How to clean office chair smell?

Major Smell-causing Factors

It will be more helpful for us to remove smell if we first understand the major sources of smell.

Sweat

Sweat, one of the major smell-causing factors contains bacteria that thrive in moist and warm environments. When we sit on a chair for an extended period, sweat accumulates on the fabric or padding of the chair. Such bacteria produce a foul-smelling odor. Over time, if the sweat is not cleaned off the chair, the odor can become more intense and persistent.

Spills

Spills have been found the second major smell-causing element. The liquid or food seeps into the fabric or padding of the chair, causing bacteria to grow and resulting in an unpleasant odor. Further, the sticky residues of spills attract dirt and bacteria, leading to further odor problems.

Dust

It contains dirt, dead skin cells, and other particles that accumulate on the chair. Accumulation of these particles produces a musty odor that can become more noticeable as time passes. If not cleaned, the dust will attract moisture, which can lead to the growth of bacteria and mold, resulting in an even more unpleasant smell.

Lack of Ventilation

The lack of ventilation can cause the buildup of stale air, moisture, and bacteria in a room, leading to the accumulation of unpleasant odors. This can be especially noticeable in chairs, which can absorb and trap these odors over time.

Mold/Mildew Growth

Being a type of fungi, mold, and mildew lives in warm and damp conditions. Whenever a chair has been exposed to moisture such as spills or high humidity, mold, and mildew will grow up on the chair’s fabric/padding, causing an unpleasant smell.

Pet Hairs

Pet hairs trap and hold onto odor-causing particles such as dirt, dust, and bacteria. If a pet has been sitting on the chair, its hair can shed and stick to the fabric or padding, creating an unpleasant smell.

Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke can make an office chair smell because it contains tar and other chemicals that can penetrate the fabric or padding of the chair and become trapped there.

Things to Consider before any Treatment

Before applying any methods,  we strongly suggest you to please follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid any potential damage to your chair. 

Before using any chemical on your chair, always test it on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric. Unlike other upholsteries, take special care while cleaning the leather upholstery.

To know how to clean dining room chairs, click here. Most chairs come with the following codes.

• S: Solvent Clean, or Dry Clean
• W: Wet or Water 
• SW: Both Solvent and Water Clean
• X: Safe Clean or Professional Cleaning.

Apply one or more of the following steps to remove any type of office chair smell.

1. Place the Chair in the Sunlight

• Take the chair outside and place it in a sunny area. Make sure to choose a spot that is exposed to direct sunlight for several hours.
• Leave the chair in the sun for at least 2-3 hours. This allows the UV rays to naturally disinfect and deodorize the chair.
• Flip the chair over and leave it in the sun for an additional 2-3 hours. This will ensure that both sides of the chair get exposed to the sun.
• After several hours of exposure, bring the chair back inside and wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth.
• Note: If the chair still smells, you may need to use additional methods such as baking soda or vinegar.

2. Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning greatly helps in removing chair smell by preventing the buildup of sweat, spills, dust, and other particles that can cause odors. Wiping down the chair with a damp cloth or using an upholstery cleaner efficiently removes the dirt and debris that has accumulated on the chair. This prevents the buildup of odor-causing substances. Regular cleaning helps maintain the chair’s appearance, making it look and smell fresh and clean.

3. Baking Soda

Sprinkle baking soda over the chair. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the chair where the odor is coming from.

Allow the baking soda to sit for at least 15-20 minutes. This will give the baking soda enough time to absorb the odors.

Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off the baking soda from the chair. Make sure to remove all traces of baking soda from the chair.

If the odor still presents, repeat the process.

4. Using Detergents

Mix a small amount of laundry detergent with warm water in a bowl or bucket. You can also use a detergent specifically designed for upholstery if you prefer.

Dip a clean cloth into the detergent solution and wring it out so that it’s damp but not soaking wet.

Use the damp cloth to wipe down the entire surface of the chair, focusing on any areas with particularly strong odors.

Allow the detergent solution to sit on the chair for a few minutes to help break down any stains or odors.

Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the detergent solution and any dirt or grime.

Repeat the process as necessary until the odor has been completely eliminated.

Allow the chair to dry completely. You can speed up the drying process by placing a fan near the chair or opening a window.

5. Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal works as a natural odor absorber and can be used to remove chair smell.

Purchase activated charcoal bags or sachets. You can find them at home improvement or grocery stores.

Place the activated charcoal bag on the affected area of the chair. Use more bags in case the smell is coming from multiple areas of the chair.

Leave the charcoal sachet on the chair for at least 24 hours. During this time, it will absorb the odors from the chair.

Remove the charcoal bag from the chair and dispose of it properly.

If the odor still persists, repeat the process.

6. Vinegar

1. Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the solution generously over the entire surface of the chair, focusing on the more smelly areas.
3. Let the solution sit for at least 10-15 minutes to allow the vinegar to penetrate and neutralize any odors.
4. Wipe down the chair with a clean, damp cloth to remove any excess vinegar solution.
5. Allow the chair to air dry completely before using it again.

7. Steam Cleaning

1. Rent or purchase a steam cleaner.
2. Fill the steam cleaner with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Turn on the steam cleaner and allow it to heat up for several minutes.
4. Place the steam cleaner on the affected area of the chair and slowly move it back and forth. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the chair where the odor is coming from.
5. Continue to steam clean the chair until all of the stains and odors have been removed. You may need to use multiple passes to achieve the desired result.
6. After steam cleaning the chair, allow it to dry completely. You can speed up the drying process by placing a fan near the chair or opening a window.

