The Complete Guide On How to Clean Chairs At Home

Chairs play an important part in any household. From supporting us through mealtimes to study sessions, gaming nights and beyond, the chairs in our home do a lot of heavy lifting. So, it's important we maintain their upkeep with regular cleaning to prevent long-term damage and keep your furniture looking fresh for longer.

Don't know how to get started? This guide will explain the very best tips and tricks from our in-house product experts on how to clean all chair types and fabrics for beginners. From dining chairs to living room chairs, barstools, bench seats, occasional chairs, office chairs, upholstered chairs, wooden chairs and more, we cover it all.

Understanding Fabric Cleaning Codes

Before commencing any cleaning, we recommend reviewing the cleaning codes on your fabric labels to preserve the integrity of the chair material or surface. Let's quickly break down the most common cleaning codes so you can tackle your chair cleaning with confidence:

• W = wet & water-safe
• S = solvent-safe
• SW/WS = water and solvent safe
• X = vacuum only
• D = dry clean only

 

How To Clean Fabric Chairs

One of the most common chairs in Australian households, an upholstered chair or fabric chair is a versatile piece that can be used in every space from dining rooms to living rooms and even guest rooms. However, the methodology to clean a fabric chair will depend on its upholstery material and the chair type itself. Let's dive into some common chair cleaning tips along with how to deal with specialty fabrications:

General Cleaning Steps For Fabric Chairs

There are some simple steps to cleaning fabric chairs that can work on most upholstery:

• Use a small brush attachment to vacuum the upholstered seat thoroughly including all the seams, sides and under cushions.
• Blot spills by pressing a cloth gently onto the spill or stain to absorb liquid. Avoid rubbing as this can cause the stain to sink into the fabric further and damage fibres.
• Spot clean stains, marks, oils or debris on the chair using a mild detergent and warm water. Depending on the stain use baking soda, vinegar or rubbing alcohol and for stubborn stains use professional enzyme cleaners.
• Sprinkle baking soda for deodorising the stains or spills.
• Leave to air dry fully in a shady ventilated space.
  

Unsure about your detergent or cleaner? We always recommend test cleaning a small section of the fabric or material to avoid damaging the entire furniture piece. Have a stubborn stain? Here are some common chair stains we see and how to go about cleaning them:

• Ink or Pen Stains: Spot test first and is successful, opt for rubbing alcohol to lift the stain.
• Wine or Coffee: A stubborn stain, use soda water or vinegar paste to remove any marks.
• Odours: Baking soda paste or vinegar can help to deodorise any pungent or lingering smells from your chairs.
• Deep Dirt & Debris: Use a professional spot cleaning machine or powerful enzyme cleaners.

 

Cleaning Fabric Chairs With Specialty Fibres

Have a specific chair fabric you're looking to freshen up? Browse by material below and discover the best cleaning solutions to make your chair look brand-new:

Boucle Chairs: Start with a soft brush or vacuum and spot clean with a gentle soap. Avoid any over-saturation as water can impact the look and feel of the boucle. It can also seep into the loops of yarn or the backing of the boucle, making it difficult to dry evenly, particularly in hot or humid climates.

Sherling Chairs: Use a gentle brush in the direction of the fabric to get rid of any knots, matting or debris caught in the long hair-like fibres. Spot clean with a mild detergent and cool water to dab gently on any stains. Avoid harsh chemicals as this can damage the fibres and cause dyed Sherling to shift in colour. Air dry in a ventilated area and then use a gentle brush to fluff the fibres to restore the Sherling's signature softness.

Velvet Chairs: Begin by vacuuming with a soft brush attachment to remove any crumbs, dust or debris. Spot clean using a mild detergent and cool water and dry in a ventilated area. Once dry, brush to lift fibres and restore texture to keep the velvet feeling soft and smooth.

Cotton & Linen Chairs: Vacuum the chair including seams, crevices and under cushions. Spot clean spills with a mild detergent and cold water without oversaturating to avoid shrinking and warping. Rinse and blot with a clean damp cloth and air dry in a ventilated area. Once dry either smooth fibres with your hand or iron linen on a low heat setting.

Polyester Chairs: Vacuum and spot clean spills with a clean damp cloth. Air dry and smooth the fibres to keep the fabric looking fresh.

