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Since chairs are used every day, they tend to accumulate dirt. If left unattended, stains not only become difficult to remove but also lead to the development of mold and mites, which is terrible for hygiene and can even render the chair unusable in the worst-case scenario.
In this article, we will introduce how to clean such chairs by material, such as wood, leather, and mesh.
We’ve also compiled a list of what to do in the unlikely event that blood gets on your chair and ways to prevent stains on your chair, so be sure to take a look!
What Are the Types of Chair Stains?
Since chairs are used daily, they are covered with various dirt.
- Stains from sebum, etc.
- Colours from hairdressing or cosmetics
- Dust
- Drinks, spills, seasonings
- Blood
- Mold and mites
Most stains can be removed with a vacuum cleaner and alkaline detergent, but be aware that some materials cannot be washed in water.
However, some materials cannot be cleaned with water, so be careful.
How to Clean Chairs by Material
Here are the cleaning methods for each chair material.
For routine cleaning of chairs (light sebum stains, dust removal, etc.), wipe dry regardless of whether they are made of cloth, mesh, leather, or other materials.
However, if the chairs have not been cleaned for a long time or if unexpected stains appear, cleaning them using detergents and tools appropriate for the chair material is necessary.
We have compiled a list of methods for removing stubborn stains for each chair material for your reference.
- Wooden chairs
- Fabric chairs
- Leather (including synthetic leather) chairs
- Mesh-based chairs
How to Clean Wooden Chairs
To clean wooden chairs, wet a rag with warm water in which a mild detergent has been dissolved to remove stains.
Procedure
- Dissolve one teaspoon of neutral detergent in 1 litre of warm water.
- Soak the rag, squeeze it tightly, and wipe off the dirt.
- Wipe with water, so no detergent remains, and wipe dry.
How to Clean Fabric Chairs
Procedure
- Soak a rag in a solution of 1 teaspoon of neutral detergent to 1 litre of warm water, wring it out tightly, and wipe off the dirt.
- If the chair has a zipper, place a towel between the outer and inside cushion material to prevent the zipper from being soaked.
- Wipe off the detergent with a cloth soaked in hot water, then wipe dry and let dry naturally.
Use baking soda to remove odours from cloth chairs.
If you are concerned about the smell, sprinkle baking soda as a powder and leave it overnight.
Baking soda can absorb odours, so they’re often no longer bothering you by the following day!
Vacuum up the baking soda thoroughly.
How to Clean Leather (Synthetic Leather) Chair
Procedure
- Soak a rag in a cleaning solution of 1 teaspoon of neutral detergent dissolved in 1 litre of warm water, wring it out tightly, and wipe off the dirt.
- Wring out the towel soaked in hot water and wipe clean so that no detergent remains.
- Wipe dry and let dry.
Be careful of ring stains on leather chairs!
Leather chairs can quickly become ring stained and damaged if left wet.
Oils from hairdressing, cosmetics, etc., can cause hardening, so wipe them off carefully.
Do not use chemical rags or wet wipes containing alcohol.
Use leather cream regularly on leather chairs to prevent cracks.
Leather products need to be cleaned every three months because they crack when drying out.
After cleaning, give them oiling with leather cream. The lustre will last longer!
When using a commercially available leather cleaner, check the instructions and precautions carefully and ensure it is used in an inconspicuous place before use.
How to Clean Mesh Chairs Such as Office Chairs
Procedure
- Attach the head brush to the vacuum cleaner and vacuum up dust and debris.
- Use a toothbrush to scrub hard-to-reach areas if a vacuum cleaner is unavailable.
- When wiping, use an alkaline detergent such as baking soda.
- Make a cleaning solution by dissolving four tablespoons of baking soda in 1-litre warm water.
- Wring out a rag soaked in the cleaning solution and wipe gently.
- Wipe with water to remove any residual detergent or moisture, then dry.
What to Do if You Accidentally Get Blood on Your Chair
Here is what to do if you are injured or accidentally get blood on your chair every month.
Blood is difficult to remove over time, so try to wipe it off as soon as possible.
Blood is a protein, so if you use hot water, it will harden and become difficult to remove, so please use water when cleaning.
If the blood has been on the chair for a short time
Alkaline detergents are effective in breaking down proteins, but if you do not have any, neutral detergent, soap, or contact lens cleaning solution can be used if you are at work.
Soak a towel or other object moistened with water with the detergent (dissolve the soap to make a cleaning solution, leave the contact lens cleaning solution in place), and dab or rub the area of blood to soak it up.
When the blood is removed, use a towel soaked in water to dilute the detergent. Repeat until there are no more bubbles.
Wipe off as much water as possible with a tissue and let dry. (If drying is difficult at work or elsewhere, lay a towel and sit on it.
If blood has been on the chair for a long time
If the blood has been on the chair long, use sanitary detergent or oxide to remove it.
For sanitary detergent or Oxydol, drip the detergent directly, let it sit for a bit, and then wipe it off while dabbing with a towel moistened with water.
Absorb the dirt as you move it from place to place, transferring it to the towel.
Remove as much water as possible with a tissue, lay down a dry towel, and you are done.
When using oxygen bleach and baking soda
Mix 1:1 with baking soda for oxygen bleach and beat the mixture with a toothbrush to remove the stain.
Rinse the stain on a towel dampened with water, transferring the paint to the towel while rinsing so that no detergent remains.
Remove the water with a tissue and lay out a dry towel to complete the process.
However, in the case of an office, this should be done when no one is around, so sanitary detergent is recommended to make the job as quick as possible.
Points to Keep in Mind When Cleaning Chairs
Be sure to clean chairs appropriately for the material, as some materials can cause other problems such as stains, damage, and shrinkage.
For chairs made of water-sensitive materials, be careful about the amount of water and detergent. Otherwise, it can cause cracks and discolouration.
Metal parts such as metal fittings may rust if moisture remains on them, so thoroughly wipe them up.
How to Prevent Stains on Chairs
To keep your chair for a long time, it is necessary to take care of it regularly and to prevent it from getting dirty.
Depending on the situation, you can use covers or place them in a different location.
Use covers and cushions
In households with small children or pets, chairs get dirty from spills and toilet messes.
It is difficult to clean the chairs each time, so use covers and cushions that can be easily washed to prevent stains from getting directly on the chairs.
Be creative about where you place them
Most materials used for chairs are susceptible to direct sunlight, heat, temperature differences, and moisture.
Placing them in areas with solid sunlight will lead to deterioration such as cracking and discolouration.
To prolong the life of chairs, it is necessary to avoid placing them near air conditioners and avoid direct sunlight.
Adjust the temperature and avoid excessive humidity to reduce mould and dust mites.
Have Your Chairs Professionally Cleaned
If you cannot remove stains from your favourite chairs or have a lot of office chairs, you can hire a professional to do it for you.
If the stains are too severe, even a professional may not be able to remove them, so replacement is recommended.
Conclusion
If your chair gets dirty, check the material and clean it according to the stain. In most cases, vacuuming the dust and wiping the stain with alkaline detergent will clean it.
Water residue can cause stains and damage, so it is essential to be careful about the amount of water and detergent and to dry thoroughly. For leather goods, apply cream after cleaning because drying is forbidden. If the stains are too heavy, or if you have a lot of chairs, professional cleaning is the way to go!
