How to Clean Upholstered Chairs | Fabric, Office & Dining Chairs

Upholstered chairs can collect dust, body oils, hair, food crumbs, drink marks, odours and everyday buildup from regular use.

This can happen with fabric chairs, office chairs, desk chairs, dining chairs, reception chairs, boardroom chairs, waiting-room chairs, occasional chairs and other upholstered seating. Even when a chair does not look very dirty, the fabric can start to feel dull, stale or less fresh over time.

The safest way to clean upholstered chairs depends on the chair type, fabric type, colour, age, stain type, level of soiling and whether the chair has already been treated with home remedies or cleaning products.

Light dust, crumbs and loose debris may be handled with careful vacuuming. More noticeable stains, smells, body oil buildup, dull fabric or dirty office chair cushions may need deeper cleaning or professional upholstery cleaning.

If your upholstered chairs need professional cleaning, you can start with CleanLab SA’s upholstery cleaning for fabric chairs, couches and carpets page or choose your nearest local carpet and upholstery cleaning page.

What are upholstered chairs?

Upholstered chairs are chairs covered with fabric, textile, padding or another soft seating material.

This may include:

• fabric chairs
• office chairs
• desk chairs
• computer chairs
• ergonomic chairs
• dining chairs
• boardroom chairs
• reception chairs
• waiting-room chairs
• occasional chairs
• armchairs
• bedroom chairs
• staff-room chairs
• school chairs
• church seating
• hotel chairs
• guesthouse chairs
• conference chairs
• showroom chairs

Upholstered chairs are part of the wider upholstery-cleaning category because the seating surface is covered in fabric or another soft material.

If you are unsure what falls under upholstery, you can also read CleanLab SA’s guide on what upholstery cleaning includes.

Are upholstered chairs and fabric chairs the same thing?

They are closely related, but not always exactly the same.

A fabric chair is usually a chair covered in textile fabric.

An upholstered chair is a broader term. It usually means the chair has a padded or covered seating surface, often with fabric, but sometimes with other materials.

For this guide, the focus is mainly on fabric upholstered chairs, including office chairs, dining chairs, reception chairs, boardroom chairs and other fabric-covered seating.

Leather chairs need a different cleaning approach and should not be treated the same way as fabric upholstery.

Why upholstered chairs get dirty over time

Upholstered chairs are used repeatedly, often in the same spots every day.

Over time, they can collect:

• dust
• hair
• lint
• food crumbs
• drink marks
• sweat
• body oils
• skin particles
• pet hair
• odours
• makeup residue
• hand oils
• shoe marks near chair bases
• general fabric buildup

Office chairs and desk chairs often collect body oils, sweat, dust, food crumbs and drink marks from daily work use.

Dining chairs often collect food spills, sauce marks, drink spills, crumbs, children’s mess and everyday household buildup.

Reception and waiting-room chairs may collect dust, body oils, hair, clothing fibres and marks from regular visitor use.

This is why upholstered chairs can start to look dull, smell stale or feel less fresh even when they are vacuumed occasionally.

How to clean upholstered chairs safely

For light cleaning, the safest first step is usually to remove dry debris before adding any moisture.

A basic upholstered chair cleaning process may include:

1. Remove loose items from the chair.
2. Vacuum the seat, backrest, seams and corners.
3. Use a soft brush attachment if suitable.
4. Check the fabric care label if available.
5. Test any cleaning method on a hidden area first.
6. Avoid soaking the fabric.
7. Blot marks gently rather than scrubbing aggressively.
8. Allow the chair to dry properly with good airflow.
9. Avoid sitting on the chair until it is fully dry.

This approach is suitable for light dust, crumbs and minor surface freshness.

It may not be enough for older stains, body oil buildup, odours, drink spills, food residue, dirty office chair cushions or heavily used chairs.

Start by vacuuming the chair properly

Vacuuming is the safest first step for most upholstered chairs.

