How To Clean A Fabric Desk Chair

You use the chairs in your office every day, and they're bound to get dirty whether you want them to or not. To ensure that your chairs stay looking their best year after year, take these tips for the regular cleaning and maintenance of all upholstery types.

General Chair Care

Always test cleaning techniques on an inconspicuous spot first. This can be the bottom of the chair, the back of it or anywhere else that doesn't show. Just make sure that you test an unseen spot before you try a new cleaning method on the whole chair. Even if you're only using a mild soap, you never know how certain substances might react with your specific chair. Testing a hidden spot first will ensure that you don't damage an important part of the furniture.

Remove stains immediately. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. Do yourself a favor and clean it up now.

Beware of breathing in harsh chemicals. If using a cleaning agent that has a strong scent or chemical smell, only clean in a well-ventilated area.

Always check your chair for a tag with cleaning instructions. Most office chairs come with a tag under the seat that outlines care tips. Look there first before beginning any cleaning.

How to Clean Office Chair Upholstery

Fabric upholstery can usually be cleaned using water-based cleaning agents or water-free solvents. First, vacuum up any crumbs that may be hiding in cracks and crevasses. If you don't have a vacuum cleaner handy, this can also be accomplished with a can of compressed air. Next, mix a few drops of mild soap in a bucket of water. Using a soft, lint-free cloth, wipe this on your test spot first. If it looks good, wipe down the entire chair, then use a second lint-free cloth to wipe dry.

Genuine leather upholstery can be cleaned in one of three ways: with store bought leather cleaner, with vinegar and linseed oil or with rubbing alcohol and water. For a more detailed description of how to clean and maintain a leather office chair, read our guide to cleaning and maintaining leather furniture here.

Faux leather and vinyl are easier to care for than the real thing. In many cases, faux leather and vinyl can be cleaned using water-based cleaners in the same manner as fabric upholstery, and many vinyl options can even be cleaned with bleach solutions. Be sure to double check the tag on your chair for any special instructions to ensure that no damage is done. Unsure if your office chair is real or faux leather? Read our guide to leather upholstery to learn more.

guide to cleaning faux leather and vinyl chairs

Mesh chairs should be vacuumed on a regular basis, as crumbs can tend to get caught within all those little spaces. Any remaining dirt or stains can be removed using a damp cloth, but do not drag the cloth across the mesh, as this can cause the material to fray. Instead, dab any problem areas until clean.

Plastic chairs can be cleaned with soap and water, but be careful to avoid using chlorine or bleach as these can damage the material. For stains, dampen a soft cloth with white distilled vinegar and wipe. Baking soda on a wet sponge can also create a mild abrasive that will eat away stains without damaging your plastic.

Wood chairs need cleaning too! Regularly wipe down your wood chairs with a dry lint-free cloth. For deeper cleaning, choose a wood polish and apply to the chair in small amounts using a cloth. Like with your upholstery, you'll want to test out your polish on an inconspicuous area before going over the whole thing.

Metal chairs are relatively maintenance free and can be wiped down with a damp cloth with or without mild soap.

Need more advice on keeping your chairs clean? Call our furniture experts at (800) 558-1010 and shop our full selection of office chairs here.