How To Clean Dining Table Chairs (Quick and Easy)

Keeping your dining room chairs clean isn’t just about making your space look tidy—it’s also essential for protecting your furniture and maintaining a healthy home. Whether it’s loose dirt, food particles, or tough stains, your dining chair sees a lot of action.

Over time, crumbs, spills, and daily use can damage the appearance and hygiene of your dining table chairs. Understanding how to clean dining table chairs properly can make all the difference in preserving their natural beauty and comfort.

Know the Type of Material Your Dining Table Chairs Have

Before diving into cleaning, identify what your dining chair is made of. Common materials include:

• Fabric or upholstered chairs

• Leather

• Wood

• Rattan

• Microfibre

• Velvet or suede

So, if you're considering refreshing your space or upgrading your furniture, check out dining room chairs for sale online to match your style and budget.

Remember that each material reacts differently to moisture, heat, and cleaning products, so using the appropriate method is vital to avoid scratching or damaging the surface.

What You Need To Clean Your Dining Table Chairs

Here are the essentials you'll want to have on hand before you start:

• Vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment

• Soft cloth, dry cloth, and damp cloth

• Spray bottle

• Paper towel or absorbent cloth

• Soft-bristled brush or soft brush

• Baking soda, which is perfect for absorbing odours and lifting stains

• White vinegar

• Warm water

• Mild detergent or mild dish soap

• Upholstery cleaner (optional)

• Olive oil (for wooden or leather chairs)

• Natural cleaning solutions (DIY blends using safe ingredients)

These basic tools are gentle on furniture and effective at lifting dirt, food particles, and odours while protecting the material.

What You Don’t Need To Clean Dining Table Chairs

When cleaning your dining chairs, it’s best to skip strong or abrasive cleaners. These can be too harsh and damage the upholstery, fabric, or surface finishes.

• Bleach is too harsh and can cause discolouration.

• Carpet cleaner is often too strong for upholstered chairs.

• Furniture polish may leave sticky residues on the fabric.

• Ammonia-based products can break down leather and wood finishes.

• For excess moisture, always be cautious of over-saturating materials.

Using the wrong cleaning agent can do more harm than good. Always test new products in an inconspicuous area first to check for any adverse reactions.

Cleaning Fabric Dining Chairs

Fabric dining room chairs are stylish and comfortable but absorb food particles, dirt, and stains more easily than other materials. Here’s how to keep them spotless:

Vacuuming

Start by vacuuming your fabric dining chairs, ideally with an upholstery attachment. This helps to remove dust, loose dirt, and crumbs, especially in the tight corners and seams where bits tend to hide. Doing this regularly stops grime from working its way deeper into the upholstery.

• Use short, overlapping strokes.

• Go over seams and under dining chair cushions.

• Repeat weekly for best results.

Spot-Cleaning

For spills or stains, spot-cleaning is your best bet. Here’s how:

1. Blot the spill immediately using a paper towel or absorbent cloth.

2. Mix a solution of mild dish soap and warm water in a spray bottle.

3. Lightly mist the affected area, then gently scrub using a soft cloth in a circular motion.

4. Dab away excess moisture with a dry cloth.

5. Let the area air dry completely.

This technique works well on dining room chairs with removable cushions.

Steam Cleaning

For a deeper clean, especially on upholstered chairs, consider steam cleaning:

• Use a steam cleaner suitable for fabric.

• Start with a small test patch in an inconspicuous area.

• Slowly pass the steamer across the surface in even strokes.

• Avoid soaking the material, excessive moisture can cause water rings or mildew.

• Allow the chair to air dry completely before use.

Steam cleaning refreshes fabric dining chairs, eliminates odours, and loosens stains trapped deep in the upholstery.

Cleaning Special Fabric Dining Chairs

Certain fabrics like microfibre, suede, and velvet require a gentler, more specialised approach to ensure you preserve their delicate textures and maintain a clean, elegant finish.