Focus on:

• seat cushions
• backrests
• seams
• corners
• edges
• gaps between fabric panels
• the area where the backrest meets the seat
• underneath loose cushions where applicable
• armrests if they are fabric-covered

Use a clean upholstery attachment where possible.

This helps remove dust, crumbs, hair, lint and loose debris before moisture is added.

Adding water or cleaning solution before removing loose debris can make some marks worse by turning dust and crumbs into residue.

Check the upholstery fabric before using any chair cleaner

Not all upholstered chairs can be cleaned the same way.

Different upholstery fabrics react differently to water, heat, rubbing, solvents and cleaning products.

Before using any fabric chair cleaner, consider:

• fabric type
• fabric colour
• chair age
• whether the fabric is delicate
• whether the chair has a care label
• whether the chair has already been cleaned before
• whether any home remedies were already used
• whether the mark is fresh or old
• whether the fabric is likely to shrink, fade or watermark

If the fabric is delicate, expensive, old, dark, bright-coloured, patterned or unknown, it is safer to be cautious.

A small hidden test area is better than applying a product across the whole chair and discovering later that it affects the colour or texture.

Can you spot clean upholstered chairs?

You can spot clean some upholstered chairs, but it should be done carefully.

For minor fresh marks, you can usually:

• blot the mark with a clean cloth
• avoid rubbing aggressively
• work from the outside of the mark inward
• use only a small amount of moisture
• avoid soaking the chair
• allow the area to dry fully
• test products first on a hidden section

The goal is to lift the mark without pushing it deeper into the fabric.

Scrubbing too hard can damage fibres, spread the mark or make the fabric look fuzzy.

Too much water can also cause watermarks, slow drying, odours or moisture deeper inside the chair padding.

How to remove stains from upholstered chairs

Stains on upholstered chairs should be treated carefully because the wrong method can make them harder to remove.

Common upholstered chair stains include:

• coffee
• tea
• juice
• wine
• sauce
• oil
• food marks
• makeup
• sweat marks
• body oil marks
• dirt marks
• pet marks

For fresh stains:

1. Remove any loose material gently.
2. Blot the stain with a clean dry cloth.
3. Avoid rubbing the stain deeper into the fabric.
4. Use minimal moisture.
5. Test any cleaning solution on a hidden area first.
6. Allow the area to dry properly.

Old stains may not always come out fully, especially if the stain has affected the fabric colour or has already been treated with unsuitable products.

Professional upholstery cleaning may improve many common stains, but results depend on the fabric type, stain type, stain age and previous cleaning attempts.

How to clean fabric chair stains without making them worse

The biggest mistake with fabric chair stains is using too much moisture or scrubbing too aggressively.

When cleaning fabric chair stains, avoid:

• soaking the fabric
• rubbing in circles aggressively
• using bleach
• mixing cleaning products
• using too much soap
• adding vinegar without testing
• applying baking soda to damp fabric without caution
• using heat on unknown fabric
• sitting on the chair before it is dry

A stain may look simple on the surface, but the padding underneath can hold moisture.

If the chair is very wet after cleaning, it may take longer to dry and could start to smell stale or musty.

How to clean a fabric office chair

Office chair cleaning is often needed because office chairs are used for long hours every day.

Fabric office chairs can collect:

• sweat
• body oils
• dust
• hair
• lint
• food crumbs
• coffee marks
• tea marks
• drink spills
• odours
• hand oils on armrests
• buildup from daily use

To clean a fabric office chair safely:

1. Remove loose items from the chair.
2. Vacuum the seat, backrest, armrests and seams.
3. Check the care label if available.
4. Spot clean small marks carefully.
5. Avoid soaking the office chair cushion.
6. Dry the chair properly before use.
7. Arrange professional upholstery cleaning if the chair smells stale, looks dull or has deeper buildup.

Office chairs with thick seat cushions can hold moisture, so drying is important.

