When you invest in an office chair backed by a long warranty, you must do your part to maintain the chair. If you don't, you could be repairing or replacing it sooner than you'd like, or even worse, you could void your warranty.
Maintaining your office chair properly will prolong its life, ensure maximum comfort, and save you money in the long and short run. Below are five of the most important steps you can take to maintain your office chair – and other office furniture.
Keep it clean
You probably don't want another chore to add to your weekly to-do list, but it's important to clean your office chair regularly. Wipe down surfaces once a week to remove dust and debris. This prevents the upholstery and frame from getting scratched, torn or damaged.
Vacuum with a soft-bristled attachment when necessary. Use mild cleaners to prevent stains and remove dirt. Always consult your manufacturer for their recommended cleaning products and methods.
If you have a leather office chair, apply conditioner twice a year to prevent cracking, maintain softness, and protect it from daily use.
Clean and green: When maintaining your office furniture, use eco-friendly cleaners to help your company meet its sustainability targets.
Inspect and tighten components
Every month, check your office chair's screws and bolts. Tighten any loose parts to keep your chair in the most stable condition. If you assembled the chair yourself, you'll know where all the bolts and screws are. If you didn't, check your manufacturer's assembly instructions to see where all the connections are.
Regularly check that your armrests are functioning properly. Also, inspect the castors to make sure they are not loose or jammed.
If you're the office manager, encourage employees to check their chairs regularly and report issues straight away to avoid unnecessary damage.
Lubricate moving parts
If necessary — and if your office chair manufacturer suggests — use a lubricating oil on moving parts, such as the castors, wheels, tilt and recline mechanisms, to keep everything working smoothly and eliminate any squeaks and stiffness.
Correct adjustment
Every so often, check your chair is adjusted correctly. Setting it up correctly, according to your height and preferences, will ensure even weight distribution. In turn, this will prevent strain on the chair and upholstery. It also keeps your body comfortable and supported at all times. Ensure that you or others do not misuse the chair by leaning back too far or using it as a stepping stool.
Handle with care
A quality desk chair can be an expensive purchase. To extend the life of your office chair, handle it with care. Whether you're moving it around the office or keeping it in storage, it's important to handle it gently.
Take care to avoid excessive sunlight to prevent fading and material wearing; avoid harsh chemicals to prolong the lifespan of the materials; and avoid sitting on it incorrectly so as not to stretch any parts out of position.
The environmental impact of caring for your office chair
Would you believe us if we told you that maintaining your office chair helps to maintain the planet? When you take care of your office chair, it will last longer. Each year, in the UK, there are already 22 million pieces of furniture sent to landfill⁽¹⁾. Keeping your office chair and other furniture in good condition prolongs their lifespan and keeps them away from landfills. The planet is happy, and so is your wallet.
If you do not care for your office chair and you instead need to buy a new one, the carbon footprint of that purchase alone is, on average, 72 kgCO₂e⁽²⁾. We have more information on the environmental impact of buying new office furniture here if you'd like to learn more reasons why you should consider maintaining, repairing, and replacing your products sustainably.
If your company has sustainability targets, encouraging employees to take care of their office chairs will help extend the product lifecycle and meet those targets.
When it's time to repair or replace
Even with proper maintenance, things can still go wrong with your office chair. That's why we're here. At Loopspace, we make it possible to extend the life of your office chair in any situation. We offer quality and certified replacement parts for a range of office chair brands, including Herman Miller, Haworth, Suscom, Knoll and more.
Whether you need new armpads, castors, tilt buttons, headrests, or gas cylinders, we've got you covered. We want to help you prolong the life cycle of your office furniture for as long as possible, ensuring you save money and meet your sustainability targets while putting the planet first.
In the case that your office chair cannot be repaired, we also offer excellent refurbished ergonomic office chairs so that you can choose a more eco-friendly solution when upgrading your office space.
Create a sustainable office with Loopspace
Small efforts contribute to a more sustainable office. Even simply wiping down your office chair every week and checking for loose connections can keep your chair in good condition for the long term, reducing wear and tear.
If you're aiming for a sustainable working environment, caring for your office furniture is an excellent first step. It will prolong the lifespan of your office chair, diverting it from landfill and saving you money.
Regular maintenance will also help you notice when things need to be repaired before it's too late. At Loopspace, we offer a range of office chair replacement parts so you can keep the comfort and support of your favourite chair while keeping the planet happy.
