How to Clean White Office Chairs?

White office chairs add a professional look to your home office.

However, you will soon notice that these bright white pieces of furniture can quickly turn dull over time. So, how do we clean the white office chairs?

Cleaning white office chairs involves household and commercial cleaning chemicals, such as vinegar, soap, and stain removers. Dust removal, stain removal, routine cleaning, and drying are the four procedures involved in cleaning white chairs. 

Dealing with white color can be tricky as it stains easily. Since we spend so much time in our office chair, it is more likely to get dirty quicker.

This article will provide in-depth information on the products, equipment, and methods to clean different white chairs.

Household Products for Cleaning White Office Chairs

White office chairs need a more sensitive approach to cleaning than their darker-colored counterparts. For instance, harsh chemical formulas and abrasive products can quickly dull their appearance.

You do not need fancy store purchased products to keep your white chair clean. Some household cleaning materials work efficiently to clean them up with no harsh chemicals.

Product	Proportion	Use
Oil and vinegar	One and a half cup olive oil+ one-fourth cup vinegar	Stain removal Routine cleaning Brightness
Baking Soda and Borax	One tablespoon of baking soda + one tablespoon of Borax in 100 ml of water	Oil and moisture absorption
Liquid Soap and Vinegar	Liquid soap + few drops of vinegar	Removal of dirt and grime Disinfection
Toothpaste	Enough to coat the stain	Stain and scuff removal
Ice	Zip lock bag full of ice	Removal of gums, chocolates and candle wax

1. Oil and Vinegar

Use one and a half cup olive oil mixture with one-fourth cup vinegar and spray it on the chair. Allow it to stay 5 minutes before wiping it down.

According to research, vinegar is an effective household cleaning product for removing stains and keeping the chair fresh and white.

2. Baking Soda and Borax

Baking soda has an absorbent property for moisture and oils.

• Add one tablespoon of baking soda to one tablespoon of Borax in 100 ml of water and mix.
• Soak a rag or a sponge into the solution and wipe the chair.
• Use a wet toothbrush to reach the corners.

3. Liquid Soap and Vinegar

You can mix regular liquid soap with a few drops of vinegar and soak a towel in the solution to clean the chair. Use a dry towel to wipe off the solution.

Moreover, soap removes the dirt and grime, and vinegar dissolves grease and disinfects the surface.

4. Toothpaste

Toothpaste is generally used to shine pots and pans, but it works pretty well on stain and scuff removals for furniture too.

However, you should make sure that the toothpaste you use is white. Follow these steps for stain removal on your white chair.

• Wipe the stain with a wet cloth.
• Ensure that the area is not soaked but just damp.
• Dab a little toothpaste on the stain.
• Take a soft-bristled toothbrush and scrub the area gently.
• Wipe it with a dry clean cloth when you are done.

 5. Ice

Things like chewing gum, candle wax, and chocolates might stick to the chair and are very difficult to get off.

Take a ziplock bag, fill it full of ice and place it over the stuck item for a few minutes to clean it with no mess.

You can then use a spoon to scrape it away without residue.

6. Water and Vinegar

A mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water also cleans up your white chairs. Moreover, a microfiber cloth works the best for cleaning.

Commercial Cleaning Products

There are some cleaning products available, especially for the chairs. Specific products are available for leather and fabric cleaning and many more.

Equipment Needed to Clean White Office Chairs

Equipment like a steam cleaner and vacuum cleaner helps clean the chairs and remove dust.

Many other chair cleaning equipment you might be unfamiliar with are mentioned in this table.

Chairs made of fabric cover like cotton absorb liquid stains readily and are very difficult to remove especially white ones. White chairs made of other fabrics like polyester, velvet, and Chenille also requires delicate care.

Furthermore, you need to clean the dust and stain off the chair and clean it routinely to keep your chair white and good as new.

Related article: How to Clean a White Office Desk?

Step 1: Check the Label

Before you use any products on your white office chair, you should check its labels.

The label usually contains information on whether the chair can be self-cleaned by water or requires dry cleaning.

Step 2: Debris and Dust Cleaning

Vacuuming is the easiest way to get the dust and debris out of your chairs. Make sure to reach the nooks and crevices while vacuuming your chair.

You can use an upholstery attachment for fabric chairs with a strong suction or soft brush attachment.

