Don’t Let Germs Take a Seat – Ways to Clean & Disinfect Office Chairs

When it comes to brightening up an office environment, there can be a lot to do. Depending on the size of your business’s building, there can be dozens to hundreds to thousands of employees. That means just as many desks, and a commensurate number of bathrooms, kitchen areas, printing spaces, and so much more. A lot of the work can be obvious – such as sanitizing desks, deep cleaning bathrooms, and even getting into the nitty gritty tasks like dusting vents and checking air filters. That being said, there are some even sneakier tasks that are not often thought of, but incredibly important – like cleaning and disinfecting office chairs. It’s hard to think of any item that sees more use than the office chair, but yet they’re so often overlooked. This year, don’t let germs take a seat by following these tips to clean and sanitize your office chairs.

General Chair Care
First, clean any stains immediately with the appropriate cleaning product – to know which one to use, check the material your chair is made from and vacuum, dust, or wipe any crevices and hard surfaces that might accumulate crumbs and debris over time. When it comes to giving the entire chair a total refresh, it will depend on the fabric or material the chair is made from. Always patch test an inconspicuous spot and allow it to dry before cleaning the entire chair.

Fabric
Fabric upholstery can be fairly simple to clean, especially if you do it on a consistent basis and don’t let it get too dingy first. Try a water-based cleaning agent, like a mild soap mixed with water in a bucket. After patch testing, use a soft cloth to wipe the chair down, and allow it to air dry.

Genuine Leather
For genuine leather, you can either purchase a specialized cleaning product or research homemade recipes using vinegar and other common items. Patch testing is essential, as damaging leather is a fast way to ruin a good chair.

Faux Leather and Vinyl
These are often easier to clean than authentic leather, and can oftentimes receive the same simple treatment as fabric using a mild soap in water. In some cases a bleach solution may be appropriate, but definitely consult the tags for specialized cleaning and care instructions.

Mesh
Mesh is best cleaned by vacuuming regularly, as debris can easily become enmeshed in the tiny woven spaces. It’s important to sanitize the material, too, using a proper cleaner, but take care not to harshly scrub as that can fray the fabric. Instead, gently wipe or blot as needed.