If many office chairs need cleaning, it may be practical to arrange office chair cleaning together with office carpet and upholstery cleaning.

How to clean a desk chair

A desk chair is usually cleaned in a similar way to an office chair.

To clean a desk chair:

• vacuum the seat and backrest
• clean dust from seams and corners
• remove crumbs and hair
• check the fabric type
• spot clean small marks carefully
• avoid soaking the cushion
• clean the wheels and base separately
• allow the chair to dry before sitting on it

Desk chairs often become dirty around the seat cushion, lower back area, armrests and wheels.

If the desk chair is used daily, it may collect sweat, body oils, dust, food crumbs and drink marks faster than occasional seating.

How to wash an office chair

Many people search for how to wash an office chair, but it is important not to treat a fabric office chair like clothing.

Most office chairs should not be soaked, rinsed heavily or washed with large amounts of water.

A safer approach is usually:

• vacuum first
• spot clean only where needed
• use minimal moisture
• avoid soaking the cushion
• remove residue carefully
• dry with good airflow
• avoid using the chair until it is fully dry

If the office chair needs a deeper clean, professional upholstery cleaning may be safer than trying to wash the full chair at home.

This is especially true for thick office chair cushions, older chairs, unknown fabrics, mesh chairs, chairs with odours, or chairs with body oil buildup.

How to clean an office chair cushion

Office chair cushions often collect the most buildup because they are used directly every day.

They may hold:

• sweat
• body oils
• dust
• crumbs
• hair
• lint
• drink marks
• food residue
• odours

To clean an office chair cushion:

1. Vacuum the cushion thoroughly.
2. Pay attention to seams and edges.
3. Blot fresh marks gently.
4. Use minimal moisture.
5. Avoid soaking the cushion.
6. Allow it to dry fully before use.

The cushion padding can hold moisture even when the surface fabric feels dry.

If the office chair cushion smells, feels stale or has older body oil marks, surface cleaning may not be enough.

How to remove smell from an office chair

Office chairs can smell stale because they are used for long periods and can collect sweat, body oils, food residue, dust and moisture.

To reduce office chair smell:

• vacuum the chair thoroughly
• improve airflow around the chair
• avoid sitting on the chair while damp
• avoid spraying heavy fragrance onto the fabric
• avoid soaking the chair
• clean food or drink marks quickly
• consider professional upholstery cleaning if the smell remains

Sprays and powders may cover the smell temporarily, but they may not remove the cause.

If the office chair smells musty, sour or damp, be careful about adding more moisture. The chair may need proper drying or professional assessment.

How to clean office chair wheels

Office chair wheels can collect hair, dust, lint and debris.

Dirty office chair wheels can also mark carpets or make the chair roll poorly.

To clean office chair wheels:

1. Turn the chair carefully if safe to do so.
2. Remove visible hair and lint from the wheels.
3. Use a small brush or cloth to remove debris.
4. Wipe the wheel surface.
5. Check for trapped hair around the axle.
6. Let the wheels dry before placing the chair back on carpet.

Be careful not to damage the chair or force the wheels if they do not come apart easily.

Office chair wheels are not upholstery, but they matter because dirty wheels can transfer debris back onto carpeted office areas.

How to clean hair from office chair wheels

Hair can wrap around office chair wheels and make them look dirty or move poorly.

To remove hair from chair wheels:

• pull loose hair away by hand where possible
• use tweezers for trapped hair
• use a small brush for lint and dust
• avoid cutting too close to the wheel if using scissors
• wipe the wheel after removing debris
• check all wheels before placing the chair back

If the chair is used on carpet, cleaning the wheels can help reduce repeated debris transfer onto the carpet.

This is especially useful in offices with long hair, pets at home, dusty floors, or heavy daily chair movement.

How to clean a mesh office chair

Mesh office chairs need a slightly different approach from padded fabric office chairs.

