How to Clean an Office Chair
To clean an office chair, check the care label, then vacuum it. If the label allows water, wipe it over with warm water and a little washing-up liquid on a microfibre cloth, using as little water as you can. Deal with stains straight away, and let the chair dry completely before you sit on it.
The same method works for a desk chair or computer chair at home. The care label tells you which cleaners your chair's cover can take, so it's always the place to start.
Most people keep their desks clean, but many have to ask how to clean fabric chairs, mesh backs or leather seats. A clean chair is a more pleasant one to sit in, too: see what else to look for in a comfortable office chair. Here's how to clean an office chair, whatever it's made of.
Recommended Cleaning Materials
Whether you have your own cleaning kit or share one with colleagues, there are a few must-have items:
- A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment
- Microfibre cloths
- Absorbent sponges
- Chamois leather cloths
- Dishwashing detergent
- Stain remover
- Alcohol wash, for some fabric stains (not for leather or faux leather)
- Leather cleaner and conditioner, if you have a leather chair
- A toothbrush for getting into nooks and crannies
- A sanitiser solution
With these to hand, you can keep your office chair clean and react quickly to spills. When you're planning your office interior design, don't forget a space for cleaning supplies, somewhere central so everyone can reach them.
How Long Does it Take to Clean a Desk Chair?
Allow at least 20 minutes for a thorough clean. You'll need to clean the seat, back, arms, base and castors, plus any crevices where dirt and crumbs collect. If you clean your office chair once a month, each clean should be quicker and easier.
The 20 minutes is cleaning time only. Fabric and foam need several hours to dry, often overnight, so it's best to clean in the evening.
Between monthly cleans, give the chair a quick vacuum or dust once a week. Then wipe the arms, base and any wipe-clean surfaces with a barely damp cloth. A chair used all day, or shared at a hot desk, may need this more often.
How to Deep Clean an Office Chair
For widespread grime, or marks that keep coming back, use a commercial upholstery cleaner that suits your chair's cleaning code. Follow its instructions exactly, test it on a hidden patch first, and let the chair dry fully.
If home methods don't shift the dirt, or you're not sure what the cover will take, book a professional upholstery cleaner. That's safer than risking the fabric with a stronger product.
Cleaning Different Office Chair Types
Different materials need different approaches. Before you start, check the care label or the maker's instructions, and try any cleaner on a hidden patch first.
Mesh Desk Chair
Mesh can be more delicate than materials like faux leather and plastic, so go gently. Start by vacuuming it with a brush attachment to lift the dust from the weave.
Then clean the mesh in sections with warm, soapy water and a microfibre cloth, using a circular motion. A soft brush helps with marks. Don't use anything abrasive or any harsh cleaning agents, as the material in some mesh desk chairs can tear if it's scrubbed too hard. Wipe off any soap with a clean, damp cloth and let it air dry.
Dust and crumbs collect where the mesh meets the frame. Run a soft, dry brush or a cotton bud along those joins to lift them out.
If you spill something on mesh, blot it straight away with a dry cloth or kitchen paper. The aim is to get the liquid out before it soaks into the frame or the seat padding underneath.
Plastic Desk Chair
A plastic office chair is probably the easiest to clean. Warm, soapy water and a clean cloth will do most of the work, and you can use a little extra force. For a stubborn stain or a sticky mess, use a soft brush and let the soapy water soak in for a minute first. Don't use scouring pads: they can scratch the plastic.
Fabric Desk Chair
To clean a fabric office chair, first find the care label, usually under the seat. If its cleaning code is W or W/S, water is fine. You need warm, soapy water, a microfibre cloth or sponge, and patience. Work through it in this order:
- Vacuum the seat and back to lift loose dirt, dust and crumbs.
- Dampen a cloth or absorbent sponge with warm water and a little mild detergent. Wring it out well.
- Gently clean the fabric in small, circular motions, paying attention to any marks.
- Rinse the cloth in clean water and wipe away the detergent.
- Let the chair air dry completely before you use it again.
If you come across a stubborn stain, a mix of white vinegar and water might shift it, or a little alcohol wash if the label allows solvents (W/S). Test it on a hidden patch first. Otherwise, try a commercial stain remover. The faster you clean fabric office chairs after a mishap, the better your chance of success.
