Mesh chairs are comfortable and highly breathable chairs. They allow air to flow from beneath keeping you cool over time. So even if you seat for a longer period you won’t sweat, unlike other office chairs fabric.
In short mesh office chairs are really comfortable for working around the desk. Though mesh chairs don’t ask for regular maintenance you should clean a mesh chair regularly in order to avoid clogging pf its pores unless the breathability of the chair reduces.
But how do you clean a mesh chair? Let’s get into various ways to clean mesh chairs.
12 Easy Ways to Clean a Mesh Chair
Here are some traditional and innovative ways to clean a mesh chair using products found at home and also using products from the local hardware store.
1. Using a Steam Cleaner
Tools You Need- Steam Cleaner, One towel/Cloth
If you have a really dirty mesh chair then use a steam cleaner to get rid of the dirt. Use the steam cleaner on the mesh chair to spread it all throughout, this will loosen any dirt or tough stains seating on the chair.
Run the pressure steam once again to make sure all dirt is gone from the chair.
The chair may feel damp after performing that step so allow it to dry for 1-2 hours in a ventilated space. When it is totally dried it is ready for use.
2. Hose it with Water
Some offices like a construction sites, sports offices, outdoor offices, offices close to the main road often get dirty easily. The office chairs need cleaning and maintenance from time to time.
To clean mesh chairs from these offices you need to take them outdoor and use a water hose.
Tools You need for this Step- Water Hose, Soap/Shampoo Water, 2 Cloths
Take the mesh chair outdoors and use the hose to water it from the top side(not from under as it may damage the mechanical parts).
Hose it completely with water and use a cloth dipped in the soap/shampoo water and run it around the chair. If you see a tough stain still sticking to the chair surface give it a little force with your fingers to take it out.
Let it soak in the soapy water for 10-15 minutes and then hose it again to rinse the chair. Once all soapy water is rinsed thoroughly, use the other cloth to soak any water on the chair. Allow the wet chair to dry for a good 3-4 hours in the sun. This will dry the wet chair and help reduce any smell.
3. Using a Vacuum Cleaner
For most regular office setups a vacuum cleaner is a good tool for cleaning any chair.
Tools you need to perform this step- a Vacuum Cleaner, Cloth/Sponge, Soapy water
The first step is to vacuum clean the office chair. Once it is done use a sponge or cloth dipped in soapy water to foam the entire chair. Rub the back and seat part with gentle pressure to let the dirt seating come out.
If you see some tough stains like tea or coffee mark which won’t go so easily use warm water. Always use a mild detergent for this procedure. Then allow the chair to seat for a while soaking in the soap water.
Use a second cloth to wipe any soap water from the chair. Let the chair dry in a place where there is enough air. Reuse when it’s completely dry(no dampness).
4. Canned Air
Canned air or compressed air is another cool way to knock the dust off your mesh chair. If you don’t know what is canned air then Canned air is an aluminum can with compressed gas used for cleaning dirt/dust off laptops, computers, air vents, ac vents, and many other things.
Aim the canned air nozzle towards the dirty area and give it a few short bursts of air. This will lose the dirt seating and kick the dirt seating on the chair. You can also use a cloth to put away any seating dirt that is just loose.
5. Rag It
One of the basic steps to cleaning a mesh chair is to use a rag to put away any dust. A rag is a small piece of old cloth usually part of a larger cloth that is used for cleaning or dusting things. This is most common in every household and you can use it to clean your mesh chair.
6. Using Solvent Solution
Tough stains like oil and grease are hard to clean from the surface of a chair. You need a strong solvent solution like acetone which can clean these kinds of tough stains.
These oily substances are not soluble in water or soap water but soluble in strong solvents. So if your chair has messy products sticking then use a strong solvent solution to clean them.
7. Scouring with Liquor
Using liquor for scouring the mesh chair to remove stains. Scouring is the process of cleaning stains like oil, wax, tea marks, coffee stains, and gum from the fabric of the chair.
Pour a few drops of liquor on small cotton balls and rub them against the tough stains to remove them Some stains are very tough to go so use gentle pressure while rubbing.
