How Do You Dry a Wet Office Chair?

When it comes to office chairs, there’s one enemy that you must protect it from at all costs: moisture.

Getting your office chair wet can cause damage to its materials if not addressed quickly. It can cause components to rot, warp, and even develop molds — which wouldn’t be healthy or pleasing to look at for anyone.

So, how do you dry a wet office chair?

And are there ways to prevent it from getting wet in the first place?

We discuss all that (and more) in the sections below. Scroll on for more helpful information about drying and caring for your office chair.

What happens to an office chair if it gets wet?

Depending on the type and model of your office chair, your equipment can suffer pretty heavy damages if it gets wet. Most office chairs are made of absorbent materials that retain water. This water can cause components in the office chair to deteriorate or rot, which can shorten the lifespan of your office chair.

The simplest and best way to prevent damages from affecting your office chair is to address the issue IMMEDIATELY after it happens. This means sopping up any spills with a sponge or napkin and making sure your office chair dries well.

Can you dry an office chair?

The question shouldn’t be, can you dry an office chair but should you dry it.

Yes, there may be some instances when it will be best to dispose of an office chair. For example, if your chair was included in a flood or was contaminated by a harmful substance, it would be best to get rid of it and not attempt to clean and dry it.

On the flip side, if the water source is clean, there shouldn’t be any issues with you drying it, following the steps below.

How to clean and dry office chairs after getting wet

Step 1: Wipe the office chair dry with a clean towel or sponge

As soon as a spill happens, make sure to wipe away the liquids immediately to stop your office chair from absorbing the substances. You can use a clean towel, rag, or sponge.

If the spill has caused a stain, don’t rub or scrub the affected area. This might only make the situation worse.

Instead, follow this guide on how to clean a stained office chair.

Step 2: Remove dirt and debris

If the spill has caused dirt and debris to accumulate on the office chair surface, remove these using a vacuum cleaner. Otherwise, you can use your hands to remove the remaining particles.

Make sure to use a pair of protective gloves to avoid contamination.

Step 3: Bring your office chair to a secure and dry place

Move your office chair to a dry and well-ventilated area in your office or home. Once there, you can use a high-volume fan or dehumidifier to start drying your furniture. Try to keep your office chair tilted backward to ensure its base and cushions also dry well.

If you have access to a rooftop or an open space, you can leave your office chair under the sun to dry.

Step 4: Deodorize your furniture

Sometimes, wet cushions and fabric coverings can take on an unappealing musty smell, which can stick to clothes and other surfaces. You can remove this smell by deodorizing your office chair.

Baking soda is a great tool to use when removing odors from fabrics and upholstery. Sprinkle the baking soda on the office chair surface. Once all areas are covered, take your vacuum and suck up all the powder to remove the smell.

Depending on how strong the smell is, you may have to repeat this step a couple of times before it works.

How long will it take for my office chair to dry fully?

The amount of time it takes for an office chair to completely dry depends on how bad the spill is. For larger spills, wherein your office chair cushion has been thoroughly soaked, it may take a day or two before the water evaporates.

In other cases, for less severe spills, it may take anywhere between a couple of hours to one day to make sure all of the water has dried up.

How do I remove white water stains?

Sometimes water stains can leave behind white spots that aren’t great to look at. Luckily, these stains aren’t permanent and can easily be removed using the right tools.

Here’s what you will need:

• Distilled water
• Vinegar
• Clean towel or rag
• Hairdryer

The white spots you see from water stains are the excess minerals leftover after the evaporation process. This is why it’s important to use distilled water as opposed to purified or filtered water.

These are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Combine 1:1 vinegar and distilled water in a container.

Step 2: Take your clean towel or rag and dampen it with the solution. Wring out any extra liquids to prevent it from dripping onto other surfaces.

Step 3: Start blotting the affected area with the dampened towel. Don’t rub the fabric as the pressure can cause the material to wear.

Step 4: Check the fabric to see if the stain has been removed. If it has, take your hairdryer and start drying the spot at the lowest setting.

How to prevent office chairs from getting wet?

If you foresee spills becoming an unavoidable part of your work, buying a waterproof office chair cover is a great option. This will shield your office chair from substances like water, juice, coffee, and other beverages. The only downside is, these covers don’t always look “aesthetically pleasing.”

So, be careful which products you choose.

The bottom line

When your office chair gets wet, it could harm the integrity and design of your chair. Making sure you clean and dry it well helps prevent damages that could shorten the life expectancy of your chair.

We hope the tips above help you solve your office chair problems.