How to Clean an Office Chair: The Best Tips and Tricks

Have you ever wondered how to clean your office chair? Lucky you! This guide contains all the information you need to make sure your furniture is properly disinfected and your workplace is as healthy as possible.

Did you know that you pick up germs every time you touch your keyboard, phone, or desk? Your working area can have 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat!

Such germs and viruses can lead to illnesses or infections. That's why it's so important to clean and disinfect your frequently touched work surfaces on a regular basis.

However, most people only focus on their computer equipment, desktops, or telephones when disinfecting their workplaces and ignore an essential piece of furniture: their chair.

Because they’re heavily used, office chairs can easily accumulate bacteria and germs, which can shorten their lifespan and pose several workplace hazards. Therefore, it’s crucial to clean them.

Do you want to know the best way to clean an office chair? Keep reading to find awesome tips and tricks!

How to Clean an Office Chair: Essential Steps

The key to properly cleaning your office chair is to be organized. These furniture pieces have many components or parts, and each one must be carefully cleaned.

In this sense, these are the steps you must complete when cleaning your office chair:

Wipe Down the Office Chair

Did you buy an ergonomic chair a few months ago and want to clean it? The first thing you should do is grab a dry cloth. It doesn't have to be a fancy one. Just pick an ordinary piece and start to wipe down the structure.

Remove dust from the chair's fabric upholstery and gradually move to the hard-to-reach parts to prevent dust and dirt particles from getting stuck there. This will also help you save time.

Keep in mind that this step shouldn't be skipped. It’s essential to remove these particles from the chair before applying any other product.

If you don't clean your office chair with a dry cloth, the cleaning agent or foam spray you use won't penetrate the surface you want to clean, which means that bacteria and germs will stay there.

Are you looking for information on how to clean your office chair’s smell? You'll see that this step is crucial to eliminating odors.

Vacuum the Office Chair

Do you have a vacuum cleaner? This tool is ideal for removing dust, dirt, and debris from your office chair. However, you may need to use a special nozzle.

Vacuum cleaning with a special nozzle is a recommended method for those who have a mesh office chair since this technique will make it easier to get rid of unwanted elements from the fabric surface.

Are you wondering how to clean a leather office chair with a vacuum cleaner? Activate the low suction mode and make sure this device has a nozzle with a soft brush to avoid damaging the material.

Plus, you may need to use a can of compressed air to clean dirt from hard-to-reach places.

Use the Right Products and Apply Them as Recommended

The next step in how to clean an office chair is to apply the solvent. However, you should be careful and always avoid applying the product directly to the material.

Before pouring the solvent all over your chair, test its action by applying a small amount to an inconspicuous area. If the material doesn’t get damaged, proceed to clean the rest with this product.

The ideal application method may vary by solvent, but most products should be poured in small amounts onto a dry cloth beforehand. After this, wipe the chair seat and other components.

Always check the product's label to find out if it's suitable for your chair's materials.

Let the Chair Dry

Finally, the last step is to leave the chair to dry. Let it air out for a few hours, preferably outdoors. But, remember that upholstery can be damaged by prolonged exposure to bright sunlight, so choose a shady place and control the drying time.

If you cannot or don't want to let your office chair dry outdoors, use a hot air dryer. You must make sure the entire surface is evenly dry. If soft materials retain moisture, mold and unpleasant odors may develop.

Always consider your office chair's materials before choosing the drying method and determining how long this process should take.

Guide to Clean Different Office Chair Parts

The previous information is ideal if you were wondering how to clean an office chair seat or frame, but other parts can accumulate dirt and must be properly disinfected, too.

Fortunately, this guide also contains tips and tricks on how to clean an office chair’s components. Find them below!

How to Clean Office Chair Wheels

Personally, I think going from top to bottom is the best way to clean an office chair. Therefore, I always leave this step last. However, I’ll explain it first because it's so important.

When cleaning your office chair, you shouldn't focus solely on soft materials. It’s also essential to make sure the wheels are dirt-free. Otherwise, these components won't work as they should.

Plus, wheels can accumulate debris or even small objects that shouldn't be there, which will affect their lifespan and may pose several risks.

Have you ever wondered how to clean an office chair's wheels? These are the steps you must follow:

• Remove the wheels, if possible
• Clean them, getting rid of dirt and debris
• Use tweezers or nail clippers and scissors to remove stuck debris or hair
• Apply oil or any required product to the gaps or areas beneath each wheel cover, if necessary
• Let the wheels dry completely
• Install them again in your chair

Remember to remove any office chair footrest attachment and clean it before reinstalling the wheels.

How to Clean an Office Chair Cushion

Do you have an ergonomic office chair with lumbar support? Although cleaning it may take longer, it's so easy!

If you type “how to clean an office chair cushion” in your favorite search engine, you'll discover that the steps are exactly the same as those described in the first section of this guide.

