavoidable happens, use this guide to help you clean and lift stains from any type of office chair.

Act Fast

If left untreated for an extended period, stains on an office chair will become virtually impossible to get out. So, if you’ve spilled something onto your office chair’s surface, it’s essential to act quickly.

Gather The Supplies You’ll Need

The most critical items to help clean and remove stains from an office chair include:

• – A washbowl

• – A Dishtowel

• – Dish soap

• – Bicarb soda (for deep stains & to reduce odours).

• – A vacuum or dustpan and brush

• – Three, microfibre, lint-free cloths

• – Tweezers or small scissors

Check The Office Chair’s Label

To avoid causing additional damage to your office chair, it’s absolutely vital you check the manufacturers cleaning instructions via the label. An S on the label means you should only use a solvent-based solution (e.g., a paste) to clean the chair, whereas a W means a water-based solution is better.

Once these initial steps are done, you can move on to actually cleaning your office chair.

Wipe Off Any Remaining Liquids or Oils

Start the cleaning process by removing any debris, rubbish, or oils from the surface of your office chair, with a dry cloth. If you’re trying to bring out a liquid, avoid pressing the fabric down onto the surface and instead, place the cloth on top and allow it to absorb the remaining surface liquid naturally.

Vacuum the Chair

To remove dust and dirt, use a vacuum or a dustpan and brush. Clean the entire surface, including the wheels and legs.

Note: Skip this step if you have a liquid or oil stain, as it will only cause the mess to spread and go deeper into the seat.

Use A Cleaning Solution

Using a solution is the most vital part of the cleaning process.

For light stains or a general clean – use a simple solution of natural or gentle dish soap mixed with hot water. Dip a microfibre cloth into the cleaning substance, then ring it out so it’s not dripping before it’s applied.

Tip: Never apply any solvent directly to the chair, as this could only cause further, more profound damage.

Blotch and wipe the cloth over the chair but do this gently so the liquid doesn’t soak too deep within the chair’s fabric or tear it. Being gentle while cleaning is especially important if you have a fabric or mesh office chair.

Then use a damp water cloth to remove the soapy mixture. Once that’s done, drape a dry cloth over the chair or stained area and apply pressure to dry and absorb the remaining liquid. Leave the chair in a shady yet warm spot and let it dry fully before you use it.

Clean the Wheels of the Office Chairs

Debris such as hair, wrappers, dust, and dirt particles can all get stuck in the wheel of an office chair and cause it to stop working correctly. Don’t worry though, the cleaning process is super easy. Simply turn the chair on its side and use some small scissors or tweezers to remove any substances inside the wheels. You can wipe it down with a cleaning solution to remove stains after.

Use Rubbing Alcohol or Vinegar to Eliminate Deep Stains

For baked-on blemishes on office chairs caused by food or drinks, the simple mixture of soap and water may not properly lift it. Instead, you’ll need to apply a stronger chemical, such as rubbing alcohol or vinegar, which can get deep into the fabric’s surface and correctly remove it.

Before applying either to the surface – do a blotch test on a part of the office chair not visual to the eye, such as the underside. This will ensure the chemical won’t damage the fabric.

Once you’ve determined it’s safe, add a few drops of either chemical to a cloth and gently dab the area until the stain lifts. Use a damp water cloth to remove the residue and then pat dry with another.

Add Baking Soda to Odourise

Prevent any unpleasant odours from arising by adding baking soda to the surface of the office chair. Baking soda is a natural deodoriser that can absorb any remaining residue. Apply by sprinkling onto the chair and leave for at least half an hour.

Vacuum Again

Finish the process by vacuuming the cushion of the chair again to remove the baking soda and any residual substances.

Try To Keep It Clean

To avoid future spills and having to clean your office chair all the time, there are a few things you can do, including:

• – Avoiding eating your lunch at your desk: You almost guarantee you’ll eventually spill something onto the surface by eating your lunch at your desk. Instead, get up and enjoy a real break from work by sitting in another space ideal for eating.

• – Use a protector spray or slipcover: Repel stains and keep your office chair looking fantastic all year round with a stylish chair cover or a protective fabric spray.