Check each surface on the chair
Look up the model, upholstery name and care label. A chair can have a mesh back, a fabric seat, plastic arms and a painted frame, each with its own cleaning guidance. Check for a cleaning code on fixed upholstery and whether any removable cover has a separate washing label. Keep a record of the material if the chair was refurbished.
Remove loose items and inspect the seat for caught grit or debris before wiping. Follow the maker’s routine for lifting dust without snagging the mesh or rubbing soil into the fibres. Steelcase’s material guidance recommends regular vacuuming with a suitable upholstery attachment for seating fabrics. Use only the level of suction and attachment suitable for the chair’s surface.
Use the instructions for the actual mesh
Mesh varies in weave, coating and tension. Check the maker’s guidance before applying water or a cleaner. Start with routine dust removal and inspect both sides where accessible. Avoid forcing a nozzle or brush into the openings. Keep moisture away from controls and joints unless the instructions explicitly cover cleaning those parts.
For a spill, follow the surface instructions promptly and work with a clean cloth. Test a permitted cleaner in an inconspicuous area if the maker calls for it. Treat persistent marks using the material’s approved stain process or ask the maker about professional cleaning. Let the surface dry fully before normal use.
IKEA FLINTAN has a removable seat-cover example
IKEA describes the current black FLINTAN seat cover as removable and washable. Its UK care instructions give a maximum 40°C normal machine wash and prohibit tumble drying. Confirm the cover label and revision on your own chair, then remove and refit it using IKEA’s instructions.
Fixed-depth seat with optional arms
IKEA FLINTAN with arms, black
IKEA lists the FLINTAN chair and matching arms as separate components. The chair has a 49 cm listed seat depth and a 45–58 cm seat-height range.
Match the chair and arm article numbers before fitting or removing the arms. Check the seat depth and the space around the chair base.
- 45–58 cm seat height
- 49 cm seat depth
- Matching arms attach separately
The mesh back and structural parts have separate care requirements. The presence of a washable seat cover does not establish that the complete chair or its mesh can be washed in the same way. Keep the cover fully dry before refitting as instructed.
Steelcase Series 1 illustrates fixed upholstery
The selected Onyx Series 1 has a mesh back and an upholstered seat, with Fame fabric identified in its listing. Use Steelcase’s material instructions for the fitted fabric rather than assuming the seat cover is removable or machine washable. Check the actual upholstery code if the chair was re-covered.
A lower seat with a depth slider
Steelcase Series 1, Onyx
The UK Series 1 specifications list a 41 cm starting seat height and a usable depth range of 42–48 cm. A slider lets you trial the shorter setting.
Steelcase uses a standardised measuring method. Try the seat with your own footwear if you are near the minimum, and check armrest and castor fit at your desk.
- 41–52 cm seat height
- 42–48 cm usable depth
- Depth slider
Treat the mesh, seat, arms and frame according to their own care instructions. Avoid steam cleaning or applying a general household product unless the exact material guidance permits it. After drying, check that the cover or upholstery sits properly and that the chair controls and seat edges remain clear.
Common questions
Can I wash every mesh chair seat with soapy water?
Use the maker’s method for the exact mesh or coating. Start by identifying the material and routine care instructions.
Does a zip mean the cover is machine washable?
Check the label and removal instructions. A zip alone does not define the permitted washing process.
What should I use for fixed fabric upholstery?
Follow its care code and material guidance. Regular dust removal and approved spot treatment are different from washing a removable cover.
Can I use the chair while the seat is damp?
Let the cleaned surface or cover dry fully as the maker directs before returning it to normal use.
What if a refurbished chair has different fabric?
Ask the refurbisher for the fitted material and its care instructions, then use those instructions for the replacement upholstery.
Sources and selection
Sources and Amazon UK listings checked in November 2026. This guide uses published specifications, manufacturer instructions and measurements to take in your own setup.