8. Using Various Cleaning Sprays
If you want some fast and better results then you can use cleaning sprays that are available in the hardware stores. These multipurpose cleaners, multi-surface cleaning sprays, or car upholstery cleaners are very good when dealing with chair stains.
But use them only when there are tough stains that are difficult to clean with soap and water. Use the spray to dissolve the stains and then wipe with a clean cloth.
9. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a known stain remover and the best part of using baking soda is that it removes bad odor. Take baking soda in a bowl and mix it with water and make a solution.
Apply this solution on stains and areas where bad odor is coming. Let it sit for a while and clean with a dry cloth.
10. Duster
Using a Swiffer duster to remove all sitting dirt on the chair is a good idea. Swiffer dusters are made up of tiny polyester fibers and these fibers are able to pick the tiniest pieces of dirt from the chair using the static cling.
This way every corner of the mesh chair is cleaned which can not be reached with a cloth.
11. Using Vinegar
Vinegar is found in every home and it is one of the most used natural cleaners for many things. Vinegar is acidic in nature and due to its acidity lumps, stains, and junk build-ups are easily cleaned with vinegar solution. You can use vinegar to clean any fabric, metal products, and more.
To make a solution mix vinegar and water in exact proportion. Use this spray on areas like tea, coffee stains, glue marks, gums, and wax stains sticking to the chair’s surface. Let the solution work for 5-10 minutes and then wipe with a cloth9use pressure if required).
12. Ammonia Cleaner
You were doing an office party and wine fell on your mesh chair or you were eating your lunch at the desk and some food spilled on the chair, what would you do in this situation?
Because wine and vegetable oil stains are very hard to clear. Ammonia cleaner is a savior if you want to clear wine stains and vegetable oil stains from the chair.
Ammonia cleaner is available in the market and you can use it to clean the mess. If you want to make the solution at home then take 1 tablespoon of clear ammonia with 1-2 cups of water or 500 ml of water.
Make a solution and spray it on the affected area. Ammonia is a very good glass clean as it evaporates quickly.
How do you maintain a mesh chair?
Maintaining a mesh chair does not require too much effort but due to the nature of the fabric, it is essential to take some precautions and habits to keep your mesh chair clean. Here are they
- Dust it with a Swiffer duster every week to not let any dirt or dust from sitting in the fabric.
- Avoid using harsh detergents or bleaches as they can ruin the mesh fabric on the chair.
- Stop eating on your mesh chair.
- Avoid wine, tea, or coffee spills on your chair.
- Use the chair on its recommended flooring type like carpet or hard floor.
How do you clean a smelly mesh chair?
There are a few methods that can remove the bad smell or odor coming from your mesh chair.
- Use baking soda mixed with water and spray it all over the mesh chair and wipe clean with a towel. Baking soda or sodium carbonate has very good odor retaining power which eliminates bad smells from the chair. Be sure to dry the chair before starting reusing it.
- Use white distilled vinegar with water to make a solution (Take equal parts). Apply the solution to the chair and let it soak for a few minutes. Wipe clean with a dry cloth. Let the chair dry well before reusing it.
How to clean crayons out of a mesh office chair?
If you are struggling to get rid of the crayon marks from your mesh office chair then follow this step-by-step guide on how to do it. Crayons are made up of waxes such as paraffin and cleaning waxes is not easy(at least from a mesh chair).
Tools required for this process- Paper Towels, Iron, Soft Rag, Hair Dryer
Step 1-
For this step, you need paper towels and an Iron you use to press clothes at home. Use your iron on the area where crayon marks are there on your mesh chair.
Set your iron to the minimum heat settings like Nylon(135° C or 275 F) because wax melts at 130-200 F in most cases. So we don’t want to heat it too much but apply a little heat so that it starts to melt.
Use the iron for not more than 5-10 seconds on the affected area and remove it. Now take the paper towel and wipe out the crayon marks on the chair.
Step 2-
If you don’t like to use the Iron on your chair then the next best option is to use your hairdryer on the crayon mark on your chair and apply it for not more than 10-15 seconds.
Use a soft rag to remove the crayon marks as heat will melt the core of the wax and the stickiness loosens up. Follow this step until all crayon marks are removed from your favorite mesh chair.
