How to Clean Wooden Chairs: Maintenance Tips for Hospitality Furniture

In the hospitality business, chairs take a beating. From exposure to food and beverages to possible scuffing to general wear and tear, hotel and restaurant chairs encounter plenty of ways to become dirty. With commercial wooden chairs, it’s particularly important to clean them correctly so that the natural wood is protected. After all, durability and longevity are prime reasons to choose wooden chairs instead of other types of banquet chairs. Plus, since wooden chairs tend to cost more than other chair materials, you want them to last. 

This guide details both daily maintenance and periodic deep-cleaning tips that are best practices for cleaning hardwood furniture, including banquet-quality chairs.

5 Tips for Cleaning Wood Chairs

• Always use the gentlest cleaning methods first to prevent permanent damage to the wood finish.
• Clean by dipping a cloth in a gentle solution of mild dish soap and water.
• Use furniture polish sparingly to avoid waxy buildup.
• For upholstery, blot clean first and then use gentle upholstery cleaner to remove any stain.
• Invest in stain-prevention fabric treatments for easy cleaning.

Wood Furniture Maintenance

Wooden chairs need periodic cleaning, particularly if they’re used in busy restaurant settings. They can become sticky and unsanitary. Most food and drink debris can be cleaned off wood chairs with a soft cloth dipped in warm water.

If you need deeper cleaner or to sanitize hardwood chairs, wood furniture can be cleaned and wiped down with a gentle solution of mild dish soap and water. For best results, dry immediately. While air-drying is okay, it may leave water spots on some wood finishes. You can prevent these by wiping down the wood surfaces with a dry cloth—a microfiber cloth is the least abrasive to the wood finish.

How to Polish Wood Furniture

To maintain the luster of the wood finish, you can apply furniture polish as needed to wooden chairs and other wooden furniture. If you use wood polish too often, it may build up on the surface of the wood, creating an undesirable film. 

A good rule of thumb is to examine furniture that gets used daily, such as in a dining area or waiting room, once per month. If wood starts looking dull and has lost some of its shine, apply a light layer of polish with a microfiber cloth to restore that sheen you expect in wood furniture. 

Limpieza de tapicería

What about cleaning wooden chairs with upholstery? If your chair has a vinyl cushion, use a gentle mixture of any mild soap and warm water to dissipate the most common soil from the surface with a soft cloth. If stubborn dirt remains, such as a stain embedded in the grain of the vinyl, use a soft brush, and, if necessary, a touch of cleaning powder or vinyl cleaner. In both situations, rinse and dry the cushion’s fabric with a soft cloth.

If your wooden chairs have non-vinyl fabric upholstery, stains and spots should be cleaned immediately to prevent permanent damage. Crumbs and dust should also be vacuumed away regularly so that dirt and debris don’t settle into the fabric. Use a commercial upholstery cleaning formula to remove any stubborn stains. 

It’s a Wrap

That’s it. Cleaning wood furniture is relatively simple. Are you surprised that to clean wood furniture, you just need soap, water, and microfiber cloths? There’s no need to use bleach, abrasive cleaners, or heavy-duty chemicals on wooden chairs. In fact, doing so may void the warranty. You also don’t need to use furniture polish daily (or even after each use if your chairs are used for intermittent events like weddings or conferences). You can keep commercial wooden chairs in tip-top condition for years to come with just these simple cleaning tips.