Care and Maintenance Guide

Welcome to the comprehensive guide designed to ensure you get the best from your LIFEFORM® Chair. We’ll walk you through how to maintain its pristine condition and ensure its longevity, this page offers step-by-step instructions and expert advice. Our commitment to quality extends beyond our products; we aim to empower you with the knowledge to keep your chair in peak condition for years to come. Dive in and discover how to maximize your LIFEFORM® Chair experience!

Maintenance Instructions

Casters

Cleaning: Regularly wipe away dust and debris with a damp cloth. Ensure the wheels are free from elements that could hinder their movement.
Lubrication: Apply lubricant occasionally for smooth wheel operation. We recommend a Graphite lubricant which is dry and ideal for situations where a wet lubricant might attract dirt and dust. Ensure you protect your area by laying down a plastic sheet when applying any lubricant as dripping or spillage may occur. Wipe away any excess lubricant.
Replacement: Periodically inspect for wear and tear, replacing when necessary.
Why It’s Necessary: Clean and well-maintained casters ensure that the chair rolls smoothly, preventing floor damage and ensuring easy movement.

Important to note: If you notice excessive wear check to make sure you are using the correct Caster type. LIFEFORM’s standard caster type is made for Carpet. If you are using your chair on a plastic or glass chair mat, tile, hardwood, laminate, concrete or other hard surface, you should be using a Soft Wheeled caster. Soft Wheel casters will provide the proper friction to roll smoothly and evenly on hard surfaces while ensuring you do not experience excessive wear, often appearing as small black flakes under or around the chair.

Bases, Arm Brackets, and Metal Components

Cleaning: Use mild soap and warm water for plastic parts; for metal components like bases, armrest supports, casters, and adjustment levers, wipe with a slightly damp cloth, avoiding excessive water to prevent rust.
Drying: Dry metal parts immediately with a lint-free towel.
Polishing: Use specific products for plastics and nylon; for metal, apply suitable polishes for extra shine.
Inspection: Address loose fittings or any damage promptly.
Why It’s Necessary: Regular maintenance of these components ensures the chair’s structural integrity, aesthetics, and comfort. Clean and polished parts prevent wear and tear, corrosion, and rust, ensuring the chair’s durability and premium appearance.

Mechanisms and Moving Parts

Inspection: Check the tilt/recline mechanism, height adjustment, and other moving parts.
Lubrication: Apply lubricant for quiet and smooth operations. We recommend White Lithium Grease which is a thick, long-lasting lubricant that is excellent for metal-to-metal contact and heavy-duty applications. (Take note not to use products like the original formula WD40 which is primarily a solvent and rust dissolver, not a long-term lubricant for office chairs. Its use can attract dirt, leave residues, and potentially harm some chair materials.) Ensure you protect your area by laying down a plastic sheet when applying any lubricant as dripping or spillage may occur. Take care to only lubricate springs and rivets attaching the inner and outer control structure and any other parts making contact EXCEPT THE CLUTCH PLATES (series of metal plates lined up in a row). Wipe away any excess lubricant. For detailed information visit our website.
Tightening: Address any loose bolts and screws by hand with a screwdriver. Using a power drill is not advised as you will not be able to feel if a bolt is becoming cross threaded – the drill will push through and likely cause irreparable damage.
Why It’s Necessary: Maintaining moving parts ensures the chair functions properly, offering optimal comfort and flexibility. Regular attention prevents unexpected breakdowns, ensuring the chair’s reliability and longevity.

General Care

Environment: Keep the chair away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
Usage: Use the chair as intended, avoiding unsuitable practices.
Weight Limit: Adhere to the specified weight limit.
Why It’s Necessary: Proper usage and environmental care prolong the chair’s lifespan, maintaining its appearance and functionality. It also ensures safety, preventing accidents resulting from misuse or overloading.

Refreshing Upholstery

Please be aware that items will shift during transport or after prolonged use. At times the foam can become compressed or appear dented – especially if left in the boxes for extended periods. Oftentimes allowing the foam to “bounce back” after several hours is all that is needed.

However a little manipulation of the materials may be warranted. Upholstery technique is all about moving the materials into position to look their best – much like you would fluff a throw pillow after it’s been sat against – all upholstered furniture may need a little help from time to time to look its best. This is especially important after shipping.

Use your hands to smooth the foam and shift upholstery back into position. For our Upholstered Latitude Headrest, this may mean pulling or tugging on the metal brackets to have them stand straight and hold the headrest pillow evenly. When in doubt give us a call and we can walk you through the process. In any case, remember LIFEFORM® Chairs are all made by hand and none will ever exactly match any prior item manufactured.

Safety Precautions

Follow Instructions: Adhere to LIFEFORM’s guidelines and warnings as described in this Guide.
Avoid Harsh Cleaners: Prevent material damage by avoiding unsuitable cleaning agents.
Professional Help: Seek expert assistance for component repairs or replacements.
Why It’s Necessary: Following safety precautions ensures that the chair is not only clean but also safe and functional. It helps in maintaining the chair’s quality and preventing accidents.

