Recliner Mechanism Parts Diagram: The Complete Guide on General Maintenance and Care of Recliners

Regular and careful cleaning of the upholstery with water and mild soap can prevent hardening and embrittlement of the upholstered parts. These problems may include body sweat, skin oils, hair spray, hand creams, and similar things affecting upholstery.

Yeah, the recliner doesn’t need any complex maintenance. However, you need to understand some basic principles if you want it to function properly for several years. Let’s get started.

How to use a recliner properly

Before speaking about maintaining, I believe it is essential to understand how to operate your recliner properly.

The quick-release seat function is the essential feature a recliner can offer. You need to follow the following steps to use it correctly:

1. Lock Front Casters
2. Operate Recliner Mechanism Actuator
3. This chair position is generally known as the “TV” position. I believe that I don’t explain why people call it that way.

4. After pulling the chair in the “TV’ position, you will need to remove the leg rest forward to the full recliner position. This exposes the thumb knobs that ensure that you are sitting securely.
5. In the end, you need to locate and remove the thumb knobs that secure the seat. Remember NOT TO remove the seat.

It is essential to point out that different manufacturers have chairs that can vary. I’m writing this guide while considering a manual recliner from the CHAMPION manufacturer. However, some details might be other in your situation. Just be careful and use your head to think about it.

How to take care of your recliner?

So, in the previous section, we’ve discussed how to operate a recliner. After that, it is reasonable to start speaking about maintaining its cleanliness. Regular and careful cleaning of the upholstery with water and mild soap can prevent hardening and embrittlement of the upholstered parts.

These things include body perspiration, skin oils, hair spray, hand creams, and similar things that may affect the upholstery. It is not necessary or recommended that moving parts of the chairs be lubricated. Keeping the chair clean is the main maintenance requirement. Each person should check their chairs and set their own maintenance schedule.

Following this easy advice will make your recliner live significantly longer.

Recliner cleaning precautions

It is an intelligent decision to be very careful while using solvent-type cleaners. It is essential to KEEP AWAY from fire or flame and use it in a well-ventilated area. Besides, don’t use a high-pressure wash or “hosing down” on recliner chairs, which will negatively affect them in the long run.

Some institutional cleaners or disinfectants may cause discoloration of the vinyl. Use of cleaners other than those recommended by the vinyl manufacturer is at the clinic’s own risk. Follow the vinyl manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations. Certain medications may produce a metabolite in the patient’s perspiration which can stain or discolor fabric.

GENERAL CLEANING – VINYL

Generally, champion chairs are vinyl, but this can change depending on the customer’s preference. However, each vinyl manufacturer has a cleaning process that they endorse for their product. This results in that every manufacturer produces their product with a protective finish to help keep staining agents from penetrating the vinyl and becoming a permanent stain.

It is always essential to remove a spill as soon as possible after it happens, as this reduces the possibility that the stain will penetrate the protective coating and migrate into the vinyl, becoming a permanent stain. All manufacturers recommend a process of several different steps for cleaning their vinyl. It is imperative to use all steps when working on a complex spill (one that has several other potential staining agents).

BEGIN by cleaning with a non-abrasive, all-purpose household cleaner using a soft cloth or damp sponge. Rinse with clean water. Follow with solvent-type cleaner using a soft bristle brush or soft cloth. Use at full strength. Follow with a clean water rinse and pat dry.

It is always easier to clean the table immediately after a spill. When the residue from a spill has dried on the table, you may use a soft bristle brush to help bring it back into solution. Rinse the surface with clean water. Try hot water and dishwashing liquid for residue not readily soluble in bleach and water. Rinse and use absorbent material to remove as much liquid as possible.

You may also try rubbing alcohol, applying a small amount of alcohol with a cloth, rubbing the dried-on residue. It may take several applications to dissolve the residue. You may try nail polish remover (acetone and water) with a soft cloth on any remaining material.

4 ways to extend the life of your recliner:

Recliners are a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. They are comforting and relaxing in all the right ways, so investing in a good quality recliner can be a good idea.

Since recliners are not necessarily very cheap, you probably want your recliner to last a long time.

Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and manual to a T:

The manufacturers are the ones who best know the product in and out. Hence, whatever care instructions they have added to the manual are for the best practices that can help extend your recliner’s life.

Make sure that you keep your recliner as clean as possible:

Recliners are known to be the epitome of comfort, so it’s not uncommon to see people sink into a recliner and stay there for as long as possible. The overuse can cause much more junk and dirt to fill the chair, eventually wearing it out.

Make sure you clean your recliner with the right products and in the correct way at least once or twice a week. If you have a fabric recliner, you may have to clean it more often. You can even use a vacuum cleaner to suck out all the gunk and dust from between the upholstery.

Pay more attention to leather recliners:

While leather recliners last for longer, they only do if you take good care of the material. If you have pets, don’t allow them to scratch the leather. Even when cleaning your chair, you should use mild products and soft cloths or a sponge to clean your recliner lest it has a bad reaction to the chemicals.

Another critical point to remember is that leather can absorb a lot of heat. Hence, it is best to keep it away from direct heat like a furnace, fireplace, or under direct sunlight.

Service the reclining mechanism regularly:

The whole point of a recliner is that it reclines. This is down through the use of a motor mechanism. If this is worn out by dust or rust, you won’t be able to take advantage of the comfort of a recliner. So it is good practice to oil the motor and check the condition of the mechanism as often as possible.

FAQs:

How long does a recliner typically last?

While the durability of a recliner heavily depends on the quality of materials and the manufacturer, most recliners will last you anywhere from seven years to about 15 years.

However, if your recliner is made of durable materials like genuine leather, chances are that you might use your leather recliner for about 20 years.

Can I deep clean a lazy boy recliner?

You can use a mild cleaning solution to deep clean your lazy boy recliner. Make sure you don’t over-water the surface or leave any of the soap residues on the surface of the seat.