Mesh can collect:

• dust
• lint
• hair
• crumbs
• body oils
• drink marks
• odours

To clean a mesh office chair:

1. Vacuum the mesh gently.
2. Use a soft brush attachment if suitable.
3. Avoid pressing too hard on the mesh.
4. Spot clean carefully.
5. Avoid soaking the mesh or padding.
6. Dry with good airflow.

Mesh can be delicate, and some mesh chairs have padding underneath or around the seat.

Avoid harsh scrubbing because it can stretch or damage the mesh.

How to clean a leather office chair

Leather office chairs should not be cleaned the same way as fabric upholstered chairs.

Leather may need a different cleaning and conditioning approach, depending on whether it is genuine leather, bonded leather, faux leather or another material.

For leather office chairs:

• avoid soaking
• avoid harsh chemicals
• avoid aggressive scrubbing
• use products suitable for leather
• test first in a hidden area
• wipe gently
• dry properly

If you need leather cleaning, use a method suitable for leather rather than fabric upholstery.

CleanLab SA’s carpet and upholstery category may include related soft-furnishing services, but leather should be treated differently from fabric chairs.

How to clean upholstered dining chairs

Dining chairs often collect different types of marks from office chairs.

Fabric dining chairs may collect:

• food crumbs
• sauce marks
• drink spills
• body oils
• children’s mess
• pet hair
• dust
• hand marks
• general household buildup

To clean upholstered dining chairs:

1. Vacuum crumbs and dust first.
2. Check the fabric type.
3. Blot fresh spills quickly.
4. Avoid rubbing food marks deeper into the fabric.
5. Use minimal moisture.
6. Test any cleaning method first.
7. Allow the chair to dry fully before use.

Dining chairs are often used around food, so stains can become harder to remove if they are left too long.

Professional upholstery cleaning may be useful when several chairs need cleaning at once or when the fabric has built-up marks and odours.

How to clean reception, waiting-room and boardroom chairs

Reception, waiting-room and boardroom chairs are important because they affect how a business feels to visitors.

These chairs may collect:

• dust
• body oils
• hair
• lint
• clothing fibres
• coffee marks
• food crumbs
• stale odours
• general visitor-use buildup

Customer-facing chairs should be checked regularly because even light dullness can affect the impression of the space.

For businesses, it may be useful to clean reception chairs, boardroom chairs and waiting-room seating together with carpets, especially if the office is being refreshed before inspections, meetings, events or busy periods.

How to clean body oils from upholstered chairs

Body oils are common on chairs used every day.

They may appear as:

• darker patches
• dull fabric
• shiny areas
• stale smell
• marks on seat cushions
• marks on backrests
• marks on armrests

Body oils can be difficult to remove with simple vacuuming because they are not just loose dust.

They may need suitable cleaning products, controlled moisture, extraction and proper drying.

Professional upholstery cleaning may help with body oil buildup, but results depend on the fabric type, age, level of use and how long the buildup has been present.

How to clean food and drink marks from upholstered chairs

Food and drink marks should be handled as soon as possible.

For fresh spills:

• blot immediately
• avoid rubbing
• remove loose food gently
• use a clean cloth
• avoid spreading the mark
• use minimal moisture
• test before using any cleaning product

Coffee, tea, juice, sauces, oils and coloured drinks can be difficult to remove once they settle into fabric.

Old stains may not always come out fully, especially if the fabric has been treated before or if the stain has changed the fibre colour.

Professional upholstery cleaning may improve many common marks, but results cannot be guaranteed for every stain.

Can you use dishwashing liquid on upholstered chairs?

A small amount of mild cleaning solution may help with some light marks, but dishwashing liquid should be used carefully.

Too much soap can leave residue in the fabric. Residue can attract more dirt and make the chair feel sticky or dull over time.

If using a mild solution:

• use very little product
• test first
• avoid soaking
• blot gently
• remove residue with a clean damp cloth
• dry the area properly
• avoid using it on delicate or unknown fabrics

If the chair is valuable, delicate, heavily marked or smells stale, professional upholstery cleaning may be safer than trying to fix it with household products.

