How To Clean An Office Chair – DYI Cleaning Tips

by: Scott Pierce (founder, blogger & ergonomic consultant)

Whether you work from home or have a regular desk job, you probably spend a lot of time in your office chair. And if you’re here, you’ve just noticed how dirty your seating space has become. 

Now you’re probably wondering “How can I clean my office chair at home?”. We are happy to offer you a wealth of useful tips that will save you from spending a fortune on expensive equipment or a cleaning company!

Remember that you should clean all stains right away, otherwise they will be difficult to remove. Before opting for any cleaning solution, test it on a small, non-visible surface.

Always follow the cleaning instructions on the tag, to make sure you will not add to the damage. If you will use powerful cleaning products, take your chair in an area that is well-ventilated. Pay attention to the plastic/metal surfaces and check the wheels for debris.

Remember that even the best high-quality office chairs require cleaning from time to time – if you want them to serve you for years!

How to clean office chair
Whether your office chair has already become dirty, or you just want to keep it in a good shape, it’s crucial to know how to take care of the fabric properly

How Do You Clean A Dirty Fabric Chair?

With office chair cleaning, there are several things to take into consideration. Foremost, it is advisable to check your chair for any visible debris. Remove that and use a handheld vacuum for smaller pieces.

If you have recently spilled something on your chair, you can use a damp cloth to blot the excess. To protect the fabric but clean it thoroughly, check the tag. With some chairs, manufacturers recommend only solvent-based solutions. We can clean others with water-based solvents. In fact, water based cleaning can offer amazing results, helping you eliminate even those pesky stains.

Code S – Dry Cleaning Upholstery

S-coded chairs require only dry-cleaning solvent, as any water-based products can cause damage to the upholstery. We should apply the solution with a dry cloth, which will then clean the chair. Dry cleaning will offer the best protection for the fabric.

Code W – Water-Based Cleaning

You may ask yourself: how to clean chair fabric on W-coded chairs? Well, in this situation, a water-based solvent works best.

Take a clean cloth and dampen it with a mixture of dish soap and water. Clean the stains on the chair but do not rub aggressively.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol might be a solution for cleaning chair upholstery, particularly for stubborn stains. Test the solution first, to make sure it does not damage the chair.

If everything is all right, spray it over the stained area and then use a cotton ball or clean sponge to clean the stain. We do not recommend the rubbing alcohol for acrylic fabric upholstery. Also, in case of mesh upholstery, be gentle and avoid excess cleaning.

How do you clean a mesh office chair
Cleaning mesh office chair is not difficult, but requires precision

How Do You Clean A Mesh Office Chair?

Mesh office chairs are popular desk accessories, as they offer adequate ventilation. They have particular requirements with cleaning. For instance, you can clean these with rubbing alcohol, but gently (avoid damaging the fabric).

You can also use your vacuum to remove any existent debris. If the chair is dirty, you can clean it with a damp cloth (cleaning solution prepared from dish soap and warm water). We recommend spot cleaners for persistent stains.

How To Clean Leather Chair?

Leather chairs are elegant and comfortable, but they also come with very specific instructions for cleaning. What matters is that you choose the right products for cleaning leather and follow the recommendations on the tag to avoid causing additional damage to your chair.

You can use the soft brush attachment of your vacuum and remove any debris, but you should be careful. Be gentle to avoid scratching the leather. When done, you can wipe your chair with a clean cloth.

If the chair is visibly dirty, you can prepare a cleaning solution from liquid soap and distilled water. Apply the solution to a cloth and then work on the chair stains. Dry with a cloth, as humidity can cause damage to the leather. Consider applying a solution to protect the fabric.

Follow the same process for PU leather. We often prefer these chairs to real leather, as they are less expensive and yet look just as great. Damp cloths can help you remove recently spilled liquids. With a soft brush, you can try a deep clean on your chair.

For stubborn stains, concentrated cleaning solutions work best. You can also prepare a solution from bleach and water (more water than bleach), but be sure to test it on a less visible part, as the bleach may have negative impact on leather condition.

office chair cleaning
Be careful when cleaning leather desk chair – humidity can damage it!

Cleaning Plastic Parts

Now that you know how to clean a chair with fabric, it’s time to move on to the plastic parts. Manufacturers often make the chair structure from such a material, including the arms and legs. Take a dry cloth and wipe everything clean.

If the surfaces have pesky or sticky stains, damp a cloth in a DIY cleaning solution. Clean the entire chair, then use paper towels to dry everything. Naturally, plastic surfaces are much easier to clean than the actual upholstery.

How To Clean Office Chair Wheels

We have arrived to the question: how to clean office chair wheels? The first thing to do is turn your chair upside down and use a screwdriver to remove the wheels. With the help of a knife, try to clean any noticeable debris that might prevent the chair from moving as it should or leaving marks your floor.

A dry cloth is enough to remove dust from the wheels. However, if these are very dirty, dampen a cloth in a cleaning solution and return these to their shiny look. A cotton swab might be necessary to clean the area between the protective cover and the wheel. Dry the wheels using paper towels.

If you are wondering how to clean caster wheels, know the entire process is simple. Remove the wheels and use your fingers to pick off any debris. You can also use a tape for the same purpose. Wash the wheels and reattach them to the chair.

how to clean caster wheels
Cleaning caster wheels is probably the hardest part, especially if there are hair is stuck in the wheels

Best Way To Get Hair Off Computer Chair Wheels

It can happen that hair gets inside the wheels, hindering their movement. If you have noticed this to be an issue, all you have to do is remove the wheels from the chair and cut the hair strands with a pair of scissors. Alternatively, you can use tweezers to remove these.

Office Chair Cleaning – Final Word

We believe that, by following the tips included in this article, you will prolong the life of your office chair. Regardless of the fabric, clean the chair regularly, using adequate solutions and following the instructions of the manufacturer.

A clean upholstered chair will help you be more productive, as you will feel more comfy while sitting behind your desk. You can freshen up the upholstery from time to time, by vacuuming the chair to remove both dirt and dust and using a damp cloth for any visible stains.

Article Score:
[Total votes: 1, Average: 5]