How to Deep Clean an Office Chair & Remove Stains

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How to clean a desk chair and keep it looking brand new
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If you spend a lot of time at your desk, your office chair will probably get dirty and need to be cleaned now and then. Luckily, the process is fairly simple as long as you read the chair’s care tag. In this article, we’ll teach you all the steps to clean an office chair, how to remove stains, and how to care for specialty materials like leather and wood. Plus, learn how to keep your desk chair clean in the first place.

Deep Cleaning an Office Chair

Dust and vacuum the chair’s entire surface to pick up as much loose debris as possible, then wipe the chair down with soap and water or a dry cleaning solution depending on the chair’s care instructions. Take the wheels off and use a butter knife to remove any gunk before reinstalling them.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Clean an Office Chair

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  1. Pick up and dispose of as much loose debris as possible, then dust the chair’s entire surface, from the top to the wheels to remove as much dust and debris as possible. Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment and crevice tool to remove stubborn hair, lint, and other debris. If you don’t have a crevice tool, a can of compressed air can remove debris from hard-to-reach spaces. [1]
    • An upholstery attachment brush is soft enough that it won’t scratch leather and vinyl upholstery.
    • Make sure the suction isn’t too strong, as this could damage leather upholstery.
  2. Check the care tag on your chair to determine which cleaning solution to use. [2] In most cases, a solution of warm water and a few drops of dish soap will do. Simply fill a spray bottle or dip a clean cloth in the mixture and dab—don’t rub—it onto the chair’s upholstery. Use enough to coat the surface but do not completely saturate the material.
    • If the care label has an S, use a dry cleaning solvent instead. Any product containing water could damage the upholstery. Follow the instructions on the product’s label to apply it properly.
    • If the label has a W, use a water-based solvent, like the water and dish soap combo mentioned above. If it has an SW or S/W, either type of solution can be used.
    • If the label has an X, it can only be cleaned by a professional. If it has a C, it requires an enzyme detergent.
    • No matter the solution you use, test it in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it won’t damage the chair.
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  3. Since these parts are usually plastic or metal, they’re much easier to clean than the chair’s upholstery. Wiping them with a damp cloth will usually be enough to clean them. If the spill is a bit more tenacious, use a mild solution of water and dish soap. [3]
  4. If it’s safe to use water on the chair, dampen another cloth with clean water and wipe away any soap residue. Then, use another clean, dry cloth to dry the arms, legs, and seat covers. Allow the chair’s upholstery to air dry in a well-ventilated area or use a hair dryer to speed up the process. [4]
    • If you used a dry-cleaning agent, follow the product’s instructions to determine if you should rinse it.
  5. Some desk chair wheels pop right off, while others need to be unscrewed. Once you’ve removed them, use a butter knife to scrape off large debris, like dried food or pebbles, that might be stuck in the wheels and hindering the chair’s movement. Then, wipe the wheels down with a damp, soapy cloth to remove stubborn dirt. Dry them with a paper towel before reattaching them to the chair. [5]
    • If there are hairs stuck in the wheels, cut them with scissors, then use tweezers to remove them.
    • If you need to clean between the wheel and the cover, use a cotton swab moistened with water to clean along the crack.
    • Make sure the wheels dry completely. Otherwise, the moisture will prevent the chair from rolling smoothly.
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Section 2 of 5:

Removing Stains from an Office Chair

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  1. Dampen a cotton ball or cloth with a few drops of rubbing alcohol. Test the alcohol on a small, inconspicuous area, like the underside, to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric. If it doesn’t, go ahead and dab the alcohol onto the stain. Remove any residue with a damp cloth and allow the chair to air dry. [6]
    • Don’t use rubbing alcohol on acrylic fabric upholstery, as it may damage the fibers or fade the dye.
    • Rubbing alcohol only has a small amount of water, and you may be able to use it on S-coded upholstery. Just be sure to test it first.
    • If the alcohol doesn’t work, try applying an enzyme-based stain remover according to its instructions. Again, test an inconspicuous area first.
    • Cleaning specialist Elias Weston says it’s also possible to remove stains with a steam cleaner: “If you’re going to be steam cleaning upholstery, make sure your steam cleaner has a smaller fabric attachment. Floor steam cleaners can be large, bulky, and aren’t designed to clean smaller pieces of furniture and upholstery. Prepare the steam cleaner according to the model’s instructions by pouring water and soap into the machine, and begin steam cleaning.”
    EXPERT TIP

