How To Clean A Hospital Chair

Due to the high use of patient seating in hospitals, regular cleaning is essential to prevent the spread of infection and keep the chair in good condition.

Most hospital chairs are made from hard-wearing fabric to withstand regular cleaning and protect the chair from ingress of fluid and contaminants.

Infection control standards in hospitals determine what cleaning materials should be used for seating. Typically, detergent mixed with water or detergent wipes are used. Strong detergents or chlorine-based solutions should be avoided and only used sparingly. Infection control is a huge subject, read our in-depth article on infection control to learn more.

Jump straight to…

• • How To Clean A Riser Recliner Chair
    • Cleaning Tips For Riser Recliners
  • How To Clean Vinyl Chairs
    • Dos
    • Dont’s
  • How To Clean Lento Hospital Chairs
    • Lento Chair Range — Infection Control Features
      • Lento Care Chair
      • Lento Riser Recliners
  • Summary

How To Clean A Riser Recliner Chair

1. Wear gloves and a face mask to protect against harmful bacteria
2. Remove any loose debris from the surface of the chair using a dry cloth or vacuum cleaner
3. Use a detergent-based solution and apply to the chair using a cloth or air spray. Systematically wipe down all surfaces of the chair, rising the cloth regularly and replenishing the cleaning solution if the chair is heavily soiled.
4. Allow the cleaning solution to sit on the chair for at least 5 minutes to maximise its effect
5. Use a clean cloth to wipe down the chair and remove the cleaning solution
6. Rinse the close in warm water and wring it out well, before wiping down the chair to remove any remaining residue
7. Allow the chair to dry completely before using it again

Cleaning Tips For Riser Recliners

• Move the chair into its rise and recline positions to access underneath the chair and hidden surfaces
• Clean the handset and cord thoroughly
• Side pockets can trap crumbs and bacteria, be sure to wipe inside the pockets and remove any loose debris

How To Clean Vinyl Chairs

Most hospital seating will be upholstered in vinyl, at least on the outer surfaces, as is it hard-wearing and resistant to knocks and scratches.

Most faux leathers on hospital seating are water-resistant and have a smooth surface that is easy to wipe clean. Here are some essential dos and don’ts for cleaning fabric chairs:

Dos:

• Use microfibre cloths for light routine cleaning, and dry off with a clean absorbent cloth
• Avoid using bleach, but in extreme circumstances where there is heavy soiling, a 10% bleach solution may be used.
• When cleaning solutions are used, ensure any remaining residue is removed with a clean cloth before the chair is used again

Don’ts:

• Don’t steam clean
• Don’t machine wash or tumble dry fabrics
• Don’t dry clean
• Don’t immerse fully in water
• Don’t use chemical cleaners like solvents or alcohol

How To Clean Lento Hospital Chairs

The Lento chair range integrates several design features to improve infection control in hospitals. One major benefit of the Lento range is the modular design that allows the chair to be stripped down for deep cleaning.

Lento Chair Range — Infection Control Features

Lento Care Chair

The Lento care chair and its smaller sibling, the Little Lento, are designed to cover the broadest cross-section of patients within the hospital seating, providing postural support and pressure relief for those with limited mobility.

• Fabric

The outer surface of the chair is vinyl with a soft dartex to the inner contact surfaces of the chair. Both are smooth, resistant materials and easy to wipe down. Chlorine-based seating solutions can be used on these surfaces if required.

• Removable arms

The width-adjustable arms can be removed easily to allow deep cleaning in the more concealed areas of the chair

• Magnetic fastenings

The backrest cushions, seat wrap and footrest cover remove easily with magnetic fastenings. These remove the need for Velcro which collects dirt and debris, and provides a smooth, flat chair base that can be deep-cleaned without hidden seams or recesses.

• The zipped covers on the legrest blocker, padded footrest and wings can be removed for further cleaning

Lento Riser Recliners

The Lento Riser Recliner range incorporate the bariatric versions, and the Lento Mobile Riser Recliner, which has all the rehabilitation benefits of a riser recliner chair as well as being fully portable, so great for hospital wards.

• The magnetic backrest provides a smooth flat surface that is easy to clean, and removes the need for Velcro which traps dirt and debris
• The arm sections slide off for easy cleaning
• The removeable gel seat cover and cushions expose the seat base for deep cleaning
• The magnetic handset is easy to wipe clean

Summary

Good infection control is paramount in patient healthcare, and an important factor to consider when purchasing hospital seating is how good it is for infection control.

Cleaning and maintenance are essential to keep your chair in good working order and prevent the spread of infection. If you would like cleaning instructions for any of the chairs in our range, or want to learn more about infection control in general, please contact us for more information.