Only use mild soap and water to clean your table upholstery.

Since a massage table is one of the biggest investments you’ll make as a new therapist, it’s important to know how to care for your table so that it lasts as long as possible. Neglecting the care of your massage table can weaken the joints and cause the upholstery to crack or fade over time. Here are some tips on taking care of your massage table.

Upholstery Care

Although you might be tempted to use a strong cleaning agent to disinfect your massage table upholstery, this is one of the worst things you can do. Harsh cleaners with alcohol and oils will break down the fibers of your upholstery over time, causing scuffs and tears in the table fabric.

The best way to protect your massage table upholstery is to keep it covered so that no oils come in contact with the surface. When you clean the table, use mild soap and water. Then rinse well to remove all soapy residue.

Foam Care

Foam wear is inevitable over time, but you can slow down the process by turning the table around every few months so that the foot end becomes the head end. Certain parts of the table tend to wear faster than others because of where your clients lie on the table, but switching up how your clients are positioned by reversing the table will slow the process.

Hardware

The legs, joints, and frame are essential for the strength and stability of your massage table. Keep a close eye on the tightness of the leg adjustment knobs. If they are loose, the table could start to wobble or creak, weakening the joints in turn. If you have multiple therapists working in your treatment rooms, make sure that you or someone you work with is responsible for checking the equipment on a regular basis.

Travel

Finally, if you travel with your massage table, keep it protected. Use a heavy duty massage table bag to prevent scratches or tears in the upholstery; keep the table away from any sharp objects or sharp corners; and don’t let the table slide around in your vehicle as you drive.

Taking steps to prevent damage to your portable massage table will save you money and lengthen the lifespan of your table.

Tighten the screws and joints regularly to maintain your massage table.

Is your massage table squeaky? Does it feel less stable than it did when it was new? If so, it may be way past time for a maintenance check. Performing regular maintenance on your portable massage table will help keep it in safe working order, giving both you and your clients peace of mind.

How often should you perform maintenance on your massage table? It depends on how often you use your table. Every 1 to 3 months is generally an adequate maintenance schedule for tightening screws and checking for signs of damage. Other maintenance, such as cleaning the vinyl and tightening the height adjustment screws, should be done more often.

Check out the following guidelines for taking care of your massage table:

Massage Table Frame and Leg Maintenance

1. Periodically tighten all screws, bolts, and nuts.
2. Check and tighten all joints and leg supports.
3. Tighten the height adjustment knobs on each leg. These knobs are an important factor in the stability of your massage table, so tighten them often.
4. Inspect the cables for frays, sliced wires, or other signs of weakness.
5. Inspect the wooden frame, base, and legs for cracks, warping, or other signs of damage.

Massage Table Vinyl Maintenance

Clean your massage table, face cradle, and other vinyl table accessories regularly with mild soap and water or a mild, non-abrasive cleaner. Do not use alcohol-based cleaners to clean a vinyl massage table cover. This could result in damage to the vinyl.

Be careful when using sharp objects, such as acupuncture needles, around your massage table. Torn or damaged vinyl is difficult to repair, so protect your massage table as much as possible.

Face Cradle Maintenance

Adjust the cam lever on your face cradle for the correct locking pressure.

If you have an adjustable face cradle, it’s important to make sure that the locking cam lever is adjusted correctly. Inside the cam lock are gears that interlock and hold the face cradle in position. If these gears are not completely interlocked, the face cradle could snap out of position.

You’ll know when the cam lever is adjusted correctly when the pressure needed to push the lever down is about equal to the pressure needed to push down a stapler. If the cam lock is too loose, then the face cradle will not stay in place. If the cam lock is too tight, then you could break the lever. Never use force to push down the lever, as this could break the cam mechanism.

If the cam lock is too loose, turn the lever clockwise several times before pushing the lever down again to test the pressure. Repeat until the lever engages with firm (but not forceful) pressure.

If the cam lock is too tight, turn the lever counterclockwise several times before testing the lever again. Repeat until the lever engages with firm (but not forceful) pressure.

Other Maintenance Tips

Keep the Velcro hook and loop sections together during storage to prevent lint, hair, strings, and other materials from clogging up the Velcro.

Finally, ALWAYS protect your massage table with a carrying case during storage and transportation. It only takes a few minutes and can save a lot of potential headaches in the long run.

With the right care, your massage table vinyl will serve you well for years to come.

Polyurethane vinyl is durable and easy to clean, making it a standard feature for most massage tables on the market today. A quality vinyl massage table cover will last for years, if treated with the proper care.

Even if you keep your massage table cover well protected, you still need to clean your vinyl cover to keep it looking sharp. For the best care, clean your vinyl after any contact with perspiration, body oils, massage oil, or other fluids or products that can dry out your table cover. Repeated exposure to oil or perspiration can harden the vinyl and cause it to crack.

Clean your massage table regularly
to protect the vinyl.

Use a mild detergent with warm water to wipe down your table. Then wipe it down with plain water to remove any residue. Dry the vinyl thoroughly with a soft towel. The vinyl on your headrest, bolster pillows, armrest, and side arm extenders can be cleaned in the same way as your massage table vinyl. Always protect your massage table and accessories with sheets, towels, or covers to prolong the life of the vinyl.

If your table is stained, you can dilute a stronger cleaning product, such as 409, to try to remove the stains. Dilute four parts water with one part 409, rinse the vinyl with plain water, and dry thoroughly. Avoid the use of harsh cleaning agents that could degrade the vinyl. Never use cleaning agents with bleach, as these types of products could easily fade the brilliant color of your vinyl.

Keep your massage table out of direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can dry out the vinyl over time and cause it to crack. It can also fade the color of the vinyl. If you store your massage table in your vehicle, keep it covered to prevent sun damage.

Damage to your vinyl generally happens gradually over time. Most likely you won’t notice the difference until the damage has already begun. Don’t assume that just because you can’t see any damage, your vinyl is just fine. Prevent damage before it’s too late. If you take good care of your vinyl, it will serve you well for years to come.