Moreover, to reach the nooks and corners, use a narrow-headed attachment. Furthermore, you can also use a toothbrush if you can’t get to the farthest corners of the chair but ensure that it has soft bristles or scrape the fabric.

Step 3: Stain Removal

1. Wine Stains

It’s nice to sip wine while sitting comfortably on your chair. But the spill can be horrifying for you.

Especially red wine can leave a noticeable red stain on your beautifully white chairs.

Here is what you will need to remove the stain;

• Clean Water or Club Soda
• Spray Bottle
• Clean Cloth
• Dishwashing Soap

Steps for Stain Removal

• Do not wait until the stain dries, as it will become more stubborn to remove.
• Use water to dilute the stain. You can also use white wine or club soda if it’s a red wine stain.
• Spray using a spray bottle until it covers the stain.
• Take a clean cloth and blot the stain until the color transfers.
• Use another new cloth and repeat the process until the stain is gone.

2. Oil Stains

Dropping as much as a single fry could leave a yellow oil stain on your white chair.

You need to be very cautious while removing oil-based stains as there are chances to stain further while trying to remove them.

Here is what you will need to remove the stain;

• One to two tablespoons of cornstarch
• Vacuum cleaner

Steps for Oil Stain Removal

• Sprinkle the cornstarch over the oil stain.
• Let its sit for 10 to 30 minutes.
• Use a vacuum to remove the cornstarch layer.

3. Coffee Stains

Coffee can also leave unappealing brown stains on your white chairs. Here is what you will need to remove the stain;

• Sodium percarbonate (Oxygen bleach) 
• One quart of warm water
• Fresh cloth
• Vacuum cleaner
• Towel

Steps for Coffee Stain Removal

• Mix Oxygen, bleach and water together.
• Use a clean cloth to apply it to the stain and wait for 15 minutes.
• You can use white towels to soak it up and dry it naturally.
• Use a vacuum to clean the excess.

While on stain, should also check What to do Next when Spilled Milk on Laptop?

4. Blood Stains

Bloodstains can be quite difficult to remove, especially if they have dried up. Here is what you will need to remove the stain;

• Damp cloth
• Ice cubes
• Paper towels
• One-fourth teaspoon of mild liquid dish detergent
• One cup of cold water

Steps for Blood Stain Removal

• Use a wet cloth over the stain to keep it from drying.
• Keep ice cubes over the cloth to keep it damp.
• Mix Liquid detergent and water together.
• Use paper towels to blot the stain.
• Dip a clean piece of cloth in the mixture and blot the bloodstain.

5. Pet Saliva Stains

If your workspace has kids or pets around, they will likely drool on your chair and leave some saliva stains on fabric chairs. This bacteria-filled saliva can also leave your chair with a foul smell.

Here is what you will need to remove the stain;

• Dry paper towels
• One-quarter warm water
• Half tablespoon dish-washing detergent
• One tablespoon ammonia
• Enzyme pet odor neutralizer

Steps for Pet Saliva Stain Removal

• Use dry paper towels to blot the saliva if it is still wet.
• If the saliva has dried, use a damp paper towel and cover the stain.
• Mix water with dishwashing detergent and ammonia.
• Take a clean piece of cloth and use the mixture to clean it.
• Clean the stain with the cloth from the outer edges to the inside.
• Use more detergent if the stain remains.
• Dry it off with a dry cloth.
• You can also use an enzyme pet odor neutralizer as it helps to break the proteins in saliva and remove the stains.

 

Step 4: Routine Cleaning

You can use natural or household ingredients or store-purchased cleaners to clean your fabric chairs once every six months routinely.

Easy Steps to Clean White Leather Office Chairs

White Leather chairs look luxurious in your home office. However, you need to be very cautious in its maintenance and clean-up.

Especially because white leather can turn yellow over time, worsening with incorrect cleaning products.

Step 1: Debris Cleaning

You must keep your white leather chairs dust-free, or they can easily look worn out. Vacuum cleaners are a simple way to keep your chairs dust-free.

Use a brush attachment for cleaning the dust, as the bristles from the brush won’t scratch your chair.

Microfiber duster or cloth can also be used to dust your chair.

Related article: How to Keep Leather Office Chair Cool?

Step 2: Stain Removal

1. Dark-colored Stains

Paint, cosmetics, or chemical can leave a dark stain on your leather chairs.

