Classroom chairs and tables often fulfil the niche of being both sturdy and light to stand up to the wear and tear subjected to them in the classroom. That being said, it is crucial to keep the furniture properly cared for since a well-maintained classroom can affect the performance of students. Here are some tips and simple ways to ensure that your tables and chairs can go the extra mile.
School chairs see a lot of movement in daily teaching activities and naturally stand up to heavy use. Most school chairs are made of polypropylene materials, known for being sturdy and lightweight. Proper care should be taken when cleaning school chairs because of the properties of plastic. It is important for students to inform the teachers when spills happen.
It is easy to clean polypropylene chairs. All you need is a mild solvent and water and the stains will be dissolved and come off easily as long as they haven’t had the time to dry out. School chairs are made to withstand some harsh treatments in the classroom. However, it is best to buy sets of furniture that have sturdier and thicker plastic joints to prevent the shape from warping after some time.
Tables and cupboards
Storage cupboards and tables are mostly coated with melamine, which results in a stain-resistant and glossy finish. A damp cloth mixed with a recommended cleaning product such as the right alcohol-based solvent will be enough to clean educational furniture.
Even stains such as liquid paper or permanent marker stains can be gotten rid of by placing a soft cloth dampened with a very small solvent amount onto the stain and allowing it to be dissolved. It is important to avoid vigorous scrubbing, especially with steel wool or scours, as well as harsh solvents. These products can damage the finish of your furniture and make the surface susceptible to staining. Students should be very careful with abrasive things such as metal rulers or nail files to prevent scratches.
Upholstery with fabric or leather surfaces
Other upholstery with fabric and leather surfaces is best kept for staff-only environments since their maintenance can pose a huge challenge. Stains and spills on the fabric should be addressed as soon as possible and overuse or over-wetting of soaps may form rings that are more noticeable than the original stains.
De-pilling and regular vacuuming for fabrics are enough to account for daily use. Students should be informed to stay away from these types of upholstery when drinking or eating and to avoid potential scratching or staining objects such as stationery, pens or loose jewellery.
These are just some of the most important things to do and best practices for ensuring the longevity of your classroom chairs. As a core tenet, it’s best to use mild cleaning products and apply preventative approaches to scratches and stains to achieve the longest last of your tables and chairs. Buying high-quality furniture will give you value for your money in the long term.
