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| This one might be a lost cause |
Most people tend to give their office chair a pretty
rough time. The worker probably doesn’t exist who hasn’t, at one time or
another, spilled a cup of coffee or a can of soda on their chair. Workers who
eat at their desks leave other types of stains. And almost everyone, at one
time or another, has gotten something nasty on their hands and taken the easy
way out, using their office chair to wipe it off. Assuming that you don’t want
to leave your office chair in the condition it can end up in following incident
after incident, here are some suggestions for effective cleaning.
Consider the Material
Before you begin cleaning, you’ll want to determine what
type of material your chair is made of. If it’s vinyl or leather, probably all
you’re going to have to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth and maybe a bit of
mild detergent. If it’s fabric, however, make sure you know what kind. Take a
look under the seat – often, the manufacturer places a tag in that location
that tells you the fabric composition. The tag may even provide cleaning
instructions. If there aren’t any instructions, you can probably safely assume
that the fabric is at least half polyester, since most office chairs are
upholstered using synthetic fabrics. This is because synthetics don’t stain all
that easily, and again you might not have to clean vigorously. In fact, if you
get to the stain before it sets, you might be able to just sponge it off with a
bit of clear water. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to get to spills
before the stain sets, because the manufacturer won’t warranty the chair
against stains.
Commercial Upholstery Cleaners
Most upholstery cleaners are foam-based, and will clean,
freshen and deodorize soiled upholstery. To use a foam cleaner, dampen the
chair with a clean rag and some water, but don’t soak it. Then spray on the
cleaner, and wipe it in with the rag. Use a dry towel to soak up the excess
moisture. Repeat until the upholstery has been cleaned to your satisfaction.
Solvents
Solvents are intended to be used as spot treatments, so
getting to the stain soon after it occurs is important. Apply the solvent to
the stain using a scrubber or a toothbrush. Let it sit for about ten minutes,
and then rub gently with a damp towel until the stain disappears.
Do-it-Yourself Upholstery Cleaner
This is a cheaper alternative to commercial upholstery
cleaner. Dilute one part of mild dishwashing detergent in 20 parts warm water.
Using a rag, apply the solution in a circular motion, blotting with a clean, damp
cloth as you go. Continue rinsing until you don’t see any more soap, and then
blot the area dry with a clean towel.
Rug Doctor
If you’re cleaning a lot of chairs, or if they’re very
dirty, you might want to consider renting a Rug Doctor with a furniture
attachment from your local hardware or grocery store. It’s not as expensive as
hiring a company to come in and steam clean your chairs, and you’ll get the
same results.
Prevention
It’s always better to prevent stains than to try to deal
with them after they’ve happened. If you can afford it, go with a vinyl upholstered office chair instead of the cheaper fabric. It will cost a bit more to begin
with, but you’ll save on cleaning costs over the long run. If you have to go
with fabric, at least apply an upholstery protector like Scotch Guard before
using the chair – it will make stains easier to deal with as they happen.