Microfibre

Microfibre dining chairs are durable but can show water rings and stains if cleaned improperly.

• Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and loose dirt.

• Mix a cleaning solution of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle.

• Lightly mist the fabric and blot gently with a clean or absorbent cloth.

• For stubborn stains, take a soft, bristled brush and gently scrub in a circular motion.

• Allow the chair to air dry completely, and brush the fabric in one direction to restore texture.

Avoid excess moisture and test any cleaner in an inconspicuous area to prevent damage.

Suede or Velvet

Cleaning suede or velvet dining chairs requires extra care as they are more prone to water rings and damage.

• Start by brushing the fabric with a soft brush to remove surface dirt.

• Lightly dust the fabric with baking soda and let it sit for around 20 minutes; this helps absorb smells and loosen light stains.

• Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda.

• For tough stains, use a small amount of white vinegar on a rag or paper towel and gently scrub the area.

• Pat dry with a dry cloth and allow it to air dry fully.

Avoid steam cleaning these fabrics, as excess moisture can cause distortion and damage.

Cushions

To clean dining chair cushions:

• Remove the cushions if possible and vacuum both sides to remove dust.

• Spot clean using mild detergent and warm water.

• Use a soft cloth to dab the cleaning solution onto the stain, then blot with a paper towel.

• Rinse using a damp cloth and then press with a dry cloth to absorb excess moisture.

• Always allow cushions to air dry completely before putting them back.

Removable dining chair cushions may also be machine-washable, but check the care label first.

Cleaning Leather Dining Chairs

Leather dining chairs are sleek and relatively easy to maintain if cleaned properly.

Steps:

1. Wipe down with a dry cloth to remove loose dirt and dust.

2. Use a mixture of mild soap and clean water to create a gentle cleaning solution.

3. Dip a soft cloth into the solution, wring it out thoroughly, and wipe the chair's surface.

4. Dry immediately with another clean cloth to avoid water rings.

5. Apply a small amount of olive oil on a soft cloth to restore shine and moisture to the leather.

6. Always clean in a circular motion, and avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals.

7. Avoid placing the chair in direct sunlight, which can cause fading or cracking.

Leather requires regular cleaning and conditioning to maintain its elegance and durability.

Cleaning Rattan Dining Chairs

Rattan dining chairs bring a natural and airy feel to the dining room but are prone to collecting dust and grime in crevices.

Steps:

1. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust between the weave.

2. Combine a small amount of mild washing-up liquid with warm water, then soak a soft cloth or brush with gentle bristles in the mixture.

3. Gently scrub the rattan, following the direction of the weave.

4. Use a clean cloth dipped in clean water to wipe off soap residue.

5. Wipe dry with an absorbent cloth, and allow the chair to air completely.

For tough stains, a small amount of baking soda and white vinegar can be used to make a paste and applied with a soft brush.

Cleaning Wooden Dining Chairs

Wooden dining chairs are classic and sturdy but must be treated carefully to preserve their finish and structure.

Steps:

1. Dust the chair using a dry cloth or soft cloth to remove dust.

2. Use a cleaning solution of mild dish soap and warm water for sticky spots.

3. Dampen a soft cloth with the solution and wipe the surface; never saturate the wood.

4. Rinse with a clean cloth dampened with clean water to remove soap.

5. Dry immediately with a dry cloth to prevent water rings.

6. Apply a few drops of olive oil using a soft cloth to condition the wood and bring out its natural beauty.

7. Avoid abrasive cleaners and excessive scrubbing to prevent scratches.

Regular cleaning keeps wooden chairs looking fresh without losing their original finish.

Green Cleaning Solutions

If you prefer eco-friendly cleaning, here are some effective natural cleaning solutions that are gentle yet powerful:

• Baking soda + white vinegar: Great for lifting tough stains and deodorising fabric

• Warm water + mild dish soap: Ideal for general surface cleaning

• Olive oil + white vinegar: A safe wooden or leather furniture polish

• Lemon juice + baking soda: Natural disinfectant and deodoriser

Apply the solution with a spray bottle and work it onto the surface with a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush.

