Congratulations! You’ve spent your hard earned dollars on Steelcase products to make your working life more comfortable.
But how do you keep them looking good over the long run? You’ll want to take the time to learn how to properly clean them so they can go the distance.
In addition to removing dirt and dust, you’ll want to also disinfect them – especially in the current times of a global pandemic!.
This article will cover how to clean and disinfect your Steelcase chairs or desks to keep them clean for years to come.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: Should you do both?
Is there a difference between cleaning and disinfecting? Actually, there is.
Cleaning only physically removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects using soap or detergent and water.
This does not kill germs per se, but it does lessen the risk of infection spreading. These pesky little things can still survive if not dealt with correctly and can start spreading.
Disinfecting actually kills germs and other harmful microorganisms via special chemicals (disinfectants).
To sanitize and kill germs on surfaces, disinfectants such as those registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be used. Make sure you use cleaning products that are both marked safe and effective to be used by people in their homes.
According to research findings, viruses remain active on absorbent materials for much shorter durations than on hard surfaces.
Cleaning and disinfecting play an important role in maintaining the appearance and safety of the use of your Steelcase merchandise.
How to Clean Hard Surfaces of Steelcase Chairs or Desks
The instructions listed below will be suitable for Steelcase desks and the hard surfaces of Steelcase chairs (like the armrests).
Here’s the step by step guide on how to clean the hard surfaces of your Steelcase chairs or desks:
- Choose a compound-type cleaner approved by the EPA to be robust against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and not harm the material finish (see some suggested options below). Choosing the wrong product may lead to damaging your Steelcase desk or chair’s finish.
- Lightly and equally spray hard surfaces.
- Dry the surfaces by wiping them with a clean cloth.
With so many brands available in the market, it’s hard to choose. So here’s a list of highly recommended cleaning brands that will not damage the surface of your Steelcase products [1]:
- Clorox Non-Bleach Disinfecting Wipes
- Fantastik All Purpose Spray Cleaner
- Formula 409 Disinfecting Spray
- Lysol All Purpose Spray Cleaner
- Lysol Disinfecting Wipes
If all of these products are not available in your area, you are advised to combine one-part dishwashing soap and sixteen-parts water and use that as a substitute.
How to Clean Soft Surfaces of Steelcase Chairs or Desks
Unless your disinfectant is specifically approved for your chair fabric type, you should avoid using disinfectants on your fabrics. Disinfectants can damage most fabrics [2].
You can, however, opt to give the fabrics in your chair a deep clean.
Note that according to the New England Journal of medicine, viruses stay active on porous materials like fabric for a much shorter time than on nonporous (i.e. hard) services [3].
Additionally, soft surfaces like fabrics are commonly used on lower-touch surfaces. Therefore, it’s worth asking yourself whether deep cleaning the fabrics of your chair is necessary.
If you are interested in deep cleaning the fabrics in your chair, follow these steps:
- In a spray bottle, combine one-part dishwashing soap and sixteen-parts water.
- Lightly and evenly spray soft surfaces until damp. The spray should be adequate to cover the surface without soaking through.
- Give it a minute or two before using a wet/dry vacuum to remove all moisture from the surface.
- Let it dry. If there’s still soap residue, moisten with clean water, then get rid of the water using a wet vacuum until the soap is gone.
It is best to keep in mind that cleaning should be done gently to avoid damaging your chair.
If you’re a visual learner and want to watch the official guide made by Steelcase on how to clean your Steelcase products, watch this video:
There you go! Cleaning is not always front of mind, but is an important part of keeping your chair or desk in good shape overtime.
I hope you found this article helpful and happy cleaning!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to use bleach when cleaning my chair or desk?
No, unless your material is specifically approved for cleaning with bleach. See this page here and filter for “bleach cleanable” for bleach approved materials.
How do I clean the electronic components in my height adjustable desk?
To clean electronic components, wipe gently with a disinfectant cloth that has been sprayed with cleaning solution [2]. Do not spray the cleaning solution directly onto the electronic component.
References
[1] https://www.steelcase.com/cleaning-steelcase-products/#how-to-sanitize-your-steelcase-products
[2] https://www.steelcase.com/cleaning-steelcase-products/#how-to-sanitize-your-steelcase-products
[3] https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmc2004973