If you invest in a good gaming chair, you need to clean it regularly to maintain it in the best possible condition. Many gamers often complain that their chair gets dirty easily. So, trust us if you end up complaining about this issue – You are not alone.
Some of the reasons why gaming chairs get dirty quicker than usual is because of dust stuck in the mesh, dirt on fabric, and spillage. If you don’t clean them regularly, the chair may become breeding grounds for dirt, dust, and germs. This may sometimes lead to hiring a professional for deep cleaning.
To avoid all these problems, we’ve created this step-by-step guide on how to clean a gaming chair based on the type of material.
Let’s get started.
Instructions on How to Efficiently Clean your Gaming Chair
Step 1 : Identify the Upholstery of your Gaming Chair
The type of upholstery you have will determine the cleaning method of your gaming chair. Generally, there are four main types of upholstery,
- PU leather
- Mesh
- Fabric
- PVC leather
You can find this information either on the chair label, the manufacturer’s instructions or on the product listing websites such as Amazon.
Step 2 – Vacuum or Dust the Upholstery of your Gaming Chair
Once you have figured out the upholstery, you can start off by either vacuuming or dusting the upholstery of your chair. Here are the cleaning tips based on different types of upholstery,
- PU leather : Use a vacuum to remove the dust ingrained in the material
- Mesh : Run a regular vacuum
- Fabric : Use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner
- PVC leather : Just dust with a thick microfiber cloth
Keep in mind that you should either vacuum or dust your gaming chair at least once a week.
Step 3 – Use Water or Solvent Solution to Clean the Upholstery
Before you use water or solvent to remove the spills or stains, you need to check the tag of your chair to find out the appropriate solution to use. Here are the common marks that are seen on gaming chairs,
- S’ mark : Use a dry solvent-based solution
- W’ mark : Use water-based solvent
- WS’ mark : Use either water or solvent-based solution
- X’ mark : Professional cleaning required
For W and WS marks, add a few drops of liquid dish detergent in a bucket of lukewarm water. Carefully brush the surface with a soft-bristled brush. Make sure to soak the areas evenly. Be careful, excess moisture may cause the fabric to discolor. Once this is done, again clean the surface with a clean damp cloth. Allow it to completely air dry before you use the chair. Don’t use heating equipment such as hair dryers as it may shrink the fabric.
For S marks, you need to buy a safe dry cleaning solvent. Or you can find it in home drying kits such as DRYEL which will be easily available in any grocery store. Once you purchase the solvent, add it on a fresh towel and clean the area. The piece must completely dry before you use it.
Step 4 : Only if There Are Tough Stains on the Upholstery
If there are tough stains even after following step 3, you need to do spot cleaning. You can purchase a spot cleaner based on your upholstery or a DIY method.
A simple DIY method is to take a small cotton ball and add few drops of alcohol. Do a patch test by rubbing it on the underside of your chair. Leave it for a few mins and check for damages. If there are none, gently rub on the affected area. Apply it 3 times to see if the stains come off. If the spot is still there, you need to get professional help.
Step 5 : Clean the Armrest, Base, and Frame
Now that your upholstery is clean, you need to clean the rest of your chair.
In a bowl, take some warm water and mix it with mild detergent. Grab a sponge or cloth and clean the armrest, base, and frame. Next, you have to dry them with either a paper towel or a clean cloth.
Step 6 : Fix Loose Screws and Clean the Casters
This is the last step in the cleaning process of a gaming chair. Unfortunately, this is a tiresome part as hair and debris get tangled here.
To clean these areas, you need to turn the chair upside down. Take your vacuum and clean the inside. Next, use a surface cleaner to remove the dirt from the outside. To clean the narrow parts of the casters, take a cotton ball and dab it with some alcohol and clean the crevice.
See if there are any loose screws and tighten them. If your chair makes any squeaking noise, you can apply a lubricant.
In Conclusion
Apart from cleaning your gaming chair, you need to maintain it properly so it will be in a good shape. Here are some tips to do that,
- Keep your pets away from the chair to avoid scratches
- Place the chair away from the window as direct sunlight may damage your upholstery
- Place a towel to avoid sweat stains
- Apply a leather conditioner weekly if the chair is made of real or imitation leather
- Immediately wipe spills to avoid stains
Follow the steps mentioned in our article to clean your gaming chair properly. Now that your chair is perfectly clean, you can sit back and relax a long game of Fortnite.
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