These DIY methods avoid harsh chemicals while keeping your chairs clean and safe for daily use. Always test in an inconspicuous area before applying to the whole chair.

Removing Food Stains

Food stains are inevitable, especially in a busy household or during festive gatherings. The good news is that most common stains, like wine and grease, can be handled quickly and effectively with household items.

Wine

Red wine stains can be daunting, but quick action can prevent permanent damage:

• Blot the area immediately with a clean, dry cloth. Don’t rub it, as that can spread the stain.

• Sprinkle baking soda or salt on the stain to absorb the wine. Let it sit for a few minutes.

• Then, mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the stained spot and gently blot again using a clean cloth.

• Blot again with a clean cloth, working from the outside in.

• For stubborn stains, repeat or use a bit of mild soap and a soft cloth in a circular motion.

Avoid bleach or strong chemical cleaners, especially on fabric and wooden chairs, as these can cause discolouration or damage.

Grease

Grease stains from sauces, oils, or fried food can be tricky but manageable:

• Blot as much grease as possible with a paper towel or absorbent cloth.

• Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the stain and let it sit for 15–20 minutes.

• Gently brush off the powder with a soft-bristled or vacuum cleaner attachment.

• Mix a drop of mild dish soap with warm water, apply it to the stain with a soft cloth, and dab gently.

• Rinse with a damp cloth and pat dry with a clean towel.

This method works well on fabric, leather, and wooden chairs when done gently and promptly.

When To Clean Your Dining Table Chairs

Regular cleaning doesn’t just keep your dining area presentable, it also extends the life of your furniture.

Here’s a simple rule of thumb:

• Weekly: Light vacuuming or dusting, especially after meals or gatherings

• Monthly: Spot clean stains, wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth, and treat fabric or wood with the right products

• Every 3–6 months: Deep clean methods suitable for the chair’s material (steam cleaning for fabric, conditioning for leather, etc.)

• Immediately: Spills, crumbs, or stains to prevent long-term damage

Consistency is key, so set a schedule for your home and lifestyle.

Keep Your Dining Table Chairs Looking New

Preventative care plays a big role in preserving the look and feel of your furniture. Regular attention can keep them looking fresh and inviting for years to come.

Be Gentle

Use soft cloths, mild cleaners, and gentle pressure when cleaning. Avoid scrubbing aggressively or using abrasive materials that can scratch or wear down the surface.

Be Consistent

Regular cleaning is the secret to spotless chairs. A little upkeep each week prevents the need for harsh, time-consuming deep cleans later.

Be Careful With Water

Moisture can ruin wood, stain upholstery, and damage padding. Always wring out wet cloths, avoid oversaturation, and air dry thoroughly after cleaning.

Be Protective

• Use UV-protective sprays to prevent fading on fabric and leather.

• Apply stain-repellent sprays to fabric chairs to defend against food and drink spills.

• Add removable chair covers or cushion protectors, especially if you have young kids or frequent guests.

Be Mindful of Manufacturer’s Instructions

Always check the care tag or manufacturer’s cleaning guide before using any cleaning product. Using the wrong method can void warranties or cause permanent damage.

Be Smart About When To Call Professional Cleaners

It might be time to call in the pros if your chairs are heavily stained, made with delicate fabrics, or have deep-seated odours. Professional upholstery cleaners have the right tools and products to restore your chairs safely.

Conclusion

Cleaning dining table chairs correctly will keep your dining room spotless and help protect your investment. Following these quick and easy tips will ensure that your dining chair cushions and upholstered chairs remain fresh, spotless, and inviting.

Find your soon-to-be-favourite seat at the table, along with more helpful home care tips and easy-to-follow furniture cleaning guides at Novena today.