vinyl furniture

Unlocking the Benefits: Vinyl Furniture Care & Maintenance

Have you noticed the abundance of vinyl furniture used in restaurants?  Vinyl has long been one of the most popular options in restaurant furniture.  There are many vinyl seating options for restaurants such as vinyl booths, barstools and chairs. Why is vinyl so popular for use in restaurants?  Vinyl is attractive, easy to clean, comes in an infinite array of color options, and works with most any décor.  This blog covers some of the basics of vinyl and its use in restaurants.

1. What is vinyl?

Vinyl is a material processed from ethylene and salt to create a type of plastic.  The term vinyl is shortened from PVC, or polyvinyl chloride.  Basically, vinyl is a fabric created to be similar to natural leather, while being much less expensive but still very durable.  Here’s an interesting tip if looking at fabric and leather — you can tell if a fabric is leather as both sides look alike, while the back side of vinyl will look vastly different.

2. Why is Vinyl Furniture Used in Restaurants?

Vinyl has long been a popular choice for all types of restaurant furniture as it is easy to clean and maintain. Cleaning normally just involves a little soap and water.  Vinyl material requires little maintenance.  Many types of vinyl furniture, such as metal or wood vinyl restaurant chairs can be recovered should the seating suffer any irreparable damage.

There are many different colors of vinyl available.  Since vinyl matches almost any style of restaurant tables, it can seamlessly integrate into almost every restaurant décor.  Some less expensive chairs covered in vinyl could be matched with a similar color luxurious upholstered fabric chairs to dress up the restaurant, while still maintaining your budget.   Many restaurant furniture suppliers offer chair and barstool options with different grades of vinyl.  Since there are a variety of grades of vinyl available, there is an option for every budget.

3. How to clean vinyl furniture?

Cleaning vinyl is very simple.  A mild soap and a little water will easily clean your vinyl restaurant chairs, vinyl booths and barstools.  If any stains are noticed on your restaurant furniture, clean them quickly with a little soap and water.  If this does not remove the spill, try a mild commercial vinyl cleaner recommended for vinyl furniture.  Be careful when you are cleaning vinyl with soap and water to completely dry the vinyl after cleaning.  If an excessive amount of water is left on too long, it could soak through and damage the vinyl.

4. Vinyl Furniture Maintenance

Routinely caring for your vinyl fabrics will increase their longevity and durability.  It is important to set up a routine maintenance plan to inspect, clean, and condition your vinyl furniture.  What should this maintenance plan involve?  As discussed above, cleaning vinyl is relatively simple with a little soap and water.  While vinyl is fairly easy to maintain, it can be damaged by sunlight, harsh chemicals and prolonged exposure to water.  If possible before purchasing vinyl furniture, carefully consider whether it will be placed in a very sunny location.  Using a conditioner specifically recommended for use on vinyl will help prevent damage from sunlight.  Make sure the conditioner you purchase is specifically recommended for vinyl fabrics and not leather. You can avoid damage from harsh chemicals by quickly wiping up anything spilled on your vinyl, and ensuring you are using a mild cleaner specifically for vinyl fabrics.  To avoid damage from water or other liquids, make sure water, drinks or spills are wiped up and dried off quickly.

Minor tears in vinyl can be repaired with vinyl repair kits.  If the damage to the vinyl is more severe, recovering the whole seat can be considered.  Recovering the seat is a much less expensive option than replacing a whole chair or barstool that is in otherwise good condition.  Knowing just these few basics regarding vinyl restaurant seating will maximize your investment and keep your furniture looking great for a long time.

5. How to condition vinyl furniture?

  1. Cleaning The Furniture

    To start, use a mild soap and water solution to gently clean the vinyl furniture and get rid of any dirt or grime. Rinse it well, then let it air dry fully.

  2. Choose the right vinyl conditioner

    Look for a vinyl conditioner made especially for furniture. Make sure the product is compatible with the material of your furniture by reading the label.

  3. Test in an inconspicuous area

    Test the conditioner in a small, inconspicuous area before using it all over the furniture piece to be sure it won’t damage or discolor it.

  4. Apply the conditioner

    Apply a tiny amount of the vinyl conditioner onto a soft, lint-free cloth. Circularly massage the conditioner into the surface of the furniture. Make sure to uniformly cover the entire surface.

  5. Allow absorption

    Allow the conditioner to rest on the furniture for the period advised on the product label. This enables the vinyl to absorb the conditioner and regain its wetness and elasticity.

  6. Wipe off excess

    Use a fresh cloth to remove any extra conditioner from the furniture once the specified amount of time has passed. To avoid a sticky or greasy feeling, make sure to remove any leftover material.

  7. Buff for shine

    To improve the brightness and smoothness of the vinyl furniture, buff it with a clean, dry cloth if required.

  8. Repeat as needed

    To maintain the quality and beauty of the vinyl furniture, you might need to repeat the conditioning procedure from time to time, depending on its condition. To use the product at the suggested frequency, follow the directions.

FAQs

Is vinyl a good material for furniture?

For those looking for a sturdy and affordable solution that is also easy to clean, vinyl furniture is an excellent option. Vinyl furniture can be cleaned with a moist cloth or some mild soap, making it simple to maintain.

Is vinyl furniture durable?

Furniture made of vinyl is known for being strong and resistant to scratch. It is a man-made substance formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a substance known for its strength and durability.

Is vinyl better than faux leather?

Although vinyl can be made to look like leather, faux leather is usually considered to be less durable. Vinyl is less likely to break or peel over time and can sustain greater wear and tear. Vinyl is a popular option for those on a budget as it is more affordable than faux leather.