How to Clean Fabric, Mesh and Leather Office Chairs

You’ve just invested in some stylish new office chairs and they’ve instantly raised the profile of your workspace. You love them. Your team loves them. But how do you make sure it stays that way?

Between morning coffee spills, crumbs from snacks and the demands of long workdays, it doesn’t take long for your chairs to start showing their age. Without the correct care and attention, your seating soon loses its shine – and that’s why it’s so important to know how to clean an office chair properly.

Thankfully, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. There’s no need to spend money on a professional office chair cleaning service when you can follow these simple steps to keep yours looking (and smelling) as good as new.

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How to Clean a Fabric Chair

Fabric upholstery is a durable and affordable option for office chairs, but it is prone to stains or odours. Porous materials absorb spills, sweat and more, so regular care is essential to keep your fabric office chairs clean and fresh.

1. Vacuum up any dust or debris

Use a vacuum to remove any dust, debris or dry dirt from the seatpad, backrest and arms. For more hard-to-reach places, you can use a duster, cloth or can of compressed air.

2. Check the fabric label

Always check the fabric label or your chair’s instruction manual before cleaning. It will tell you which cleaning products are safe to use. Some materials are suitable for dry-cleaning solvents only, while others can be cleaned with a water-based solution. Look for the following material codes on the tag:

• W – water-based cleaning solution
• S – dry-cleaning solvents only
• S/W – a mix of water-based products and solvents
• X – suitable for vacuuming only

TOP TIP: Before cleaning, test a small hidden area of the chair to check the solution doesn’t cause any fabric damage.

3. Clean the fabric

If you’re cleaning with a water-based solution, use warm soapy water in a bowl or a spray bottle. Apply the solution and gently wipe or dab it with a clean cloth. Don’t scrub – you could force the dirt further into the fabric.

For dry clean-only fabrics, make sure you’re cleaning the chair in a well ventilated space to apply the solvent safely. Gently dab at the stained area using a dry, clean cloth.

4. Rinse and dry

If you’ve applied a water-based solution, use another clean cloth soaked in warm water to dab away the soapy water. After cleaning, leave the chair to air dry until it is completely dry to touch.

5. Wipe down the frame

Use a cloth and warm, soapy water (or a multipurpose cleaning solution) to wipe over any non-fabric components. This can include the legs, frame, armrests, castor wheels and adjustment levers.

6. Vacuum the chair again

Once the chair is dry, use the vacuum again to remove any dust or debris that may have become caught on the fabric during cleaning.

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How to Clean a Leather Chair

Leather is better at repelling spills, however it can still absorb sweat or body oils. In particular, arms and headrests are susceptible to the everyday grime which often leaves a shiny, sticky residue on the surface. Regular cleaning prevents this build-up and keeps your leather office chairs fresh and hygienic.

1. Vacuum up any dust or debris

Use your vacuum cleaner to remove any dust, debris or dry dirt from the chair. To protect the leather, use a soft brush attachment.

2. Wipe down the chair

Dampen a clean cloth with warm water and gently wipe down the chair. Avoid any scrubbing motion, as this may damage the grain of the leather. For a deeper clean, use soapy water or a specialist leather cleaner – but make sure you read your chair’s instructions to check it’s suitable for your type of leather.

3. Dry and buff

Leave the chair to air dry, then gently buff the surface of the leather with a dry cloth. This helps to give the leather a smart, polished finish

4. Apply protective treatment

Maintain your chair’s new look by applying a protective spray or conditioning liquid. This helps to protect the leather against cracks or damage, keeping it feeling soft and supple.

TOP TIP: Always check your chair’s cleaning instructions before applying any protective treatment, to make sure it’s safe to use on your leather.

5. Wipe down the rest of the chair

Use a wet, soapy cloth to wipe down the frame and any other non-leather components such as legs, armrests, castor wheels and adjustment levers.

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How to Clean a Mesh Chair

Mesh is a great choice for your office chairs, because it encourages airflow around the body to keep you cool and reduce the chances of sweating. However, you still need to clean mesh office chairs regularly to prevent dirt, crumbs and other debris from settling within the mesh.

1. Vacuum the chair with a brush attachment

Vacuum up any dust, debris or dry dirt from the surface of the chair. Using a brush attachment helps dislodge and remove any dirt deeper within the mesh crevices.

2. Wipe down with soapy water

Use a clean cloth and warm, soapy water to wipe the chair down. You can clean the seatpad and backrest along with the arms, legs, frame and any other components.

3. Use a cotton bud

Simply wiping the mesh will miss dirt trapped within the cracks or crevices. Use a cotton bud or swab to remove any debris from any hard-to-access areas.

4. Dry the chair

Leave the chair to air dry, or speed things up by doing it yourself using dry paper towels or a cloth.

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How to Clean Office Chair Wheels

When cleaning an office chair, many people overlook the castor wheels. Over time, these castors can become clogged with dust, dirt, crumbs, hair or other debris – this reduces the chair’s movement and mobility.

Spending a bit of time caring for castor wheels dramatically increases your seat’s performance in the long run. Find out how to clean wheels on an office chair the easy way by following these simple steps.

1. Place the chair upside down and remove any debris

Turn the chair upside down and remove any large debris from the wheels. You can use household items like tweezers to access tricky crevices and remove dirt such as hair.

2. Remove the castor wheels

Some castor wheels can be removed with a simple release latch, while others will require a screwdriver or hex key. Once removed, put the fixings in a safe place for reattachment later.

3. Clean using a damp soapy cloth

Dampen a cloth in warm, soapy water to wipe down the castors thoroughly. If the wheels are hooded, remember to clean inside the cover too.

TOP TIP: If any part of the castor wheel is difficult to access with a cloth, use a cotton bud. Cotton swabs are particularly useful for cleaning small crevices and gaps.

4. Dry the wheels and reattach them

You can leave the wheels to dry, or wipe them down yourself with a paper towel or dry cloth. Make sure you remove any moisture from the inner part of the castors. Once dry, get your fixings and reattach.

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In Summary

Cleaning an office chair is far easier than you might think. With a simple routine and a few minutes of care every so often, you’ll keep your seating in tip-top condition for longer – and guarantee maximum value for money from your investment.

If you need to deal with a spill, do it immediately. The quicker you clean it, the easier it is to avoid any lasting stains or odours. And most importantly, always check the chair’s instructions or label before applying any cleaning solution – a little bit of upkeep goes a long way to keep it looking as good as new.