Routine Inspection

Regular Checks: Set inspection reminders every 6-12 months so you may assess and maintain the chair’s overall condition.
Address Issues: Immediately attend to any wear and tear or mechanical problems.
Why It’s Necessary: Routine inspections help in early identification of potential issues which avoids unnecessary strain on other parts. Also allowing for timely maintenance or repairs. This proactive approach extends the chair’s lifespan, ensures safety, and offers an uninterrupted comfortable experience.

By understanding and performing these maintenance tasks, owners can enjoy a consistently comfortable, safe, and efficient experience with their LIFEFORM® chairs, while preserving the chair’s aesthetics and functionality over the years.

Additionally, general maintenance is integral to the optimal performance and longevity of your LIFEFORM® chair. It’s not just about preserving the aesthetic and functional aspects of the chair but is also a requisite for maintaining the validity of the warranty.

Manufacturers provide warranties with the expectation that users will take appropriate measures to care for the product. Regular maintenance ensures that the chair’s performance and structural integrity are upheld, reducing the risk of damage due to negligence or improper care.

Video Maintenance Guide

Yearly Maintenance and Routine Inspection Instructions

Why Maintenance Is a Requirement for Warranty Validity

Performing the outlined maintenance tasks helps in preventing issues that arise from neglect or improper use, which are not covered under warranty. Proper maintenance demonstrates responsible ownership and use, ensuring that any faults or damages that occur are genuinely due to manufacturing defects or other issues covered by the warranty.

Here are key points to remember:

Prevention of Unnecessary Damages: Regular maintenance aids in avoiding damages that result from neglect, thus ensuring that claims made under the warranty are legitimate and fair.

Proof of Care: Adhering to the maintenance guidelines serves as evidence that any arising issues are not due to neglect, making the warranty claim process smoother.

Optimal Performance: Maintenance ensures that the chair is always in optimal condition, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements, and thus minimizing warranty claims.

By investing time in regular maintenance, you not only ensure the optimal performance and longevity of your LIFEFORM® chair but also keep the warranty intact. This diligence ensures that you are covered in the event of unforeseen issues, offering peace of mind and security in your purchase.

Usage & Safety Instructions

We appreciate your purchase of LIFEFORM® Chairs, which are meticulously designed to support optimal posture and comfort for your body. However, incorrect usage of any chair, even ergonomic ones, can lead to strain on your legs and spine, potentially causing discomfort or pain. To get the most out of your ergonomic chair, it’s crucial to understand its functions and use it correctly. Neglecting to do so can minimize the chair’s effectiveness and may even cause injury. By following these safety tips, you can ensure lasting, safe comfort from your chair:

Correct Seating Position – Always ensure to sit completely in the chair, with your back firmly against the backrest (not applicable to stool style chairs). Excessive leaning to one side in a chair places uneven stress on its components, leading to premature wear or damage, not to mention potential spine misalignment and other posture related issues. Misuse of this nature can compromise the chair’s structural integrity and might void warranty protections, as chairs are designed for balanced weight distribution.

Avoid Risky Positions – Never sit on the edge of the seat, cross-legged, or with your legs propped up on a desk or other high surface. Leaning too far in any direction, causing the chair’s casters to lift off the floor due to a shift in body weight, can increase the risk of the chair tipping over. For safety, always ensure all casters are fully on the floor at all times. Failure to do so might result in damage to yourself, your chair, surrounding property, others, and potentially void your warranty.

No Standing or Arm Sitting – Refrain from standing on your chair or sitting on the arms of your chair.

Proper Usage of Armrests – The arms of the chair are not designed to support full body weight; avoid using them to lift yourself out of the chair. Likewise do not use the arm rests to lift or relocate the chair.

Safe Usage – Using the chair with more than one person at a time is dangerous. Never push down on the backrest when a person is reclined in a chair, placing all of your weight on the backrest or move the chair around with someone sitting in it. Do not place your hand or fingers near the arm swivel mechanics, control mechanism or any other moving parts. Keep children and pets away from the control mechanism, moving parts and rolling casters of the chair.

Moving Carefully – Be cautious when moving your chair between different floor surfaces. It’s safer to push the chair while standing than attempting to do so while seated.

Proper Adjustment of Controls – Utilize the chair’s tension control mechanism to accommodate different body weights. Always ensure the control is correctly adjusted for a smooth, controlled tilt motion.

Regular Maintenance – To maintain the optimal condition of your chair, it’s recommended to check all the parts every 6-12 months to ensure they are tight and in good condition.

Useful Links

Adjustment Videos

Discover the perfect fit for your body and office by visiting our Adjustments Video page. Learn how to customize your chair for optimal comfort and support. Make your workspace work for you with simple setup tips.

Care and Cleaning

Keep your LIFEFORM® Chair looking and functioning at its best with our Care and Cleaning guide. From routine maintenance to specific cleaning tips, find all the advice you need to preserve the quality of your chair. Ensure longevity and performance with our expert recommendations.