Aeron Chair Maintenance – Essential Strategies

A filthy Aeron chair is more than just visually repulsive; the accumulated dirt and germs on your Herman Miller can harshly react with your skin. 

Neglecting the cleanliness of your desk chair may lead to skin rashes and irritation, and the grime can also impair the functioning of essential parts such as the wheels. Moreover, avoiding aeron chair maintenance may result in unpleasant odors.

Aeron Chair Maintenance – How to Clean Different Parts

Find the maintenance tips of the Heman Miller chair’s different parts.

Mechanical Parts

• Step 01: Start by addressing the lift pump, base, casters, swivel, and control knobs of your chair.
• Step 02: Clean the external parts of your chair by wiping them with a cloth soaked in warm water and mild soap.
• Step 03: Afterward, use a clean rug to thoroughly dry the surface.
• Step 04: Apply WD40 to lubricate the swivel, casters, cylinder, and joints. Ensure even distribution using a clean rag.
• Step 05: Allow your chair sufficient time to dry completely.

Arm Pads

Vacuuming effectively eliminates dust, but for spills on your arm pads, a thorough wipe is necessary. Soak a rag in lukewarm, mildly soapy water and run it across the entire arm, ensuring you cover the entire surface, not just the soiled areas.

• Step 01: Subsequently, use a clean rug to dry the treated areas. Finally, let the pads air dry.
• Step 02: When dealing with spots on leather arm pads.
• Step 03: Clean the arm with a warm, wet, mildly soapy rug, and allow it to air dry.
• Step 04: Sponge away challenging spots.

Pro Tip: Leather is sensitive to extreme temperatures, so avoid drying arms under the sun, near heating sources, or with a hairdryer.

Oily Spots and Spills

• Step 01: Wipe butter, grease, or oil with a clean, dry rag, letting the excess absorb into the arm pads.
• Step 02: Avoid cleaning with water, saddle soap, ammonia, varnish, harsh cleansers, detergents, furniture polishes, oils, or cleaning solvents, as these can lead to stickiness and cracking.

Material Spots and Stains

For spot cleaning on the pellicle, use an absorbent rag to rub the area. To prevent setting, avoid allowing the stain to completely dry. Use a water-based fabric cleaner or a mild soap solution to eliminate stains from:

• Juices
• Soft drinks
• Tea
• Coffee
• Milk and similar water-based beverages

Ensure you use well-lathered cold water during the process; using hot water may set the stains. Additionally, refrain from scrubbing to preserve the material.

Oil-based Stains

• Step 01: Apply a dry cleaning solution with a rag over the affected areas.
• Step 02: Conduct a spot test on a small area for 24 hours before treating extensive regions. Once satisfied with its impact on your Aeron’s quality, apply the solution to oily areas with light, quick movements.
• Step 03: Apply the solution from the spot’s edge towards its center, avoiding over-saturation that may cause damage. Work gently to preserve the material’s character, and opt for several light treatments rather than one intense application.
• Step 04: Dip a different clean rug in cold water to remove residue.
• Step 05: Allow your Aeron sufficient time to dry.
• Step 06: Finish by vacuuming the chair.

Wheels

If you haven’t changed the wheels on your Aeron chair, you’ll likely have dual casters. Cleaning this wheel design is a bit more challenging due to the required dismantling compared to a single-wheel design.

Wheel cleaning is not a frequent task; it may only be necessary if you encounter difficulty in maneuvering your chair.

How to Disassemble an Aeron Chair Wheel

• Step 01: Place your chair upside down on a table or a clean rug to avoid soiling the seat, arms, and headrest.
• Step 02: Insert two flathead screwdrivers into the slits between the office chair wheel and axle.
• Step 03: Press one screwdriver against the axle while holding the other firmly to stabilize the wheel. One of the dual wheels should pop off, leaving the other and the axle.
• Step 04: Remove hair and large debris from around the free caster and its side of the axle.
• Step 05: For stubborn hairs, use a quality utility knife, cutting against the axle and not the metal.
• Step 06: Since Aeron wheels are plug-style, pull them out. If they resist, twist them around or lubricate the wheel sockets and let them sit for 10 minutes before pulling.
• Step 07: Disconnect the axle from the other wheel by pressing it down on a hard surface with your flathead.

Wheel Cleaning and Reattachment

• Step 01: With the axle free, remove hairs around its other side, repeating the process for the second wheel.
• Step 02: Vacuum clean the wheels.
• Step 03: Rinse them with water to remove any remaining dirt, then clean with a soapy solution and rug for a thorough cleanse.
• Step 04: Wipe the wheels with a dry rag and let them dry completely.
• Step 05: Reconnect the wheels and plug them back into their sockets.

How to Remove Odors from Aeron Chairs

Unpleasant smells can develop from prolonged use, user hygiene, chemical spills, and more. Explore the following effective methods to eliminate odors from your Aeron chair.

Vinegar Treatment

• Step 01: Begin by vacuuming debris from your Aeron chair.
• Step 02: Mix equal amounts of vinegar and water and pour the solution into a spray bottle.
• Step 03: Test the solution on a small odor-affected section and leave it for a day to ensure it doesn’t damage the chair.
• Step 04: Lightly spray the entire Aeron, being cautious not to saturate it.
• Step 05: Allow the chair to air dry thoroughly.
• Step 06: Prepare your chair for use by vacuuming it once more.

Baking Soda Treatment

• Step 01: Vacuum clean your Aeron or wipe it with a clean rag.
• Step 02: Dust its surface with a thin layer of baking soda, covering it completely.
• Step 03: Gently rub the baking soda into your Aeron’s fabric, being careful not to damage the material.
• Step 04: Let the baking soda sit overnight.
• Step 05: Vacuum out the baking soda, and before using your chair again, aerate it and dust off any remaining traces.

FAQ

Is It Possible to wash an Aeron Chair?

Certainly, you can clean an Aeron chair to eliminate dirt. The cleaning approach depends on factors such as the chair’s condition, the type of dirt, and its intensity, which may necessitate different solutions at various temperatures.

For regular cleaning, warm water and mild soap suffice, but for tackling stains, opt for cold water. To address odors, use either vinegar or baking soda.

Can I machine wash the fabric parts of my Aeron chair?

No, it is not recommended to machine wash the fabric parts of your Aeron chair. Machine washing can damage the fabric and affect the chair’s integrity. Instead, spot clean with a mild soap solution and a cloth for proper maintenance.

Final Words

Aeron chair maintenance helps maintain the chair’s longevity. These valuable tips are conveniently included in the packaging of your Herman Miller Aeron chair.