    Elias Weston

    Cleaning Specialist
    Elias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. Elias specializes in helping clients find cleaning services with instant booking and flexible pricing. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
    Elias Weston
    Cleaning Specialist

    Remove tough stains with baking soda. Thoroughly mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap and 4 cups of water. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and soak the affected area. Blot the area with a clean, dry cloth to lift the stain from the upholstery.


Section 3 of 5:

Caring for Specialty Materials & Fabrics

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  1. Desk chairs made of specialty materials like leather, mesh, or wood may not be able to handle the same cleaning methods and products as regular cloth chairs. Be sure to check your chair’s care label for specific instructions. [7] Here are some general rules for cleaning different specialty fabrics:
    • Leather (genuine or synthetic): Use leather cleaner to clean the upholstery and apply a leather conditioner to keep it supple. Do not dry leather in the sun, as this can damage the material.
    • Wood: Don’t let water or liquid sit on the wood’s surface for too long, as this could warp the wood. To keep wooden accents looking their best, apply a wood polish , then wipe them clean. Note that many disinfectants are not suitable for wood.
    • Polyurethane: Do not oversaturate polyurethane upholstery with water or cleaning solution, as this can damage the finish and texture.
    • Mesh or net: Use a gentle setting when vacuuming mesh or net to avoid damaging the material. Do not rub the material too harshly, or it could tear.
    • Metal: Apply mineral oil or WD-40 to any metal parts that move to prevent rusting.
    • Plastic: Avoid cleaning plastic parts with bleach, as this can damage the material and break the plastic down over time.
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Section 4 of 5:

How long does it take to clean an office chair?

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  1. This includes dusting the chair and giving it a quick vacuum to pick up any stubborn debris. If your chair is stained or particularly dirty, a deep clean may take closer to 30 minutes, especially if you want to remove and clean the wheels, as well.
Section 5 of 5:

How to Keep an Office Chair Clean

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  1. Cleaning messes as soon as possible can help prevent stains from setting into your office chair. Use a paper towel to grab as much solid debris as possible and discard it in the trash. Blot up spilled liquids with a damp cloth. Wring it out over a sink or container and keep blotting until the spill is gone. [8]
    • If the chair has fabric upholstery, don’t rub as you clean; this could set the mess deeper into the fabric and cause a stain.
  2. Cleaning your chair regularly can help prevent stains from setting in so you won’t have to do a deep clean later on. Every week, try to make time to vacuum up any dirt, crumbs, or other debris to keep your desk chair looking good as new. Remember to wipe down the arms and legs with a damp cloth, as well. [9]
    • It’s also a good idea to disinfect your chair if you or anyone around you has been sick.
  3. Accidents can always happen, but one of the easiest ways to keep your office chair clean is to avoid eating or drinking around it. If possible, eat your lunch somewhere else, and be prepared with napkins and wet wipes if you have any snacks while working.
    • If you must eat at your desk, consider using a protectant spray that will help cloth repel spills.
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      Tips

      • If your chair is extremely dirty, consider having it professionally cleaned instead.
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      • If the chair has mold or bacteria, take the time to properly deep clean it by renting a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner. Or, consider getting a new chair instead.
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      Warnings

      • Before using any type of cleaning solution, apply it to a small, inconspicuous part of the chair. That way, you’ll know for sure if it’s safe to use.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-living-room/how-to-clean-upholstery
      2. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-living-room/how-to-clean-upholstery
      3. ↑ https://www.hermanmiller.com/content/dam/hermanmiller/documents/materials/reference_info/care_classic_aeron.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-living-room/how-to-clean-upholstery
      5. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-your-task-chairs-122185
      6. ↑ https://www.homemadesimple.com/in-the-home/how-to-clean-couch-by-material/
      7. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-living-room/how-to-clean-upholstery
      8. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-living-room/how-to-clean-upholstery
      9. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-living-room/how-to-clean-upholstery

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