In this case the client is a swanky, high-end office flex space and co-op business in Princeton, NJ. They are designed to deliver a polished, professional experience for short- and long-term tenants.
Challenge
As tenants leased and occupied space, mesh desk chairs showed visible wear. With nearly 200 + chairs potentially affected over time, the client faced a familiar facilities dilemma. At the onset, should they replace the chairs entirely. Or, could it be determined whether professional cleaning could restore them to an acceptable standard.
Before committing to a large capital expense, the client requested a test cleaning to evaluate results and guide next steps.
Solution
We began with an initial test batch of approximately 10 chairs to confirm two things. First, could the chairs could be restored to an acceptable visual standard. And second, could the cleaning process could be executed on-site, in a most effective and efficient way possible.
To begin with we had a work area staging dilema. The work needed to be performed in an outlying area. Complicating matters, it had to be done without access to on-site electricity or a water source. Instead, the work needed to be fully supported by our truck-mounted system.
Strategically we finalized our procedures to meet our constraints. The process was refined to hands-on scrubbing followed by high- temperature, high-pressure rinsing—without foaming agents.
This approach delivered superior visual results. All work was completed outdoors in a designated parking area. And it did not interfere with the tenant, guest or employee experience. As a result, moisture, mess, and disruption were kept well away from interior spaces and active tenants.
Once cleaned, chairs were re-staged neatly in a designated conference room holding area for redeployment.
Results
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Mesh chairs were visibly restored and approved as clean and presentable
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Replacement was deemed unnecessary, delivering immediate cost savings
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Work was completed efficiently with no tenant disruption
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Client confirmed additional chair cleaning would follow as new tenants move in
Takeaway
In premium office environments, replacement isn’t always the smartest first step. Strategic test cleaning can extend asset life, protect aesthetics, and support smarter facilities decisions—without compromising the tenant experience.