Tip: if an upholstered chair is still smelly after cleaning, cover the fabric in bicarbonate of soda. Leave it overnight to absorb the odours, then vacuum the powder off the next day.
Fabric Chairs Coded S or X, or With No Label
If the label says something else, use a different route:
- S (solvent only): don't use water, which can leave rings or marks on these fabrics. Use a water-free upholstery cleaner made for solvent-coded fabric, and apply it exactly as its label says. Test it on a hidden patch and let it dry before you judge the result. Blot gently, never soak, and let the fabric dry fully.
- X (vacuum only): vacuum or brush the fabric, but don't use water or any cleaner. For stains, ask a professional upholstery cleaner.
- No label, or you can't read it: check the maker's instructions, or ask the maker, before you put any cleaner on the fabric.
Solvent cleaners need care. Open a window, keep the room well ventilated and wear gloves if the label says to. HSE guidance for cleaners warns that some ingredients in cleaning products can cause skin allergies and asthma, and advises good ventilation.
How to Get Stains Out of a Fabric Office Chair
Treat a stain as soon as you can, and match the method to the stain. These suit fabric that can take water (W or W/S):
| Stain | What to do |
|---|---|
| Coffee or tea | Blot up as much as you can with a clean cloth or kitchen paper. Dab with a cloth dampened in cool water, then blot dry. If a mark remains, add a drop of washing-up liquid to the water. |
| Blood | Use cold water, never hot, which can set the stain. Dab with a cold, damp cloth and blot. Repeat until no more colour comes off. Wear disposable gloves if it isn't your own blood. |
| Grease or food | Lift off any solid bits with a blunt knife or spoon. Blot oil with kitchen paper. Then dab with a little mild detergent in warm water, or use an upholstery stain remover that suits the fabric. |
| Ink | Use an ink remover made for upholstery. Or dab with a little surgical spirit on a cotton bud, but only if the care label allows solvents (W/S). Work from the outside in, so the ink doesn't spread. |
Whatever the stain, test the cleaner on a hidden patch first. Blot, don't scrub, and turn to a clean part of the cloth as it picks up the stain. Remove any cleaner residue as its label says, then let the fabric dry fully.
On S-coded fabric, skip the water and use the solvent route above instead.
Leather Desk Chair
For everyday cleaning of leather office chairs, dust the chair, then wipe it with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a little mild soap. Wring the cloth out well first. Don't soak the leather, and dry it with a clean cloth as you go.
For stains, use a leather cleaner or saddle soap, following the instructions on the tin. Then take off any leftover soap or cleaner with a second cloth, dampened in clean water and wrung out until it's barely damp. If the cleaner's label gives its own way of removing residue, follow that instead.
Dry the leather with a soft cloth, then finish with a leather conditioner to keep it supple. Let leather dry naturally at room temperature. Never use a hairdryer, or put the chair by a radiator to speed things up, as heat can dry out and crack it.
For extra protection, a leather protector that suits your chair's finish helps stop spills soaking in. Apply it after conditioning, as its instructions say.
Avoid alcohol, vinegar, solvents and household sprays, which can dry out or mark many leather finishes.
Faux Leather (PU) and Vinyl: Wipe-Clean Office Chairs
Faux leather, also called PU, and vinyl are the easiest chair covers to wipe clean. A cloth dampened with warm, soapy water removes most marks, followed by a wipe with a dry cloth.
Skip solvents, alcohol and abrasive pads, which can crack or dull the coating over time. If you want wipe-clean office chairs for a busy office, these covers are a practical choice. Our guide to what PU leather is explains how it differs from real leather.
Desk Chair With Wood Accents
Warm, soapy water and a microfibre cloth will normally be all you need to clean treated wood. Just don't soak it. Dampen a clean cloth with your water and washing-up liquid, and gently rub the wood in small, circular motions. Avoid chemical cleaners, which can strip the coatings that protect wood from water damage.
How to Clean Desk Chair Castors
First, get the castors where you can reach them. Lay the chair on its side, or turn it upside down, on an old towel or rug so it can't roll or scratch the floor.
If you can remove the castors, do. Wash them in warm, soapy water, scrub off any build-up, then dry them thoroughly before you refit them.