Can you use baking soda on upholstered chairs?

Baking soda is often suggested for upholstered chairs, especially for odours, but it is not suitable for every situation.

Dry baking soda may help absorb some light smells on certain fabrics, but it can also:

• leave powder in the fabric
• become difficult to vacuum out
• stick to damp areas
• leave residue
• clog vacuum filters
• fail to treat the real cause of the smell
• make later professional cleaning more difficult

Be especially careful with baking soda if the chair is damp, delicate, dark-coloured, textured or already treated with another product.

If an upholstered chair smells stale or musty, the cause may be body oils, moisture, food residue, old spills, or buildup inside the fabric and padding. Baking soda may mask or reduce some smell temporarily, but it may not remove the source.

Can you use vinegar on upholstered chairs?

Vinegar is another common home remedy, but it should not be used on every upholstered chair.

Vinegar can sometimes affect colour, leave its own smell, react with residues, or create watermarks if used incorrectly.

It may also add moisture to a chair that already needs proper drying.

Be careful using vinegar on:

• wool or natural fibres
• delicate fabrics
• dark fabrics
• bright-coloured fabrics
• patterned upholstery
• old chairs
• unknown fabric types
• chairs with previous cleaning-product residue
• chairs with padding that may hold moisture

If you are unsure, test first or avoid using vinegar altogether.

How to dry upholstered chairs after cleaning

Drying is one of the most important parts of upholstered chair cleaning.

After cleaning, improve drying by:

• opening windows where safe
• using fans
• improving airflow
• keeping the room ventilated
• avoiding use until fully dry
• avoiding damp rooms
• not placing damp chairs tightly together
• not putting cushions back too soon if removable

Upholstered chairs can hold moisture in the padding.

If the outside fabric feels dry but the padding is still damp, the chair may develop odours or take longer to freshen properly.

Good airflow helps reduce this risk.

When should upholstered chairs be professionally cleaned?

Professional upholstery cleaning may be useful when:

• chairs smell stale
• chairs look dull
• chairs have drink marks
• chairs have food marks
• chairs have body oil buildup
• several chairs need cleaning
• office chairs are used daily
• desk chairs have dirty cushions
• reception seating affects customer impressions
• dining chairs have repeated food marks
• DIY cleaning has not worked
• the fabric is unknown or delicate
• the chair has built-up residue
• you want to clean chairs together with carpets or couches

Professional cleaning is especially useful when the chair needs more than surface vacuuming.

A technician can consider the fabric type, condition, marks, level of use and drying requirements before choosing a suitable approach.

Can all upholstered chairs be cleaned?

Many upholstered chairs can be cleaned, but not every chair responds the same way.

Results depend on:

• fabric type
• fabric colour
• chair age
• stain age
• type of mark
• level of soiling
• padding condition
• previous cleaning attempts
• whether the fabric is delicate
• whether there is permanent fibre damage
• whether the stain has caused colour change

Cleaning can improve freshness, appearance and common marks, but it may not always make old or heavily stained chairs look brand new.

This is why it is better to avoid harsh promises and allow the technician to assess what is realistic.

Should upholstered chairs be cleaned with carpets and couches?

Yes, it can be practical to clean upholstered chairs together with carpets, rugs, couches or other upholstered furniture.

This may be useful for:

• offices
• boardrooms
• reception areas
• waiting rooms
• dining rooms
• guesthouses
• lodges
• hotels
• churches
• schools
• rental properties
• managed properties
• homes with several upholstered items

Cleaning multiple fabric items in one appointment can help refresh the space more efficiently.

For example, an office may choose to clean carpets, office chairs, boardroom chairs and reception seating together.

A home may choose to clean carpets, couches, dining chairs and rugs together.