 

Cleaning Fabric Chairs By Type

Discover how to clean your chair by type below. From handy tips and tricks to step-by-step instructions, you'll be cleaning like a professional in no time:

Fabric Dining Chairs: Vacuum crumbs, spot clean stains and air dry. If heavily used, add a baking soda paste for odour removal.

Fabric Office & Desk Chairs: Vacuum crevices, treat strains and wipe down armrests, headrests and wheels.

Fabric Lounge & Couch Chairs: Rotate cushions to avoid overuse, vacuum cervices and treat stains. If washing-machine friendly, remove couch covers and use mild detergent on a gentle wash.

Fabric Bean Bags & Occasional Chairs: Machine wash any removeable covers and spot clean using a gentle detergent and air dry.

Fabric Gaming Chairs: Vacuum any crumbs or debris using the small soft brush attachment. Spot clean with a mild detergent and cold water to fabric sections and vinyl or leather cleaner depending on the chair's composition.

Fabric Outdoor Chairs: Remove and hose down any loose debris then spot clean with a mild soap for stains and leave to air dry. Add a protective UV and water-resistant fabric spay for longevity.

 

 

How To Clean Leather Chairs

Leather chairs bring a sleek and sophisticated look to any space. Unlike fabric chairs, leather chairs require a special treatment to keep it looking soft and plush. Wipe down the leather chair weekly and every few weeks apply a leather cleaner and conditioner to keep the leather moisturised and avoid any cracking or fading long-term.

 

How To Clean Wood Chairs

Wood chairs and wood-like chairs are relatively low maintenance in terms of upkeep and can bring a sense of warm to any room from dining to living and beyond. To take care of cleaning your wood-like chairs, start by dusting off the chair including the corners, under the seat and any joinery. Then, wipe down with a damp cloth and dry immediately. For an extra touch with real wood grains, add a wood polish or oil to prevent cracking, particularly for wooden chairs exposed regularly to the sun.

 

How To Clean Woven & Rattan Chairs

Like wood, both woven chairs and rattan chairs bring depth and dimension to your space. With the natural texture, these unique pieces can create visual interest and add warmth, from an occasional chair styled in a space to everyday dining chairs. To clean woven and rattan chairs start by dusting and vacuuming with a small brush attachment to remove any debris caught in the woven fibres of your chair. Then using a damp soft cloth spot clean any obvious stains or marks with a gentle detergent and cold water. Avoid adding too much water as this can be absorbed into the material and cause bubbling and warping over time. Leave to air dry in a shady spot and they're ready for use! By regularly maintaining your rattan chairs and woven chairs, you can prevent any fibre breaking over time or any mould buildup which is particularly common in hot or humid environments.

 

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning A Chair

Whether you're a beginner to cleaning chairs or simply want to understand how to better clean your chairs at home, there are some simple mistakes to avoid when cleaning:

Over-Saturating Fabric: Sometimes when spot cleaning a fabric, the cloth is not properly drained of all the water or contains too much liquid. This can over wet the fabric and cause materials and even harder fabrics like veneer to absorb the liquid leading to shrinkage or mould over time. To avoid this, make sure to wring out your damp cloth well before cleaning your chair.

Using Harsh Chemicals: While professional cleaners have their place, many use the wrong speciality cleaners on unique fabrics like leather, wood or upholstery. Make sure to read the instructions on your fabric cleaner and make sure it's the right one for the fabrication you're looking to clean. Then, spot test on a small area first to avoid any long-term damage.

Scrubbing Not Blotting: When a spill or stain appears, it is often instinct to scrub it away to remove the liquid or residue. However, scrubbing can often cause the stain to dig deeper into the fabric and make it even harder to remove. Instead, use a damp cloth and blot the fabric with tapping motions to lift the stain.

Clean Every Chair Like A Professional With Mocka's Expert Tips & Tricks

Cleaning chairs regularly can help keep your home feeling fresh, clean and tidy. Not to mention extend the life of your furniture pieces for years to come! After a full room refresh? Explore Mocka's stylish and affordable selection of chairs to complete any space from dining room chairs to occasional chairs, desk chairs and beyond. Shop the range online today and instantly elevate your home.