Caked-on dirt? Soften it first with a warm, damp cloth held on it for a few minutes. Only soak parts the maker says are fine to wash, such as plain plastic wheels. Don't soak bearings, metal axles or mechanisms unless the instructions say you can.
If you can't remove them, scrub them with a small brush, and use a toothbrush for the crevices. Pick out hair and small bits of debris with tweezers. While you're there, check the wheels for wear: a castor that sticks or wobbles is worth replacing.
Some castors come apart, which makes it easier to reach hair wound round the axle. Only take them apart if the maker's instructions say they're designed to be serviced. Dry every part fully before you put it back together.
Office Chair Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Most cleaning damage comes from doing too much, not too little. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Harsh chemicals or bleach can discolour or weaken the cover.
- Too much water soaks into the foam, takes ages to dry and can leave odours behind.
- Abrasive brushes and scourers can fray fabric, tear mesh and scratch coatings.
- Scrubbing hard at a stain can push it deeper into the material. Blot and dab instead.
- Mixing cleaning products can give off harmful gases. The UK Health Security Agency warns that bleach mixed with acidic products such as vinegar releases chlorine gas, and with ammonia-based cleaners releases irritating fumes. Use one product at a time, and never add bleach to anything.
- Solvents on the wrong cover can ruin it. Keep alcohol, surgical spirit and solvent cleaners off leather, faux leather and vinyl, and use them on fabric only where the care label allows.
Keep Your Chair Clean for Longer
A regular clean helps a good chair last longer, but the chair itself has to be built well in the first place. Alongside a cleaning schedule, these habits help your office chair stand the test of time.
Clean Up Spills Fast
One of the worst things you can do after a spill on an office chair is to "leave it until later". The faster you act, the better your chance of avoiding stains and harder cleaning jobs later.
Many of us eat and drink at our desks: lunch at the keyboard, and plenty of tea, coffee and fizzy drinks. So it's no surprise that spills, crumbs and stickiness shorten the life of plenty of office chairs.
Be ready for the morning coffee that ends up on your chair. Keep a few emergency items at your desk so you can clean up spills immediately:
- Absorbent paper towels
- A spray bottle filled with water and washing-up liquid
- A microfibre cloth
- Alcohol wash
- Bicarbonate of soda
With fabric chairs, blot up as much of the liquid as you can first, rather than rubbing it in. Bicarbonate of soda then helps draw moisture out of the fabric and stop odours taking hold.
Avoid Having Food on Desk
Organise your desk space so there's a dedicated place for everything, but don't store or eat food at your desk. It's common, but it invites bacteria, mess and stains.
Try to spend lunch and breaks away from your desk, whether that's the office kitchen or a local café. Your chair, and the rest of your workspace, will see far fewer spills, crumbs and sticky messes.
Drinks are the bigger risk for most chairs. Keep open cups away from the edge of the desk, never balance one on the armrest, and use a cup with a lid if you drink at your desk all day.
Use a Protection Spray or Cream
Even with a good cleaning routine, you never know when the next mishap might strike. So it's worth protecting fabric with a spray or cream.
Choosing an office chair without fabric cuts the cleaning and care needed. But nothing beats the comfort and warmth of fabric. If you do go for fabric, choose a water-based protection spray that guards against stains, odours, fading and general wear and tear.
A fitted, washable chair cover is another option, especially on a light-coloured chair. Take it off and wash it as its label says, and you protect the upholstery underneath.
Keep Chair Out of Direct Sunlight
Over time, sunlight can fade leather, fabric and wood. If your office chair sits next to a window, use blinds or curtains to shade it, or simply move the chair out of direct sun.
Keep it away from radiators and heaters, too. Constant heat can dry out and crack leather and faux leather, and fade fabric.
Tighten Screws While You're at It
Cleaning is a good moment for a quick check-up. Tighten any loose screws or bolts on the arms, back and base, and make sure the height and tilt controls still work smoothly. Our office furniture maintenance guide covers the rest of your furniture.
Time to Replace Your Desk Chair?
Regular cleaning can extend the life of your office chair considerably. But even with good care, every chair eventually reaches the end of the road. A worn or damaged chair stops supporting you properly, and it doesn't look great either.
