How to Clean Leather Office Chairs? 8 Easy Steps!

Do you own an elegant leather office chair and wondering how to maintain its shine and performance? You are at the right place as we are going to shed light on all the details of “How to Clean Leather Office Chairs?”

Start the process of cleaning the leather office chair by vacuuming its seat, backrest, and armrests. Next, wipe out its surface with a damp piece of cloth. For removing stubborn stains, make a soapy solution by mixing a mild detergent in water and then use it to clean the spots over your chair.

Allow the chair to dry out completely and then apply a leather conditioner or olive oil over its surface to retain its natural shine. To get rid of odour or smell, apply baking soda over the leather surface and allow it to settle for an hour or so before wiping or vacuuming it. Finally, sanitize the leather surface with a mild disinfectant and allow it to completely dry before using it again.

Table of Contents

How to Clean Leather Office Chairs

A leather office chair is a premium seating option that adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to any working space. However, it also needs proper maintenance and care so that it lasts long and performs well.

Cleaning a leather office chair is quite different from cleaning a traditional fibre or mesh chair. We aren’t saying that it is difficult and you can not perform it on your own, you just need to be a bit careful so that you don’t damage the surface of your leather chair.

Now let’s get into the details of the required materials and processes:

Materials Required

For cleaning a leather office chair, you need to have the following materials and tools:

Material	Use
Cleaning Clothes	To be used throughout the cleaning process from wiping the leather chair to applying conditioner over its surface and drying it. You can also use some old t-shirt for this purpose provided it is clean and soft.
Vaccum Cleaner	For removing dust and debris. If you don't have a vacuum cleaner, use a clean and dry piece of cloth for this purpose.
Warm Water	Required for making the soapy solution which would be used for removing stains and spots.
Mild Soap or Detergent	Needed for making the soapy solution which is to be used for getting rid of stubborn stains. You can also use dishwashing soap for this purpose.
Leather Conditioner	Applying conditioner over the leather surface after cleaning helps in retaining the natural oils of the leather.
Spray Bottle	Needed to fill the detergent mixed solution
Baking Soda	For deodorizing leather
Disinfectant	To sanitize the chair

Step 1: Determine the Type of Leather

In the first step, you have to determine the type of leather used in your chair so that you can direct the cleaning process accordingly. The type of leather can be found on the manufacturer’s tag present on the chair. It contains specific instructions and precautions for cleaning the chair.

If the tag does not contain any clear-out instructions, you can find them online provided you have the brand and product information. If you are still unable to determine the type of leather and the related instructions, it is safe to clean the leather with mild soap or detergent and water.

Step 2: Vacuum the Leather Office Chair

The process of cleaning a leather office chair starts with vacuuming its surface so that all the dust and debris is removed. Leather is more prone to attracting dust particles over its surface in contrast to other chair fabrics.

Vacuuming the chair at the first step saves your valuable energy and time and the rest of the cleaning process becomes easier for you. Make sure to use a soft brush attachment to remove the dust so that it does not damage the leather’s surface.

Step 3: Wipe the Leather Office Chair with a Damp Cloth

After vacuuming the leather, use a damp cloth to wipe its surface. Wiping helps in removing the left-out dust and debris from the chair’s surface. Dampen a soft and clean piece of cloth with water and wipe the seat, backrest, armrests, and even legs of the office chair with it.

Step 4: Clean the Stains or Spots from its Surface

If there are any spots or stains over the leather’s surface, you have to perform a deep clean to get rid of them. For this, make a soapy solution by mixing a mild soap or detergent in warm water and stirring it.

Immerse the cleaning cloth in this solution for a few minutes and rub it over the chair’s surface, especially on the areas that have marks and stains. Make sure to squeeze the cloth before rubbing it to the leather as excessive water can damage the leather’s surface.

You can also fill the soapy solution in a spray bottle and sprinkle it over the areas containing spots followed by cleaning it with a cleaning rag.

Wipe the Leather Office Chair with a Damp Cloth

Step 5: Apply Leather Conditioner

After cleaning the chair, it is vital to condition the leather’s surface to maintain its natural oils. Choose a good quality conditioner according to the type of leather used in your chair. You can also use olive oil for this purpose. Check out the Weiman Leather Cleaner and Conditioner for Furniture available on Amazon.

Apply a small amount of conditioner or oil on a dry cloth and rub it over the leather in a small circular motion so that it gets absorbed into it. Before applying the conditioner, make sure that the chair has completely dried out.

It is recommended to patch-test the conditioner before applying it directly over the leather’s surface. Also, avoid applying excessive oil on the chair as it may make it look greasy and oily.

Step 6: Deodorize the Leather Office Chair

The process of cleaning the leather office chair is incomplete unless you deodorise its surface. We all know that leather is the least breathable and hottest material to be used in the seat and backrest of office chairs. It absorbs an excessive amount of heat and

the person sitting on it sweats more than usual. Therefore, it is important to deodorize the leather office chair to get rid of any odour or moisture accumulated over its surface.

For deodorizing the leather’s surface, sprinkle some baking soda over it and allow it to settle for at least one hour. Afterwards, vacuum it from the chair’s surface and your chair would be smelling way nicer and better than before.

If you are curious that “why my office chair smells after sitting”, check out this article to find out the mystery behind it.

Also, here is “How to stop bum sweat on office chair”.

Step 7: Disinfect the Leather Office Chair

In the final step of cleaning a leather office chair, you have to disinfect it to get rid of any germs or bacteria. Apply a mild yet effective disinfectant on the cleaning cloth and wipe it thoroughly over the chair’s surface especially high-touch areas such as armrests, seat, and backrest. This step is necessary to ensure that your chair is protected from all sorts of germs and bacteria.

Step 8: Allow the Leather Office Chair to Dry Out

As you are done with the process of cleaning, use a dry and soft piece of cloth to gently wipe off any excess water or cleaning solution from the surface. After that, let the chair completely dry out in a well-ventilated area.

Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or excessive temperature as this may peel or fade the leather’s surface. Instead, allow it to dry naturally under normal airflow and temperature.

Tips for Cleaning the Leather Office Chair

Here are some tips that would be helpful for you while cleaning your leather office chair:

Dot uses alcohol or chemical-based cleaners as they might damage the leather by fading its colour or peeling the surface.
Avoid using coloured clothes as cleaning rags as their dyes may transfer to a chair and damage its appearance.
Use neutral colour clothes as cleaning pieces.
Allow the chair to completely dry out before using it again.
It is advisable to wipe your leather office chair once a week for the best results.

Bottom Line

In a nutshell, cleaning a leather office chair is not as arduous as it sounds to many people. You just need to be a little careful in the choice of materials and processes. It is always advisable to read the product instructions as it makes the process easier.

The basic cleaning process only includes vacuuming the leather and wiping it with a dampened piece of cloth. For deep cleaning, mix a few drops of soap in water and then wipe the leather’s surface. Still, if you are too busy or you don’t want to clean the chair due to any other reason, consult professional cleaning services to get the job done for you.

Hope our article has cleared all the queries and confusions from your mind regarding and you’re ready to clean your leather chair now.

FAQs

A leather chair should not be washed with water as it is highly sensitive to excessive moisture. Instead, clean it with mild cleaning and conditioning products to get rid of the stain and restore its luster.

Leather chairs can be cleaned by damping a piece of cloth in warm water and wiping it over the leather surface.

A little water won’t ruin the leather chair at all. You can dampen a piece of cloth in water and wipe it over the leather surface. However, using excessive water or trying to wash the chair with water would definitely make the leather stiff and brittle.

How to Clean Leather Office Chairs?