As winter approaches, many people start preparing their homes and vehicles for the colder months—but what about your office furniture? Winter can take a toll on your workspace, with colder temperatures, fluctuating humidity levels, and increased dirt and moisture tracked indoors. To ensure your office furniture remains in good shape and lasts for years, it’s important to follow a seasonal maintenance routine, especially during the winter months.
At Environments Denver, we understand that high-quality office furniture is an investment. With proper care, it can serve your business for a long time. In this blog post, we provide practical tips for office furniture maintenance. You’ll learn how to maintain and care for your office furniture this winter, ensuring it continues to look and function its best for the seasons ahead.
1. Keep Furniture Away from Direct Heat Sources
Winter months mean heaters are running full blast to keep the office warm and cozy. However, placing office furniture too close to direct heat sources can cause damage over time. Heat sources can include space heaters, radiators, or heating vents.
- Wood furniture: Heat can cause wood to dry out, leading to cracks, warping, or fading finishes. If you have wooden desks, shelves, or chairs, make sure they are positioned away from heat sources.
- Fabric and leather: Excessive heat can dry out leather, causing it to crack. And it can cause fabric to wear out or fade faster. Keep upholstered and leather chairs at a safe distance from direct heat.
Whenever possible, maintain a consistent temperature in the office to avoid extreme fluctuations that could damage furniture materials.
2. Control Indoor Humidity Levels
Winter brings not only cold air but also dryness, which can affect office furniture, particularly wood and leather items. Low humidity levels can cause wood to shrink and crack. And excessive moisture in certain conditions may lead to mold growth or fabric damage.
- Use humidifiers: If your office air becomes too dry, consider using humidifiers to maintain optimal humidity levels between 30-50%. This helps protect wood from drying out and prevents leather from cracking.
- Monitor humidity: A simple humidity monitor can help you keep track of indoor air quality. It can help ensure the environment is conducive to the longevity of your office furniture.
Maintaining a stable humidity level is especially important during the winter when indoor heating can significantly dry out the air.
3. Regular Cleaning and Dusting
Another tip for office furniture maintenance involves more than a one-time investment—it requires regular cleaning. Winter often brings more dirt and debris into the office as employees and visitors track in slush, snow, and salt. This debris can accumulate on your office furniture, causing wear and tear over time.
- Dust surfaces frequently: Dust can accumulate quickly during the winter. Be sure to dust desks, shelves, and cabinets regularly to prevent build-up. And use a microfiber cloth for delicate surfaces such as wood or glass to avoid scratches.
- Vacuum upholstered furniture: For fabric chairs or sofas, use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove dust and dirt from the material. Wipe down leather furniture with a soft, damp cloth. And then follow up with a leather conditioner to keep the material soft and supple.
- Clean desk chairs: Desk chairs, especially those with fabric or mesh seating, can collect dust, crumbs, and dirt. Vacuum the seat and backrest, and wipe down the armrests and other parts with a damp cloth.
Routine cleaning not only keeps your office looking professional but also helps extend the life of your furniture by preventing premature wear.
4. Protect Flooring and Furniture from Moisture
Snow and ice mean more water and salt are likely to make their way into the office. And that can damage both the flooring and furniture. Here’s how to protect your office from winter moisture:
- Use entryway mats: Place heavy-duty mats at all entrances to trap moisture and dirt before they reach your office flooring. Make sure employees and visitors wipe their shoes thoroughly to avoid tracking water around the office.
- Place protective pads under furniture: If your office furniture sits on wooden or carpeted floors, use protective pads under chair and table legs to prevent moisture damage. These can also help prevent scratches and scuffs on hard surfaces.
- Clean up spills immediately: In the event of snow or slush melting indoors, be sure to clean it up right away. Moisture can cause wood to warp, weaken adhesives in laminated furniture, or lead to mold growth in fabric.
Preventing water damage is key to maintaining the appearance and structural integrity of your office furniture during the winter months.
5. Use Protective Furniture Covers When Necessary
If certain areas of your office are not used frequently during the winter, consider using protective covers on your furniture. This is particularly helpful for shared spaces, where furniture may be left untouched for long periods. Examples of such spaces would include conference rooms or waiting areas.
- Cover leather furniture: Leather can dry out during the winter. So, using a protective cover when furniture isn’t in use can help shield it from direct heat and moisture.
- Protect desks and tables: Desk covers or mats can be used to protect surfaces from scratches, water rings, or spills caused by winter beverages like coffee or hot cocoa.
These covers are a simple and inexpensive way to protect furniture from potential winter damage and reduce wear and tear.
6. Inspect and Tighten Hardware
During the winter months, cold temperatures can cause the hardware in furniture to contract, leading to loose screws or joints. This is particularly true for office chairs, desks, and shelving units.
- Tighten screws and bolts: Periodically check all screws, bolts, and fasteners in your furniture to ensure they’re secure. Loose hardware can compromise the structural integrity of your furniture and may cause damage over time.
- Lubricate moving parts: For office chairs or adjustable desks with moving parts, apply a small amount of lubricant to prevent squeaking or stiffness due to colder temperatures.
Regularly inspecting your furniture ensures that everything stays in top shape. And prevents small issues from turning into costly repairs down the road.
7. Maintain Proper Furniture Arrangement
Winter tends to bring about changes in how people use office spaces, particularly in terms of seating arrangements and shared areas. It’s important to reassess how your furniture is arranged to accommodate for heating systems, employee comfort, and heavy winter foot traffic.
- Avoid blocking heating vents: Make sure no furniture is blocking heating vents. Otherwise, this can not only affect your heating efficiency but also damage furniture by overheating certain areas.
- Create open pathways: Rearrange furniture to create clear pathways where employees or clients might track in snow or salt. Doing so will make it easier to keep those areas clean.
A well-organized office layout can reduce wear and tear on your furniture and create a more comfortable and functional environment during the winter months.
Conclusion
Winter weather can be tough on office furniture. But following the tips for office furniture maintenance in this post will help you protect your investment, extending its lifespan. From regulating indoor humidity and cleaning regularly to protecting against moisture and keeping an eye on hardware, these simple steps can keep your furniture looking and functioning like new through the winter and beyond.
At Environments Denver, we know the difference well-maintained office furniture can make for you. It not only enhances the look of your space but also contributes to a productive and comfortable work environment. By following these winter maintenance tips, you can ensure your office furniture continues to serve your business for years to come.
Need more advice on maintaining your office furniture? Contact us today, and let our team of experts guide you in creating and maintaining a workspace that works for you all year round!
