Due to the daily use of office chairs, they are bound to get dirty and will always require cleaning on a regular basis. There are many different ways of cleaning the office chairs depending on the material of the chair. However, in general, stains should be removed the moment they’re noticed. Before you start cleaning your chair using a given method, ensure you test-clean it first in a spot that is not conspicuous. Also, check out for any specific cleaning instructions on your chair. Your safety should also be your concern. Hence, be sure that you won’t be breathing in dangerous chemicals when you clean the office chair. The following are the ways clean different upholstery types.
1. Fabric Upholstery
Chairs made of fabric are commonly cleaned with either solvent that is water-free or with cleaning agents that are water-based. However, the first step in chairs made from this material is vacuuming crevasses and cracks that may be hiding any crumbs. After this, fill a bucket with water and add a few drops of mild soap in it. On the spot, you’ve chosen to test your cleaning agent, use a soft cloth that is lint-free. If it’s okay, you can you can wipe the entire chair down. Finally, wipe it dry with another lint-free cloth.
2. Genuine Leather Upholstery
There are three ways to clean genuine leather upholstery. You can buy a leather cleaner from a store, use linseed and vinegar or rub with water and alcohol. Of course, the first step for any of the three alternatives is to test an inconspicuous spot before proceeding to clean the whole chair. If any of these three ways is prohibited by the makers of the chair, it’s important that you avoid it. You can read the instructions to ensure that you’re not using that which is advised against.
3. Vinyl and Faux Leather Upholstery
Faux leather is easier to clean than genuine leather. For cleaning vinyl and faux leather, water-based cleaners are often used just like in the case of fabric upholstery. That is, you first vacuum for crumbs in crevasses and cracks and then use a lint-free cloth to wipe the whole chair, then following up with another lint-free cloth to dry the chair. However, most vinyl chairs can also be cleaned using bleach solutions. Again, you must be completely sure that there are no instructions on the chair tag that advice against the method you intend to use to avoid damaging your office chair.
4. Mesh Chairs
Due to many little spaces found on the mesh chairs, it’s always advised that vacuuming is done regularly since the spaces often catch crumbs. After that, a damp cloth can be used to remove any remaining stains or dirt. However, to avoid fraying of the material of the mesh chair, never drag the cloth you’re using to clean across the chair’s mesh. Therefore, you should clean any problematic areas by dabbing that specific area until it’s clean.
5. Plastic Chairs
Generally, plastic office chairs can be cleaned using soap and water. However, bleach or chlorine should be avoided because they can damage the material of the chair. In case of stains, wiping with a cloth that’s dampened with distilled vinegar can help. Alternatively, creating a mild abrasive using baking soda on a sponge that’s been made wet can also eat away the stains.
6. Wood Chairs
Wood chairs should also be cleaned. Using a lint-free cloth you should regularly wipe down the wooden office chair. To clean these chairs even more deeply, you can use a cloth to apply a wood polish of your choice in small amounts.
7. Metal Chairs
Metal chairs don’t require much cleaning or other maintenance practices. All you can do is to wipe it down with a damp cloth. The cloth may or may not be damped with mild soap.
Conclusion
With these 7 different ways of cleaning office chairs, you’ll be able to keep your office chair clean and looking as good as new. Just always make sure that the method you choose isn’t advised by the sellers of the chair.