Cleaning/Disinfecting Church Furniture

Sauder® Manufacturing Co. (SMC) is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to provide an update to address concerns we’ve received. Sauder Worship Seating would like to provide you recommended cleaning procedures. The following are recommendations for cleaning pews, chairs, and auditorium seating.

While there is much to learn about the spread of COVID-19, we continue to align our recommendations with the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Based on what we currently know regarding COVID-19, the transmission of coronavirus is much more common through respiratory droplets than through fomites (Clothing, Utensils, and Furniture). For more information, please refer to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html and your State Department of Health.


Sauder Manufacturing recommends contacting a professional for proper cleaning and disinfecting.

The CDC recommends the cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces. Followed by disinfection as best practice for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.

Hand using rag to clean pews.

Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs. It removes them, therefore it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading them.

Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Historically, we do not recommend disinfecting furniture; however, to adhere to CDC guidelines due to COVID-19, we recommend the following.

Recommendations for Cleaning/Disinfecting Pews and Auditorium Products:

Wood Pews/Benches

  • Cleaning: damp cloth with soap mixture, let dry for 5 minutes.
  • Disinfecting: Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes EPA Reg. No. 5813-79.
  • WARNING: Using Alcohol based hand sanitizer will have an adverse effect on SMC Pew Furnishings. When using hand sanitizer, please allow sanitizer to fully dry on your hands before touching the pew with your hands – this will limit the exposure of the sanitizer on the pew finish.

Upholstered Pews/Benches

  • Use recommended procedure above for Wood Pews/Benches for Wood Components.
  • For Cleaning/Disinfecting fabric: Please contact Warranty Coordinator, Brian Short, 419-446-4242 or BShort@saudermfg.com for more information.
  • WARNING: Using Alcohol based hand sanitizer will have an adverse effect on SMC Pew Furnishings. When using hand sanitizer, please allow sanitizer to fully dry on your hands before touching the pew with your hands – this will limit the exposure of the sanitizer on the pew finish.

Auditorium Products

  • Use recommended procedure for Wood Pews/Benches for Plastic, Metal and Wood Components.
  • For Cleaning/Disinfecting fabric: Please contact Warranty Coordinator, Brian Short, 419-446-4242 or BShort@saudermfg.com for more information.

Fabric

Many of our fabric vendors have information available on their website or by calling direct.
Absecon Mills: 800.255.7738 | Disinfecting Fabric Recommendations
CF Stinson: 800.841.6279 | Visit Website, Choose Individual Fabric and then “Care Guide” Tab
Culp Contract: 336.889.5161 | Visit Website, Choose Individual Fabric and then “Care” Tab
Guilford of Maine (Duvaltex): 800.230.4313 | Covid-19: Suggested Products for Disinfection for Duvaltex Fabric (March 26, 2020)
Momentum Textiles: 800.366.6839 | Visit Website, Choose Individual Fabric and then “Cleaning Guide” Tab
Tahoe LLC: 704.476.0120 | Fabric Cleaning Instructions

Our team is here to help with questions. Let us know how we can assist.