What to Do If Your Chair Is Making You Uncomfortable at Work

If you feel discomfort in your back, neck, or legs while you work, your office chair may be to blame.

Good chair ergonomics are hugely important when it comes to your comfort level at work, but this can seem difficult to achieve because every person has different needs when it comes to keeping his or her body in the correct position as they sit. Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution to office chairs, ergonomic chairs that feature a range of adjustments come close.

Each individual needs different support from their ergonomic chair. While most office chairs allow seat height adjustment, you may need additional features, including lumbar support, a headrest, adjustable back height, or even a knee-tilt adjustment.

Remember, although a good ergonomic chair will make a big difference in your comfort level at work, we also recommend incorporating a standing desk into your workspace. Sitting all day, even when well supported, is not good for the body.

Ergonomics

The Complete Guide to Office Chair Cleaning

You use the chairs in your office every day, and they’re bound to get dirty even if you’re careful. To ensure your chairs look their best year after year, take these tips for the regular cleaning and maintenance of all upholstery types.

General Chair Care

Always test cleaning techniques on an inconspicuous spot first. Try the bottom of the chair, the back, or anywhere else that doesn’t show. Make sure you test an unseen spot before you try a new cleaning method on the whole chair. Even if you only use a mild soap, you never know how certain substances might react with your specific chair. Testing a hidden spot first will ensure you don’t damage an important part of the furniture.

Remove stains immediately. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. Do yourself a favor and clean it up now.

Beware of breathing in harsh chemicals. If using a cleaning agent that has a strong scent or chemical smell, only clean in a well-ventilated area.

Always check your chair for a tag with cleaning instructions. Most office chairs have a tag under the seat that outlines care tips. Look there first before beginning any cleaning.

How to Clean Office Chairs

Fabric upholstery can usually be cleaned using water-based cleaning agents or water-free solvents. First, vacuum any crumbs that may be hiding in cracks and crevasses. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner handy, use a can of compressed air. Next, mix a few drops of mild soap in a bucket of water. Using a soft, lint-free cloth, wipe this on your test spot first. If it looks good, wipe down the entire chair, then use a second lint-free cloth to wipe it dry.

Genuine leather upholstery can be cleaned in 1 of 3 ways: store-bought leather cleaner, vinegar and linseed oil, or rubbing alcohol and water. For a more detailed description of how to clean and maintain a leather office chair, read our guide to cleaning and maintaining leather furniture here.

Faux leather and vinyl are easier to care for than real leather. In many cases, you can clean faux leather and vinyl using water-based cleaners in the same manner as fabric upholstery, and many vinyl options can even be cleaned with bleach solutions. Double-check the tag on your chair for any special instructions to avoid damage. Read our guide to leather upholstery to learn more.

Mesh chairs should be vacuumed regularly, as crumbs tend to get caught in the little spaces. Any remaining dirt or stains can be removed using a damp cloth, but do not drag the cloth across the mesh, as this can cause the material to fray. Instead, dab any problem areas until clean.

Plastic chairs can be cleaned with soap and water, but avoid using bleach, which can damage the material. For stains, dampen a soft cloth with white distilled vinegar and wipe. Baking soda on a wet sponge can also create a mild abrasive that eats away stains without damaging your plastic.

Wood chairs need cleaning too! Regularly wipe down your wood chairs with a dry lint-free cloth. For deeper cleaning, choose a wood polish and apply it to the chair in small amounts using a cloth. Like with your upholstery, you’ll want to test your polish on an inconspicuous area before going over the entire piece of furniture.

Metal chairs are relatively maintenance-free and can be wiped down with a damp cloth with or without mild soap.

The Complete Guide to Office Chairs

Looking for a new office chair for your desk? With so many options, it can be tough to know what to choose. Use our comprehensive guide to office chairs to help you narrow down your options and decide which chair is best for your needs.

Type

Computer chairs are the most basic of the bunch. Computer chair is an overarching term encompassing several types of desk chair, including ergonomic chairs and armless chairs. Any chair you use at a computer desk could, in theory, be considered a computer chair. Computer chairs or desk chairs on NBF.com typically feature very few ergonomic adjustments.

Executive chairs are upgraded versions of computer chairs that usually feature a high back and stately design. The most distinguishing feature of an executive chair is the presence of a headrest, whether built-in or detachable. The higher back and headrest of an executive chair give it a more impressive look befitting for corner executive offices, hence the name executive chair or manager’s chair.

Ergonomic chairs feature multiple ergonomic adjustments that enable users to easily find their ideal seated position by adjusting the chair accordingly. Ergonomic chairs are commonly recommended for task seating as they can conform to a wide range of body types and user needs.

Drafting stools are ideal for standing height workstations as they allow the user to easily switch between sitting and standing. Most drafting stools come with very few ergonomic adjustments, but all are height adjustable and have a much greater height range than computer chairs.

24-hour task chairs are, as the name implies, designed to be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These heavy-duty seating options are reinforced to withstand constant use, making them ideal for applications such as military bases and 24-hour call centers.

Kneel chairs are ergonomic seating solutions designed to put the user upright by encouraging a kneel-like posture. Kneel chairs were especially prominent before active seating options gained popularity, but they’re quickly being replaced by ball chairs and other active sitting solutions.