Here is what you will need to remove the stain;

• Lemon juice and cream of tartar
• Wet sponge

Steps for Dark-colored Stain Removal

• Take an equal proportion of lemon juice and cream of tartar and rub it in the stain.
• Leave the stain for 10 minutes.
• Thinly apply the next layer of the mixture to the stain.
• Wipe the paste using a wet sponge.

2. Water Stains

To remove the water stains further, apply water on the stain, then dry it by blowing it dry.

You should never place leather furniture under sunlight to dry as it can cause the white to fade away.

3. Oil Stains

A sprinkle of baking soda or cornstarch on the stain will absorb all the oil. You should let it sit overnight on the stain.

Baby powder also works wonders on oil stains. Clean the powder using a brush or vacuum.

4. Ink Stains

Here is what you will need to remove the stain;

• Isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol
• Blow Dryer
• Olive oil or non-oily cuticle remover

Steps for Ink Stain Removal

• Blot the spot gently using rubbing alcohol.
• Dry it using a blow dryer.
• To prevent the leather from looking dull after it, use a thin layer of olive oil or non-oily cuticle remover over it.

5. Mold Stains

Mix one part of isopropyl alcohol and water to prepare a cleaning solution for molds and mildew.

Dip a cotton microfiber cloth into the solution and wipe the stain.

Step 3: Routine Cleaning

You must also clean your chair once every 3-6 months to keep the white from becoming dull.

The chair can be cleaned using an equal mixture of water and vinegar. It is better to use distilled water free of chemicals for leather chairs.

You can also use a leather cleaner. A clean rag should be dipped into the solution and wiped down the chair.

Here are some other things you can use for cleaning.

• Mr Clean Scrubber comes soaked in the cleaning solution and can be used effectively.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to reach the nooks and corners of the chair.
• OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder, can also be used for routine clean-up.

Easy Steps to Clean White Wooden Office Chairs

Whit wooden furniture need to be maintained with care as the wood itself needs a lot of care.

Furthermore, Wooden chairs need to be protected from sunlight and maintained not to discolor.

Step 1: Debris Cleaning

Regular dusting is required for white wooden furniture as dust accumulation makes it look worn out.

Wooden chairs need to be dusted at least once a week. Here are some tips on dusting them;

• Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe the dust off your chairs if you don’t want your chair scratched.
• Quickly wipe the water using a dry microfiber cloth if you use water for cleaning the dust.

Step 2: Stain Removal

Wood can stain very easily. You cant wash wooded chairs as easily as plastic chairs because wood can mold and rot when damp.

Step 4: Drying the Chair

Use a lint-free towel to wipe up after cleaning.

Ensure not to use a completely wet cloth or towel when cleaning your chairs, as moisture can harm the wood.

You might also like to check How to Arrange Furniture in a Small Home Office?

Easy Steps to Clean Other White Office Chairs

Plastic, Polyurethane, and Mesh chairs are popular nowadays for home offices. Continue reading to get the idea of cleaning white chairs made of other materials.

Tips for Cleaning White Plastic Chairs

• Mix 3/4 cup household bleach with two tablespoons of liquid dish soap in one-gallon hot water.
• Never use bleach directly on the plastic chairs or even leave it on for 10 minutes, as it can lead to permanent discoloration.
• Use a gentle washcloth or brush to clean the chairs. Harsh scrubbers can lead to scratches on the plastic.
• You can use Magic Eraser against stains and germs for a clean white chair. Apply it in circular motions.
• Use white vinegar for mold stains.

Tips for Cleaning White Mesh Chairs

• Dust, hair, and crumbs are likely trapped in the chair mesh. Use a handheld vacuum to clean it up.
• Hose attachment on your vacuum works well for the mesh fabric.
• Mix mild non-scented soap with lukewarm water to clean up any stains.
• Avoid using harsh scrubbers, as they can tear the mesh. Use microfiber towels or cloths only.

Keeping your chair, desk and workplace is essential to keep you safe and productive while working from home.

White-colored furniture is sensitive to cleaning and thus requires milder cleaning products with no harsh chemicals or white toothpaste.

It is to be noted that all white chairs are not cleaned the same way. The chair’s material also determines the cleanup method for the clean white chair.

You might be interested in; Are White Colored Desks Good For Home Office?