8. Enzyme Cleaner

1. Purchase an enzyme cleaner specifically designed for upholstery. These can be found at most pet stores or online retailers.
2. Blot up any excess liquid or debris from the affected area of the chair.
3. Spray the enzyme cleaner directly onto the affected area, making sure to saturate it thoroughly.
4. Allow the cleaner to sit for at least 10-15 minutes. This will give the enzymes time to break down the organic matter causing the odor.
5. After the cleaner has sat for the appropriate amount of time, blot up any excess liquid with a clean cloth.
6. Allow the chair to dry completely. You can speed up the drying process by placing a fan near the chair or opening a window.

9. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Solution

1. Mix equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the solution directly onto the affected area of the chair, making sure to saturate it thoroughly.
3. Allow the solution to sit for at least 15-20 minutes. This will give the hydrogen peroxide time to kill any mold or mildew spores causing the odor.
4. After the solution has sat for the appropriate amount of time, wipe the area clean with a damp cloth.
5. Repeat the process as necessary until the odor has been completely eliminated.
6. Allow the chair to dry completely. You can speed up the drying process by placing a fan near the chair or opening a window.

Note: Hydrogen peroxide can sometimes bleach certain fabrics, so it’s important to test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the chair before using it on the entire surface. Additionally, make sure to wear gloves and protect your eyes while using hydrogen peroxide, as it can be irritating to the skin and eyes.ly a good quality dry cleaning solvent to a clean towel.

10. Dry Cleaning Solvent

• Purchase a dry cleaning solvent specifically designed for upholstery. These can be found at most home goods stores or online retailers.
• Test the solvent on a small, inconspicuous area of the chair to make sure that it won’t cause any damage or discoloration.
• Apply the solvent to the affected area of the chair, following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Use a clean, dry cloth to blot up any excess solvent.
• Allow the chair to dry completely. You can speed up the drying process by placing a fan near the chair or opening a window.

Repeat the process as necessary until the odor has been completely eliminated.

11. Citrus-based Cleaners

Citrus-based cleaners are an effective and natural way to remove chair smells caused by sweat, body odor, and other organic substances.

1. Purchase a citrus-based cleaner specifically designed for upholstery. 
2. Test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area of the chair to make sure that it won’t cause any damage or discoloration.
3. Apply the cleaner to the affected area of the chair, following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
4. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the cleaner and any dirt or grime.
5. Repeat the process as necessary until the odor has been completely eliminated.
6. Allow the chair to dry completely. You can speed up the drying process by placing a fan near the chair or opening a window.

Note: Citrus-based cleaners are generally safe for most types of upholstery, but it’s still better to test them on a small area first.

12. Fabric Softener Sheets

1. Purchase a box of fabric softener sheets from your local store.
2. Wipe down the entire surface of the chair with a dry cloth to remove any loose dirt or debris.
3. Take one or two fabric softener sheets and rub them over the entire surface of the chair, focusing on any areas with particularly strong odors.
4. Leave the fabric softener sheets on the chair for several hours or overnight, allowing them to absorb the odor.
5. Remove the fabric softener sheets from the chair and dispose of them.
6. Wipe down the chair with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue from the fabric softener sheets.
7. Allow the chair to dry completely.

13. Commercial Odor-eliminating Sprays

1. Purchase an odor-eliminating spray from your local or online store.
2. Shake the spray bottle well to make sure the ingredients are well-mixed.
3. Spray the solution evenly over the entire surface of the chair, especially on any parts with strong odors.
4. Allow the solution to sit on the chair for a few minutes to help break down any stains or odors.
5. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the solution and any dirt or grime.
6. Repeat the process as necessary until the odor has been completely eliminated.
7. Allow the chair to dry completely.

14. Fabric Refreshers

Spray the chair: Hold the fabric refresher spray about six inches away from the chair, and spray it evenly over the surface. Make sure to cover all areas of the chair, including the backrest, seat, and arms.

Let it dry: Allow the fabric refresher spray to dry completely before using the chair again. Depending on the product, this may take a few minutes to a few hours.

Repeat as needed: If the smell persists, you can repeat the process as needed until the odor is completely eliminated.

15. Replace the Chair Padding

We suggest replacing the chair padding if the odor is particularly strong and other methods have failed. This involves removing the old padding and replacing it with new foam or stuffing. While it may be more time-consuming and expensive than other methods, it is the most effective way to completely eliminate the odor and restore the chair to a like-new condition.

16. Professional Cleaning

Professional cleaning helps to remove the chair smell by deep cleaning the chair. It utilizes specialized equipment, and solutions, pre-treating stains to completely eliminate the odor.

Conclusion

The mentioned methods remove the smell and are not meant to mask it.

FAQs

Why does my office chair smell bad?

The main factors that cause unpleasant odors include poor ventilation, the buildup of sweat, body odor, spills and stains, the growth of mold and mildew, and the accumulation of pet hair and dander. If regular cleaning is not carried out, any of these substances can accumulate and eventually lead to the production of unpleasant smells.

How do you deep clean a fabric office chair?

Vacuum the chair to remove loose dirt and dust. Then, use a fabric cleaner or a mixture of water and mild detergent to scrub the chair thoroughly. Rinse the fabric with a damp cloth and let it dry completely before using it again.

What is the best homemade odor eliminator?

A mixture of white vinegar and baking soda is one of the best homemade odor eliminators. To make it, mix 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the affected area and let it sit for a few hours before wiping it clean.