Active seating is taking the world by storm. With new research confirming that a sedentary office lifestyle leads to increased health issues, standing desks are becoming more popular. However, you can take steps to make even the process of sitting healthier by incorporating active sitting. Active seating includes the ever-popular ball chair and newer, more unique solutions such as leaning chairs. These chairs and stools force the user to balance while seated, providing comfort while allowing the user to burn energy and stay active by fidgeting.

Upholstery

Fabric upholstery is a woven material that helps give furniture a homelike look and feel. Fabric is available in many colors and patterns and is a popular choice for most office settings.

Genuine leather upholstery is either full grain or top grain genuine cowhide. Full grain leather is kept as close to its natural state as possible to show its grains and natural imperfections. Top grain leather is the most common type of genuine leather upholstery—it’s thinner and more flexible than full grain leather. Top grain leather is also sanded to remove imperfections, giving it a more polished look.

Faux leather and vinyl upholstery are manufactured alternatives to genuine leather. Faux leather and vinyl are made of either polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), both of which give the look of leather at a lower cost.

Mesh is a textile that provides more breathability than any other type of upholstery. Mesh is durable but can be trickier to clean due to its porous design.

Seat Type

Pocketed coil systems are made up of a number of individual pocketed coils that help evenly distribute weight for user comfort. The coils are usually outfitted with a layer of foam on the top and bottom, with the top layer being less dense to create a cushioned feel.

Fabricated foam is one of the most common materials found in upholstered office chairs. This type of foam varies in density. The denser the foam, the more firm the feel.

Molded foam is made by pouring a liquid foam material into a mold. This type of foam offers more consistent support and holds its shape for longer than fabricated foam. This allows for more contour and a more comfortable feel.

Memory foam has a unique chemical makeup that allows the seat to adjust to your body temperature. Therefore, the seats retain more heat than others, allowing them to mold their shape as the user moves. Memory foam seats are known for providing a superior level of customized support. In addition, this material is hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites.

TEMPUR® material is the ultimate in office chair comfort. Found in Tempur-Pedic® office chairs, this type of seat material goes beyond basic memory foam to conform to your specific body type, offering the same level of support one expects from a mattress.

Casters

Soft floor casters are designed to roll effortlessly on soft flooring like carpet. This type of caster comes standard on most office chairs.

Hard floor casters are designed for hard flooring like tile and wood. Hard floor casters are available for most chair models, but they need to be special-ordered in most cases. Consult a furniture expert if you’d like to purchase hard floor casters for your chair.

Adjustable floor glides are sometimes used on office chairs in place of casters. Although these are not common, they are good for users who prefer not to roll in their office chairs.

Size

Standard-size office chairs are comfortable for the majority of people. A standard-size office chair is designed to support users measuring 5’ 5” to 6’ 0” tall and weighing 250 pounds or less.

Petite office chairs are designed for smaller users who feel that standard-size office chairs are too large. Petite chairs can still support up to 250 pounds, but they feature a shorter cylinder and shallower seat pan ideal for users who stand at 5’ 4” or shorter.

Big and tall chairs are designed for larger users. Not only does this type of chair offer a larger seat and back, but it can also support more weight than standard chairs. Big and tall chairs can support at least 300 pounds, but many support 500, 700, or more. Be sure to check the description of your big and tall chair to ensure it supports the correct weight.

How Often Should I Tighten My Chair Screws?

Just like your car requires regular oil changes to keep it working its best, your office chair needs to have its screws tightened regularly to keep it in tip-top condition and safe to use. But how often? The simple answer is once every 6 months. Because this small but important bit of maintenance can be tough to remember, we’ve put together a guide to help you stay on top of it so that you can get the most out of your office chair.

Keep a Wrench Handy

Your office chair likely came with an Allen wrench that you used to attach the base to the rest of the chair when you first received it. Do not throw this tool away! Instead, tape it to the bottom of your chair. This way, you will know exactly where the wrench is when it’s time to tighten your screws. If your chair was delivered pre-assembled or you inherited a chair from another coworker who did not save the wrench, then a basic Phillips head screwdriver will work for most chairs.

Tighten Your Chair Screws Soon After Assembly

After your chair has been assembled, use it for about a week. Then go back and tighten the screws again. Many chairs will settle during this time, so giving a follow-up check will ensure everything is as sturdy and safe as possible.

Turn Your Screws When You Turn Your Clocks

Remembering when to tighten your screws can be tough since it isn't exactly the first thing on our minds. An easy way to remember this maintenance is to coordinate your chair screw tightening with daylight saving time. Whenever it’s time to spring your clocks forward or fall back, take a minute to tighten your office chair screws using the wrench underneath the seat.

Tighten Big and Tall Chairs More Often

Because big and tall chairs experience more strain than the average task chair, you should tighten them every 3 months to ensure maximum stability. Give your big and tall chair screws a turn once per quarter to keep them in the best condition possible.

Keep Your Guests Safe and Comfortable

It’s important to tighten the screws on the chairs and tables in your waiting room every 6 months. Not only should this be done for your guests’ safety, but it will also present your business in a more professional light since visitors may frown upon wobbly furniture.

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