Cushions are soft materials, so you should:

• Remove them from the chair base
• Wipe them down with a soft and dry cloth
• Remove dust and other loose debris with a vacuum cleaner
• Apply suitable products in small quantities
• Rinse them
• Let them dry

The process is exactly the same if you have an office chair with a headrest. You just have to choose the cleaning method and products based on the materials used to build this piece.

Also, keep in mind that many cushions have removable covers. In that case, you can clean them using your washing machine and a mild detergent.

How to Clean an Office Chair’s Arms

Office chair armrests can also accumulate dirt, bacteria, and viruses. Therefore, you should consider these components when cleaning this furniture piece.

Do you want to learn how to clean your office chair’s arms? Start by evaluating their condition. If they aren't too dirty, you can use a dry or slightly damp cloth to wipe them.

Actually, wiping office chair armrests with a cloth on a regular basis can help you keep the surface clean, prevent permanent damage, and save time.

Do you think deep cleaning is necessary? Use the same technique you employed to clean soft materials. You just have to change the last step, as armrests should be placed horizontally in a sunny place.

If placed horizontally, water will drain, helping the armrests dry faster.

Cleaning Tips for Every Material

Keeping your office chair clean goes beyond aesthetics. Properly disinfected surfaces promote a healthy and comfortable workspace.

With different materials, you should adapt the cleaning approach accordingly. Do you need help learning how to clean your office chair based on what it’s made of?

Here are some tips on how to clean mesh, leather, and fabric office chairs:

Tips: How to Clean a Mesh Office Chair

If you have a mesh office chair, consider these cleaning tips to get the best possible results:

• Start by giving your mesh chair a thorough vacuuming.
• Remember to use the upholstery attachment for better reach, focusing on crevices and the seat.
• Use a mild detergent or mix a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water to clean the material.
• Always use detergents if you want to disinfect surfaces.
• Lightly dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and wipe down the entire mesh surface.
• Rinse the cloth frequently and avoid soaking the mesh.
• For stubborn stains, check the care label for specific cleaning instructions.

Note: You can use a vinegar and water solution, or a baking soda paste, to remove stubborn stains. Apply this mix gently, let it sit for a bit, and wipe clean.

Tips: How to Clean a Leather Office Chair

Is your chair with lumbar support made of luxurious leather? Use these tips to clean it!

• Start by dusting the leather with a soft, dry cloth to remove loose dirt and unwanted elements.
• Use a leather conditioner specifically designed for office chairs, if possible.
• If using a leather conditioner, apply a small amount with a clean cloth and buff gently to maintain the material’s suppleness and shine.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals or furniture polish, as they can dry out the leather.
• Treat spills immediately by blotting the affected area with a clean, absorbent cloth.
• Don't scrub spills, as this can spread the stain.

Tips: How to Clean a Fabric Office Chair

Do you want to learn how to clean a fabric office chair? Below are some tips!

• Start with a thorough vacuuming, paying attention to the seat and hard-to-reach areas where dust and debris may accumulate.
• Identify the fabric type (wool, polyester, and so on) and choose the cleaning solution accordingly.
• If using a specialized upholstery cleaner, follow the product instructions.
• Use a brush attachment on your vacuum to deeply clean different fabric textures.

Note: Do you think your fabric chair needs a refresh? Consider steam cleaning, which is often performed by a professional. This is the best technique for removing allergens and dust particles.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your office chair is as important as choosing an ergonomic one. Besides creating a healthy workspace, this process will extend this furniture piece's lifespan and help you save money in the long run.

Did you learn how to clean your office chair? Remember that consistency is key!

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my office chair?

Ideally, you should clean your office chair at least once a week. This process should be part of your routine if you want to prevent your seat from accumulating dirt or dust and germs or viruses.

Can I use bleach to clean my office chair?

Since it's highly abrasive, bleach can cause discoloration or significantly damage your chair's materials, especially upholstery.

It's recommended to avoid this product to clean your office chair. Instead, use mild detergents or cleaners with special formulas that won't harm this furniture piece.

How can I remove stains from my office chair?

Did you spill something on your new ergonomic chair? Don't despair! You can remove stains if you treat them immediately.

Remove excess liquid and apply a detergent or cleaner to the stain. Remember that you should only use a small amount.

After that, rinse with clean and room-temperature water before letting your chair dry completely using one of the methods described above.

How can I prevent stains on my office chair?

Many accidents are inevitable, but you can avoid staining your chair by using a fabric protector. This product will prevent spills from penetrating the seat's material or causing irreversible damage.

Should I get my office chair cleaned by professionals?

More often than not, you can clean your office chair yourself. However, there are times when it is best to contact experts.

If your office chair is heavily soiled or stained, professionals can handle the cleaning process to prevent damage and successfully restore this furniture piece to its original condition.

Getting your office chairs professionally cleaned is also a good idea if you bought this furniture piece in bulk for a huge workspace and want to disinfect them all.