To keep an office chair cool:
- Take frequent breaks from sitting
- Sit at the front of the chair for a few minutes
- Maintain cooler room temperatures
- Set it up in the right location
- Clean the chair often
- Wear breathable materials
- Use desk fans
- Control sun with curtains and blinds
- Consider a polyester cover or cooling chair mat
These solutions range from habits you can take on at no cost to products you can buy to keep your chair cooler.
Keep reading to learn which habits and products will provide the most relief for your situation.
Habits to Keep an Office Chair Cool
Start by adopting new habits to keep your office chair cool.
These usually come at no cost, and many of them benefit you in more ways than one.
Taking Frequent Breaks:
You should get up and move around about once every hour.
Even just standing allows your office chair to get some air and cool off, and your body benefits from the movement.
This is the perfect time to get up and go to the bathroom, refill your water, or just walk around and stretch.
You can do this as often as you need to cool your chair down.
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Shifting to the Front of the Chair:
When you need to cool down but cannot leave your desk, try shifting to the front edge of the chair.
Because this breaks down proper posture, you should not do it often, but it can cool you down in a pinch.
Sitting on the edge of the seat lets your legs cool off and separates you from the back of the chair.
It also lets airflow over and through the seat cushion to cool it off.
Maintaining Room Temperature:
Make sure your air conditioner works properly to keep the room cool.
The optimal temperature for a workspace sits between 68°F and 76°F, but this varies depending on personal preference.
You should ensure the humidity of the room is in a comfortable range as well. OSHA recommends 20 to 60 percent for proper comfort and health.
Choosing the Right Location:
Make sure your office chair does not sit in direct sunlight or near any elements that get hot, such as radiators or electronics that blow warm air.
Consider putting your office chair near an air vent if space permits. This can provide optimal cooling, keeping your body and the chair cool while you work.
Regular Cleaning:
Focus on keeping your office chair clean beyond spot cleaning.
Take the time to vacuum it at least once a month to remove dirt, dust, and debris that prevents the fabric from breathing properly.
Use a wet vacuum or stronger cleaner to address sweat and grime that builds upon the surface of the chair. By keeping it clean, you allow it to breathe and stay cool.
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Cool Off Before Sitting Down:
If you work out before sitting in your office chair or talking to work, make sure you give yourself enough time to cool off before sitting down.
Your office chair sources most of its heat from your body. Making sure you are cool before sitting gives you a better starting temperature to work with.
This can also keep your chair cleaner, preventing fabric issues in the future.
Wearing Breathable Materials:
Look for natural materials that allow ample airflows, such as cotton and silk. Thin, lightweight fabrics will keep you cooler as you sit in your chair.
You can also look for materials that wick sweat away from your body, often performance materials like polyester.
Avoid heavy materials like fleece or acrylic. These trap sweat and body heat, increasing your discomfort as you sit in your office chair.
Products to Keep an Office Chair Cool
While you may have these items on hand, investing in these products can help you keep an office chair cool throughout the day.
Desk Fans:
Use one or most desk fans to increase airflow in your work area.
As the air moves, it evaporates sweat from your body, making it easier to stay cool and preventing the heat and moisture from transferring to the office chair.
Keep in mind that desk fans bring more dust into the area, so you’ll need to clean your desk chair more often.
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Curtains and/or Blinds:
Find a quality set of blackout curtains or window blinds to help maintain the temperature of the room.
They can prevent heat transfer by as much as 24 percent, saving you money on air conditioning costs and keeping your office chair cooler.
Another solution is to invest in window tinting that blocks heat.
Chair Cover:
Covering your chair with fabric offers a few cooling benefits.
If your chair still ends up in the sunlight, you can use a towel or a blanket to prevent it from heating before you sit down. Just remove the cloth before you set to work in your office chair.
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A thin towel or chair cover can also make the chair easier to clean and prevent moisture and body heat from settling into the chair’s cushion.
Some materials, such as polyester, work better to keep your body and the chair cool
Cooling Chair Mats:
Cooling chair mats come in a variety of options, such as:
- Bamboo ventilation mats
- Cooling gel mats
- Mats with built-in fans
While ventilation mats are the cheapest, they may not provide the most comfort. Cooling gel mats often provide relief while drawing heat from the body.
High-end cooling mats use fans to move air through the cushion, keeping your body and the chair cool.
Which Office Chairs Stay Cooler?
If chair temperature is a major concern, look for an office chair that is made of a light, mesh fabric.
Avoid thicker materials that do not breathe as well, such as leather.
In most cases, you can use the methods listed above to keep any office chair cool.
This lets you use a chair you already have or choose a style that best suits your taste without sacrificing comfort and productivity.
Last update on 2022-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API