By Danielle 
Your dental chair is one of the most-used—and most-visible—pieces of equipment in your practice. Patients spend a lot of time in the dental chair, and what they see and feel matters. Cracked vinyl, stained cushions, or worn-looking upholstery can erode trust, raise concerns about cleanliness, and reflect poorly on your practice’s reputation.
Good upholstery maintenance isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a critical part of infection control and efficiency. In this article, we will discuss the best practices to care for your chair’s upholstery, offer general maintenance tips, and help you recognize when it might be time for a replacement.
Dental Chair Upholstery Maintenance: More Than Just Looks
Ever walked into a dental office and noticed cracked or yellowed upholstery? More than just wear and tear, these imperfections can be a sign of chemical damage.
Chemical disinfection of the entire chair—including hard surfaces and upholstery—is a daily part of all dental practice operations. However, harsh disinfectants and alcohol-based cleaners can strip away the oils embedded in Naugahyde and similar upholstery materials, causing it to dry out, discolor, and split. Beyond being unsightly, cracks in the material can make the chair more difficult to clean and provide a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.
Here’s the good news: chemical damage is preventable. Taking the time to avoid damage from disinfection does not take long but can significantly contribute to the lifespan of your upholstery.
Smart Cleaning Practices Go a Long Way in Extending the Life of Upholstery
Cleaning and disinfecting your dental chair is essential, but how you do it makes all the difference. Here’s a general guideline for safe cleaning that protects both your patients and your chair.
When using harsh chemicals, always rinse the surface to remove as much residue as possible to reduce long-term damage. Always test any cleaning product on an inconspicuous area first. Never spray disinfectants directly on the chair—spray on a cloth and wipe instead.
And most importantly, follow the cleaning instructions provided by your chair’s manufacturer, as they may provide model-specific advice. DENTALEZ provides the following general guidelines for our dental chair products.
For Routine Cleaning:
- Mix 1 part neutral detergent (like dish soap) with 9 parts warm water
- Wipe down surfaces using a soft sponge or cloth
- Rinse with plain water and dry thoroughly
For Stains:
Bleach-Based Cleaning (for tough stains):
- Mix 1 part household bleach with 9 parts water, be cautious not to mix up too high of a concentration of the bleach
- Apply with a damp white cloth and let sit for up to 30 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry
Alcohol-Based Cleaning:
- Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and gently rub the area
- Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry
To Restore Shine:
- Apply a light coat of lemon furniture wax to the upholstery
- Let sit for 30 seconds, then lightly buff with a clean, white cloth
If your staff practices regular disinfection of dental chair upholstery, but does not perform regular cleaning or polishing, it is important to build in a few minutes every week to prevent long-term damage from disinfection.
- Wipe the upholstery with warm, soapy water to remove chemical residue.
- Rinse and let dry.
- Follow up with a furniture polish that contains beeswax. The beeswax helps replenish oils, condition the material, and extend its life.
Reupholstery Considerations When Damage is Done
When upholstery degrades, recovering a chair can cost thousands of dollars—and may require sending out cushions or paying for professional installation. Upholstery can be purchased from third-party sellers or directly from chair manufacturers. Handy dentists may be able to manage to recover chairs, but many practices will need to hire professional upholsterers, often at a steep cost.
When a dental chair’s upholstery is damaged, it may be a good time to assess whether it is time to replace the entire dental chair. Even the best-maintained chair has a lifespan. If you’re facing repeated repairs, expensive reupholstery, or outdated features, it may be time to upgrade. Our guide can help you decide if it may be time to consider a new chair.
Other Dental Chair Maintenance Tips
Beyond upholstery care, it pays to build good habits for overall chair longevity.
- Follow your manufacturer’s manual for lubrication or part-specific care.
- Regularly inspect your chair visually. Are there scuff marks? Is the luster fading? Are any cracks or mechanical issues forming? Early attention can prevent costly repairs and replacement.
- Check weight limits on your current chair model. Using a standard chair for larger patients can cause stress on the lift system and reduce its lifespan.
Maintenance Considerations When Purchasing a New Dental Chair
When evaluating a new dental chair, longevity and ease of maintenance should be part of your decision-making process—not just aesthetics or comfort.
Look for features that minimize wear and extend lifespan, such as:
- Seamless upholstery, which is easier to disinfect and less prone to damage from cleaning agents
- Sturdy construction with clear manufacturer guidelines for upkeep
- Height and weight limits that match the needs of your practice
To explore price ranges, upholstery options, and performance features, check out our dental chair cost guide.
When It’s Time to Replace Your Dental Chair
Even with great maintenance habits, every chair has a finite life. If you’re facing repeated repairs, increasing maintenance costs, or signs of wear that impact patient confidence, it may be time to consider a replacement. Our guide, Five Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Dental Chair, can help in this decision-making process.
For practices looking to upgrade their equipment, the Forest 6400 chair is a forward-thinking choice, offering:
- A modern, durable design with digital chair position sensors
- Optional seamless upholstery to simplify cleaning and reduce chemical damage
- Aeras Intel compatibility for advanced system monitoring and maintenance insights
- Highest-rising chair in the industry at 36.5”
- Highest lift weight capacity in the industry
- Optional heat and massage for patient comfort
Smart Monitoring with Aeras® Intel
If you’re upgrading your chair, consider integrating smart technology like Aeras Intel, available on the Forest 6400 chair. This system adds a layer of proactive maintenance by:
- Monitoring air, vacuum, and electronic systems in real time
- Sending alerts before small issues become major problems
- Tracking chair usage data, helping practices optimize time management and operatory flow
This insight helps catch small issues early, reduce unplanned downtime, and keep your team on schedule.
Whichever chair model your practice uses, it’s important to keep the long-term health of its upholstery in mind.
Taking a few extra minutes each week to care for your dental chair can save you time, money, and headaches down the line. It enhances your patient experience, protects your investment, and ensures your practice always looks its best.
If you’d like expert advice on extending the life of your dental chair or choosing a smart upgrade for the future, click here to reach out to DENTALEZ.