Gaming is a highly enjoyable and immersive experience that can have you sitting in your gaming chair for hours on end. That being the case, gaming chairs tend to get dirty and grimy quite quickly, requiring thorough and frequent cleaning.
However, gaming chairs don’t come cheap, and so the process of keeping them in tip-top condition needs to be followed closely. Otherwise, you may end up damaging your investment. Lucky for you, we’re here to help.
In this step-by-step guide, we shed light on how to clean a gaming chair without damaging it. From vacuuming and wiping down the covers to scrubbing the casters, we cover the entire process.
1. Consider Your Chair’s Upholstery
Gaming chairs come in many shapes and sizes. The construction of one gaming chair may differ significantly from that of another gaming chair. So, before you begin the cleaning process, you have to determine the materials from which your chair is built, paying close attention to the upholstery.
To elaborate, the vast majority of gaming chairs are upholstered with genuine leather, faux leather, PVC leather, PU leather, mesh, or fabric. So, the way you go about cleaning PU leather will differ from the way you clean mesh or fabric. And the wrong approach can cost you your chair, which is why it’s vital to verify your chair upholstery before you start cleaning.
Having verified the fabric upholstery, your next step is to check your chair’s accessories—armrests, wheelbase, cup holders, casters, and the likes.
With most gaming chairs, these accessories are made from plastic. There are, however, premium models that make use of stainless steel accessories. Both plastic and stainless steel are easy to clean, but they require different cleaning materials.
2. Vacuum or Dust the Chair’s Surface
Next, you want to start vacuuming or dusting your chair’s upholstery, depending on the material. And you don’t need to use a damp cloth, water or any type of cleaning solvent to carry out this step. All you need is a vacuum cleaner or a simple duster.
If your chair’s upholstery is made out of PVC or PU leather, you’ll need to use a duster. If you don’t have a duster, you can use a microfiber rag. Then, start wiping the chair’s surface.
Dusting a PU/PVC leather chair should be an easy process. That’s because the static properties of your duster/rag will attract the dust and debris on your chair, sparing you from exerting any real effort.
Otherwise, if the upholstery is made out of mesh or fabric, you’ll need to use a vacuum cleaner. Mesh and fabric are absolvent materials, meaning that they collect a lot of dirt, dust, and debris in their fibers, rendering dusters and rags useless.
With mesh and fabric, we recommend using a handheld vacuum, as it can quickly get into tight, hard-to-reach corners. And if you own a pet cat or dog, you probably already have a handheld vacuum.
Suppose you don’t have a handheld vacuum. In that case, we recommend opting for a battery-powered model so that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of finding a power outlet and being restricted by the length of the vacuum’s cable.
Now that you have your handheld vacuum cleaner, use the brush attachment to pick up the tiny particles deeply embedded within the mesh/fabric fibers. Also, avoid pushing down too hard on your chair so that you don’t damage it. Regardless of your chair’s upholstery, the process of vacuuming/dusting your chair’s surface should be carried out every week.
3. Start Deep-Cleaning the Upholstery
No gaming chair is safe from coffee spills and pizza sauce. So, with all of the surface-lingering dust and debris removed, it’s time to get rid of those tough stains and spills that are making your precious gaming chair look bad.
Note that this step is a bit more demanding than the previous step. Luckily, though, you don’t have to do it as frequently; once a month should be enough. Also, some sweat stains may have lingered too long to be entirely removed. However, you should at least be able to get them to fade or blend.
To start deep-cleaning your chair, first look at the cleaning directions that are on the chair’s tag. Cleaning directions are typically labeled as “W,” “S,” or “S/W.”
Firstly, the label “W” indicates that you should only clean the chair with water. Secondly, the label “S” suggests that using a cleaning solvent is favorable. Thirdly, if there’s a “S/W”, you can use water and solvent, separately or combined.
Based on your chair’s cleaning directions, start the deep-cleaning process with either water or solvent. We recommend starting with solvent even if you have a “W” chair. Just keep the amount of solvent at a minimum or mix it with water if you do have a “W” chair. This way, you won’t end up damaging the upholstery.
Next, start rubbing the liquid using a sponge or a soft rag. Your rubbing should be gentle. Otherwise, vigorous rubbing can result in faded colors and damaged material. This is especially the case with PU/PVC leather chairs.
If you’re dealing with fabric, feel free to rub more vigorously. On the other hand, mesh chair shouldn’t be rubbed or scrubbed at all. Instead, it would be best if you tried to blot it with as little force as possible.
4. Spot-Clean Any Persistent Stain
If you’re still dealing with stains even after deep cleaning, spot cleaning should be your next step. For spot cleaning, you’re going to need rubbing alcohol and some cotton.
We recommend testing whether or not your chair’s upholstery will hold up against rubbing alcohol by applying a few drops on the underside of the chair. Since it’s out of sight, if it gets slightly damaged, no one will see it.
If the alcohol doesn’t cause any damage, then you can start rubbing those persistent stains. Again, be extremely gentle with your rubbing, especially if you’re dealing with mesh. Also, don’t apply too much alcohol. A few drops should do.
5. Start Cleaning the Rest of the Chair
Now that the upholstery is thoroughly cleaned, it’s time to pay attention to the rest of your gaming chair, from the frame and wheelbase to the armrests. Don’t attempt to clean the casters just yet.
Also, you don’t need any fancy tools to get through this step. All you need is a soft sponge, a bowl of warm water, and a mild detergent. If you don’t have a sponge, you can use a damp microfiber cloth.
Merely mix some of the detergent with the water in the bowl Dip the sponge/cloth in it, then start wiping the rest of your gaming chair. Make sure to dry every component with a dry cloth or some paper towel after you’re done wiping them.
6. Clean the Chair’s Casters
The only part of your gaming chair that’s left to clean is the casters. They aren’t the easiest to clean, seeing as they collect a lot of hair and debris, but don’t let this stop you from cleaning them.
To clean your chair’s casters, you’re going to need to turn it over. Then, you should grab your handheld vacuum, equip it with the crevice attachment, and start cleaning the casters.
Having removed all the dirt and debris within your casters’ crevices, grab a soft sponge or a microfiber cloth and apply a surface cleaner or some rubbing alcohol. Then, start wiping the exterior of the casters to remove any dirt stuck to them. And that’s about it. Your gaming chair should be sparkling by now!
Tip: Before you turn the chair over, make sure all the screws are perfectly tightened. If you come across any loose screws, be sure to retighten them before using the chair. Also, if your chair is constantly squeaking and making annoying noises, consider applying a lubricant like WD-40.
Final Thoughts
Now that your gaming chair is squeaky clean, you should try to keep it that way for as long as you can for an elevated gaming experience
Dedicated gamers pay attention – here are a few maintenance tips that will help keep your gaming chair in tip-top condition until it’s time for another thorough cleaning session. If you spill anything on your chair, make sure to gently wipe it immediately so that you won’t have to deal with stubborn stains.
And if your chair’s upholstery is made out of leather, whether it’s real or faux, consider applying a leather conditioner on a weekly basis. Finally, make sure your gaming chair isn’t near any window, as direct sunlight exposure can result in faded colors.
I'm specifically keen on console games, and I'd challenge you to a Mario Kart rally any time!
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