Facility Managers’ Checklist: Maintaining Church Chairs for Longevity

Church chairs work hard. They support worshippers of all ages through sermons, celebrations, concerts, church dinners, children’s services, and community events—week after week, year after year. That kind of use adds up, and without a maintenance plan, even the highest quality chairs can start to show wear before their time.

If you’re a facility manager, your to-do list is already full. However, the good news is that maintaining Bertolini Church Chairs doesn’t require much time, and it pays off by preserving comfort, appearance, and safety for years to come. That all adds up to longer-lasting church chairs and better stewardship of church funds.

Here’s a simple, seasonal checklist to help you care for your upholstered metal-frame church chairs.

1. Inspect Upholstery for Wear and Tear

How Often: Monthly or quarterly, depending on usage

Qué buscar: 

• Rips, punctures, or fraying fabric
• Stains or spills 
• Flattened or uneven padding

Tips:

• Spot clean any stains using a mild soap and water solution or an upholstery cleaner. 
• Gently blot — don’t rub — stains to avoid spreading or damaging the fabric. 
• Always test cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous area first.

2. Clean and Protect the Metal Frames

How Often: Monthly or during your regular facility cleaning schedule

What You Need:

• Soft cloths or microfiber towels
• A bucket of warm water with a few tablespoons of a mild detergent or all-purpose cleaner
• Another bucket with clean, warm water
• Soft brush (if needed)

Steps:

1. Check chair frames for scratches or chips in the finish. If you notice any scratches or chips, wash with extra care.
2. Wipe down all exposed metal parts with a mild solution of warm water and detergent.
3. If mud or food is caked on, dip the soft brush in the solution and gently scrub.
4. Wipe down with a cloth dipped in warm water.
5. Dry thoroughly to prevent rust.

3. Remove Crumbs & Dirt

How Often: seasonally or as needed

What You Need:

• Vacuum with upholstery attachment
• Long extension cord(s)
• Hand broom and dustpan

Steps:

1. Inspect rows of chairs for any chairs with visible dust, dirt, or crumbs
2. Using a hand broom and dustpan, gently brush any visible crumbs or dirt off the chair seats to prevent dirt from settling into the upholstery
3. If any chairs have crumbs stuck in cracks or seams, use an upholstery attachment on a vacuum to lift away debris

4. Check Chair Glides & Replace if Needed

How Often: Every six months or more often if used regularly

Qué buscar:

• Worn-out or missing glides (the small feet at the bottom of chair legs)
• Chairs that rock or wobble slightly
• Screeching sounds when chairs are moved around

Why It Matters: Damaged or missing glides can cause scratches to floors and make chairs unstable. Replacements are inexpensive and easy to install.

Where to Get New Glides

To order replacement chair glides for your Bertolini chairs, contact Customer Service.

5. Rotate and Reposition Chairs

How Often: Seasonally

Why:

• Chairs in high-traffic zones wear faster than those in lesser-used areas 
• Rotating chairs evens out wear and extends the overall life of your seating inventory

Make it a habit to swap chairs from the front rows with those in the back or side aisles. It’s an easy way to distribute usage evenly.

6. Store Chairs Properly (When Needed)

How Often: Anytime you stack or store chairs between events

How To:

• Stack only the recommended number of chairs
• Use stack dollies or carts for transport
• Avoid storing upholstered furniture in damp or humid areas — dry, well-ventilated rooms are best

Stacking safely prevents warping, denting, or frame stress — which is especially important for long-term storage. There are several dangers of stacking chairs too high: chairs can fall over and injure people and chairs can break during storage if stored inappropriately.

Final Thoughts

Your church chairs are an investment in comfort, hospitality, and worship experience. With Bertolini’s high-quality construction and this simple maintenance checklist, your chairs can deliver lasting performance for decades. 

Do you need replacement parts, coffee cup holders, or other accessories? Our team is here to help. Contacto Bertolini for everything you need to keep your seating ready for church services, concerts, trainings, community events, and more.