Here are the telltale signs it's time to replace your desk chair:
- Holes or tears in the fabric or leather
- Stains you can't remove with professional stain removal products
- Broken wheels or castors
- Serious discolouration
- Greasy marks that won't respond to cleaning
- An awkward or uncomfortable seating position
- Office chair embarrassment (it happens to us all!)
For more on how long a chair should last, read how long office chairs should last.
If you've decided it's time for a new office chair, Office Supermarket has hundreds of options to choose from. If you're looking for ergonomic desk chairs, for example, the Maxi Ergo Office Chair with Lumbar Pump is ideal. Designed to adapt to your body shape, this premium chair is available in black, charcoal and blue.
If you want an elegant office chair that's easy to clean, the Montana Executive Leather Chair is ideal. This statement chair has a plush seat, a padded backrest, a chrome base and a knee-tilt mechanism. Because it's made with premium grade leather, it's relatively easy to clean and look after.
For the perfect combination of manoeuvrability, comfort and style, a mesh office chair is ideal. Take the Chachi Mesh Office Chair, for example. With raised armrests and an ergonomic headrest, it looks great and offers comfort in all the right places. Because the mesh is lightweight and hardwearing, it's relatively easy to clean.
FAQs
How do you clean a smelly office chair?
The first thing to do is remove any excess debris, spillage or accumulations. If the chair is quite old, the chances are the odour is coming from deep within the fabric or stuffing. Once you’re confident the chair is clean, cover the fabric with bicarbonate of soda and leave it overnight. Then vacuum the powder from the surface.
Why do mesh chairs get so dusty?
Mesh chairs are great at keeping you cool and comfortable at the same time. But there’s a downside. Because mesh consists of many tiny surfaces, crevices and gaps, there’s more surface area for dust to settle on. That’s why regular cleaning and dusting are essential.
How do you clean non-removable chair cushions?
If you know how to clean fabric chairs, you can easily turn your hand to cleaning non-removable chair cushions. In most cases, all you need is a sponge or microfibre cloth and some warm, soapy water.
Wring the cloth out well, so it's barely damp. Gently dab the solution onto the dirty areas of the cushion, then leave it to air dry.
It’s important to give the chair lots of time and ventilation before you use it again. Sitting on it while it’s still damp may lead to more odours and mould over time. If you can, take the chair outside to dry. Otherwise, open a window and give your chair the time it needs to dry fully.
How do you clean a removable seat cover or cushion?
Some office chairs have a seat cover or pad that's designed to come off. Only remove or unzip parts the maker says are removable. A zip on its own doesn't mean the cover can be washed.
If the cover and foam come apart, clean each one as its own care instructions say. Machine-wash the cover only if its label says you can. Foam usually just needs a vacuum and a spot clean with a barely damp cloth.
Refit the cover only when both it and the padding are completely dry. Damp foam inside a cover can start to smell.
How do you clean a chair without a steam cleaner?
Cleaning an office chair without a steam cleaner is relatively easy. Warm soapy water, a sponge and a little patience will do the bulk of the work. Use as little water as you can, because fabric and foam are slow to dry.
That’s why ventilation and time are so important. Give your chair the chance to dry out completely before using it again. You can speed up the process by taking the chair outside in the fresh air or using fans to increase airflow.
Can you steam clean an office chair?
Only steam-clean a fabric office chair if the chair maker says it's safe. A W cleaning code means water-based cleaners are fine; it doesn't mean steam is. Steam can soak the foam and loosen glues. Never steam leather or faux leather.
How do you clean an office chair without a vacuum?
Use a soft upholstery brush to sweep dust and crumbs out of the seat, back and seams, brushing in one direction. Then go over the fabric with a lint roller to pick up hair and fluff. A cotton bud or old toothbrush reaches the corners. After that, clean the chair as normal for its material.
How do you disinfect an office chair?
Clean first, then disinfect. Wipe the hard touch points, such as the arms, levers and base, with soapy water, then apply a surface disinfectant that suits each material.
Follow the disinfectant's label, including how long it must stay on the surface (the contact time) before you wipe it or let it dry. HSE guidance also says to follow the maker's preparation instructions and contact time for disinfectants.
Upholstery is different. Use a disinfectant on fabric or leather only if the product says it's safe for that material, and test a hidden patch first. The cleaning code alone doesn't tell you. Don't use bleach on any part of the chair.