Office chair cleaning services near me

People often search for office chair cleaning services near me when several office chairs, desk chairs, reception chairs or boardroom chairs need cleaning.

This is usually different from cleaning one chair at home. Businesses may need help with:

• multiple office chairs
• boardroom seating
• reception chairs
• waiting-room chairs
• staff chairs
• office carpets
• related upholstery cleaning
• timing around staff and visitors
• drying time
• access and parking
• cleaning after hours or during quiet periods

CleanLab SA helps customers arrange carpet and upholstery cleaning across major South African areas, including fabric chairs and other upholstered items where available.

For business customers, this related guide may also help: how often office carpets should be cleaned.

Why professional upholstery cleaning is better than guessing

Professional upholstery cleaning is useful because different fabrics and marks need different approaches.

A technician can consider:

• fabric type
• chair construction
• stain type
• odour type
• body oil buildup
• fabric colour
• age and condition
• previous cleaning attempts
• drying time
• whether extraction is suitable
• whether a gentler method is needed

This matters because the wrong home remedy can create new problems.

Too much moisture, strong chemicals, vinegar, excess soap, powders or aggressive scrubbing can leave residue, affect colour, damage fibres or make the chair harder to clean later.

Professional cleaning does not guarantee every mark will disappear, but it gives the chair a better chance of being cleaned safely and appropriately.

Why book upholstered chair cleaning through CleanLab SA?

Booking through CleanLab SA gives customers a structured way to arrange carpet and upholstery cleaning in South Africa.

CleanLab SA’s listed professionals are reviewed by customers and expected to meet clear standards. Customers can view available options, compare booking details and get support from booking to completion.

This can be useful for customers who want to clean upholstered chairs along with carpets, couches, rugs, office chairs, dining chairs or other upholstered furniture.

Customers may need help with:

• selecting the right service
• understanding what is included
• preparing chairs before cleaning
• clarifying fabric concerns
• arranging suitable timing
• managing expectations around drying
• understanding what may or may not improve
• booking related carpet or upholstery cleaning

The value is in the full booking structure:

• reviewed listed professionals
• clear standards to remain listed
• customer review visibility during booking
• support from booking to completion
• a practical way to arrange upholstery cleaning
• local booking options across major South African areas

You can also learn more from CleanLab SA’s Booking Protection and Professional Standards pages.

Find fabric chair and upholstery cleaning in your area

If your upholstered chairs need professional cleaning, you can start with CleanLab SA’s fabric chair, carpet and upholstery cleaning page.

Main city pages include:

• Cape Town carpet and upholstery cleaners
• Durban carpet and upholstery cleaning
• Johannesburg carpet and upholstery cleaners
• Pretoria carpet and upholstery cleaning services
• Randburg carpet and upholstery cleaners
• Sandton carpet and upholstery cleaners

You can also browse the wider cleaning services hub or explore available cleaning service locations.

Final answer: how do you clean upholstered chairs?

To clean upholstered chairs, start by removing loose debris and vacuuming the seat, backrest, seams and corners. Check the fabric label if available, test any cleaning method on a hidden area first, avoid soaking the fabric, blot marks gently, and allow the chair to dry fully with good airflow.

For office chair cleaning, pay special attention to the seat cushion, backrest, armrests, seams and wheels. Desk chairs and computer chairs often collect sweat, body oils, dust, food crumbs, drink marks and odours from daily use.

Light surface dirt may be handled with careful vacuuming and spot cleaning, but deeper stains, stale smells, body oil buildup, dirty office chair cushions or multiple upholstered chairs may need professional upholstery cleaning.

Avoid harsh scrubbing, bleach, excess soap, too much water, vinegar or baking soda unless you are sure the fabric can handle it. The wrong cleaning method can leave residue, affect colour, create watermarks or make the chair harder to clean later.

For professional help, review CleanLab SA’s upholstery cleaning for fabric chairs, couches and carpets page and use Get Rates & Availability to view prices, select your location and secure your booking.