Office Chair Cushion Replacement

Office chair cushion replacement may be carried out due to discomfort caused by the collapse of the old cushion. There are two main replacement methods: purchasing and replacing it yourself or going to an experience store for replacement and repair. The replacement process involves certain steps, and the new cushions and alternative cushions each have their own characteristics.

Reasons for Replacement

After using the old cushion for a period of time, it may collapse, affecting comfort. For example, the cushion of the Sihoo M18 starts to collapse after one or two years of use, and it has been painful to sit on this year.

Replacement Methods

• Purchase and Replace by Yourself: You can buy a suitable cushion from the official store for replacement. For example, the customer service of the Sihoo M18 offers cushions at 60 yuan each and provides a "one-yuan postage supplement" link for customers to purchase as needed.
• Replacement and Repair at an Experience Store: There is a treasure trove of ergonomic chair experience stores on the East Third Ring Road in Beijing that offer cushion replacement and repair services.

Replacement Process

• Unboxing and Assembly: The new cushion generally comes with a complete set of screws (including backrest and armrest screws) and a standard T-shaped hex wrench (previously, a regular L-shaped hex wrench was included, which made installation more difficult). There is one extra screw and washer than actually needed.
• Specific Steps: First, remove the old cushion and disassemble the armrests (note that the screws may have all rusted if they are five years old; the T-shaped wrench works well). After removal, clean the dusty corners before installing the new cushion. Then, connect the armrests to the new cushion, lay the chair down again, install the four screws of the cushion, and then start replacing the three large screws of the backrest (the screw head diameter of the old version of the large screws is larger, while the new version has unified the screw head diameters of all screws, so only one standard hex wrench is needed).

Characteristics of New Cushions

• Sihoo M18 New Cushion: It feels "hard" when sitting on it, with brand-new sponge that is very firm; there is a difference in the cushion fabric. The old version is designed to be more breathable (and also easier to hide debris), while the new version is basically flat.
• BKT Lumbar Support Cushion: It looks simple at first glance, but its shape is ingenious. It features an curved design that imitates the curve of the human waist and back, fitting perfectly into the gaps between the spine, waist, and hips. When sitting on it, the pelvis no longer tilts backward, and the support on the sides of the waist partially surrounds the person, making them sit up straight involuntarily.

Other Types of Alternative Cushions

• Memory Foam Cushion: It has a certain degree of support and is relatively soft, providing decent comfort. However, it can get hot if sitting on it for a long time in summer.
• Latex Cushion: It is relatively bouncy and very soft. Those who like softness can choose it, but its breathability is poor, so it is not recommended for use in summer.
• Air Fiber Cushion: It has a moderate hardness and good elasticity, and is not prone to collapse. It is very breathable, but its appearance looks a bit cheap.