Every chair requires some tender loving care, otherwise they could end up looking tired and dirty or in some extreme cases the fabric can even wear through.

Follow the MACOI guide to easily refresh your workplace seating by removing unwanted stains or marks, and to enhance the appearance and life of your furniture.

By vacuuming your seating regularly you will remove dust and grit which can become ground in and cause unnecessary damage to the fabric.

Spilt your morning coffee? Dab fresh stains immediately using kitchen roll or a clean white damp cloth to soak up the liquid and use a branded supermarket upholstery cleaner to clean the remainder of the stain.

For dried-in stains, vacuum then rub gently with a clean white damp cloth. If the chair is still marked we recommend using a branded upholstery cleaner from the supermarket and following the instructions on the packet.

Pen marks are annoying but a regular occurrence in the office, clean with surgical spirit or nail varnish remover, then wash using washing-up liquid or hand-wash diluted in lukewarm water.

For lipstick or nail varnish accidents, clean with surgical spirit or nail varnish remover, then wash using washing-up liquid and lukewarm water.

Note: Be careful when using organic solvents such as nail varnish remover, surgical spirit or turpentine, as they can dissolve upholstery foams and plastics. (Try them on an unseen area first).

Wool Upholstery

A wool upholstery fabric naturally retains its shape over time. Wool will repel dust and dirt and will provide a natural stain resistance as spillages penetrate the fibre surface only very slowly. The cleaning recommendation for wool-based upholstery is to vacuum regularly and shampoo/dry clean if required. Be careful not to over-wet wool as it can cause shrinkage or appearance changes. Never apply bleach, ammonia, alkali or strong acids.

Synthetic Upholstery

Polyester, polypropylene, and nylon are all types of synthetic fabrics. The main difference compared to wool is that they behave like plastic in that the fibres are all non-absorbent to liquid and moisture. This means that liquid spills and stains remain on the surface of the fibre rather than penetrating deeper within. Non-absorbent synthetics will not prevent liquid from passing through the fabric to the foam. Synthetic upholstery will need more regular cleaning than wool, as its static charge attracts dust and dirt which, if not removed, can cause a build-up of dirt on the surface of the fabric.

Information provided is courtesy of Camira Fabrics.

Tags: Fabric, Seating, Maintenance