Durability is essential to any office product, especially mats. Premature wear and tear wastes money and can be a safety hazard for co-workers and anyone who uses the space. Mats that can withstand daily wear may be worth the cost, but how do you know which ones are quality products? We’ve compiled a list of several tips for extending your office chair mat’s life span.
1. Cleaning Your Chair Mats
Keeping your office chair mats clean is one of the most effective ways of extending their life span. Many companies use a cleanser to remove dust, dirt, and any stains that come in contact with your office chair.
If you’re not comfortable using a commercial cleaner, you can use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe the material clean. You should be sure to avoid using any paper towels to wipe down the mat. That is because they may leave fibers that can cause permanent stains on the material.
You can also use a brush to clean stubborn stains and dirt on your chair mats for carpet. Using a brush with a soft bristle brush is the easiest way to get into small areas that may be difficult to reach. However, you should avoid brushing too hard as it can cause damage to the material, thus shortening its life span.
In addition to cleaning your chair mats to extend their life, it’s also a good idea to clean the areas around your chair’s wheels. Keeping this area clean can help prevent the chair mats from slipping from underneath your chair. Air drying your chair mats is also essential to extending the lifespan of your mats.
This is because mats that are constantly wet will lose their suppleness and become brittle. In addition to drying, you should never use a hot air dryer or heat setting on your chair mat’s doors, as these can cause them to deteriorate over time.
2. Keep Your Chair Mat from Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight is a leading cause of premature wear and tear on office chair mats. The sun’s harmful rays can cause your mat to become discolored, brittle, and generally unattractive. Unfortunately, you cannot do much to prevent sunlight from damaging your chair seat. But one thing you can do is protect it with a good quality fabric cover.
Suppose direct sunlight is unavoidable for office use. In that case, it’s also a good idea to place your chair mat in an area that receives filtered light from windows or other decorative lighting sources. Fewer hours in direct sunlight mean fewer hours of fading and discoloration.
3. Protect Your Office Chair Mats from Moisture
Damp areas like basements or rooms near water sources are capable of causing permanent damage to your office chair mats. Making sure your office chair mat is set up in a dry environment will give your chair mat a longer life span when compared to mats constantly exposed to moisture.
Vinyl and polyurethane are the most common materials used for these office products. Although these materials can be highly durable, they are also susceptible to damage caused by water and moisture. If you have mats on top of carpeted areas, you may want to invest in anti-skid pads to protect the floor and the underside of your chair’s wheels.
4. Make Sure Your Chair Mats Are Firm and Even
Another way to extend the life and usefulness of your office chair mats is to ensure they are firm and even. The material that covers the mat’s surface will be able to withstand more pressure if it is firmly connected to the bottom of the mat.
When your chair mat feels too soft, there may be a problem with the surface or underside of the chair mat. You can easily remedy this by adjusting its position or using a different type of adhesive footing.
A common cause for cushioned seat mats that feel soft or loose is dirt build-up underneath them. You’ll want to use a gentle cleaning product and a soft cloth to clean the underside of your office chair mat. If your chair mat is sitting in a constantly damp area, you may also need to ensure that it is scorched before setting it up again.
Conclusion
Office chair mats are essential in the overall functionality of any office space. Not only do they provide a comfortable place to sit during the work day, but they can also act as a safety precaution for co-workers and anyone else who uses that particular space daily.