A clean workspace is very important, for the health of your employees and professional image of your company. Keeping a clean office will help your employees be more motivated and focused. Also, when you invite people into your office space, you want to make them think as highly of you as possible, and this is much more likely to be the case if your workspace is clean and tidy.
Millions of Americans spend 40 hours or more in an office each week working in close proximity with each other. This makes office space a paradise for all kinds of germs and bacteria. The most people regularly clean their desk, computer and phone, but there is usually something they forget to clean—their office chairs. Because of the high usage, office furniture very rapidly becomes worn out and dirty and office chairs absorb dust, food and beverage particles and harmful germs which sometimes cannot even be removed with regular cleaning. Like other areas and parts of an office, office chairs need as much attention and regular maintenance is a must.
Fabric office chairs are available in a variety of styles and textures and they are fairly low maintenance, but how to clean them properly depends on their material. Take a look under the seat – often, the manufacturer places a tag in that location that tells you the fabric composition. The tag usually provides cleaning instructions and cleaning codes which can help you determine which cleaning method to use:
- “W” stands for water and this code means that you can clean this type of fabric with water-based cleaning products. This is the most durable type of fabric and it is usually used for furniture in high-volume locations.
- “S” indicates you should clean your furniture only with a cleaning solvent (dry clean only) or water free product because it will not react well if water is applied to it.
- “SW” or “WS” means you can use either water based or a dry-cleaning product. You should use furniture with the SW code in low traffic areas. Clean spots before they have a chance to set in and use a solvent based cleaner if you have it on hand.
- “X” means the item should be professionally cleaned.
After you examined the upholstery cleaning codes on your office chair you can follow some of these basic chair maintenance tips in order to keep your chair looking good and lasting long into the future:
- Vacuum office upholstery on the regular basis.
- If you have a leather office chair you should occasionally dust it with a soft, clean cloth.
- Remove dirt and smudges with a mild soap and warm water solution or use general foam upholstery cleaner. Dry with a soft, lint free cloth.
- Your chair’s wheels accumulate hair and debris and you have to regularly remove it because it can affect how your chair moves, especially on hard surfaces.
- Avoid using water on the fabric, as it will take a long time to dry and could actually cause the chair to develop mold or mildew growth, which will start to smell and become extremely uncomfortable.
