Massage chairs are awesome, right? Whether you’re kicking back after a long day or trying to ease those flu body aches, a good massage chair session can feel like magic. But here’s something most people don’t think about—can massage chairs spread germs if they’re not cleaned regularly?
Short answer: yep, they totally can.
Now let's find out how it happens, why it matters (especially when you're sick) and what you can do to keep your massage chair for home use safe and clean.
We all know germs hang out on stuff—door handles, phones, keyboards. Well, your reclining massage chair is no different. Every time someone sits down, they leave behind little traces of sweat, skin, oils, and yes... germs. If someone’s fighting off a cold or the flu, the chair could easily become a cozy little spot for bacteria and viruses to chill out on.
This is especially true in public or shared spaces like clinics, gyms or salons. But even at home, if one person is sick, others can still catch whatever they’ve got if that chair isn’t wiped down properly.
Massage chairs aren’t just one smooth surface. They’ve got armrests, footrests, back pads, headrests and remotes. All these parts get touched—A LOT.
Some of the germiest spots include:
The headrest (think about sneezing or coughing here)
Armrests (hands go here... and hands touch everything)
Remote controls (big one—people press buttons with germy fingers)
The footrest, especially in open-toe socks or bare feet
If these spots aren’t cleaned often, it’s pretty easy for a virus like the flu to spread from one person to another.
Let’s say you’re already sick and thinking, “Maybe the massage chair for flu symptoms will help me feel better.”
You’re not wrong. A gentle massage can help with sore muscles and might help you relax. But if your chair isn’t cleaned properly—especially after someone else who's sick has used it—you’re basically hopping into a germ spa.
The risk gets higher if you share your Real Relax massage chair with family or housemates. One person gets the flu, uses the chair and now everyone’s got it. Not ideal.
Ah, the recliner with heat and massage feature. So cozy. And while heat can feel soothing when you’re sick, it doesn’t kill germs on the surface. Heat therapy is internal—good for easing tension, not sterilizing your chair.
Some people think that the warmth from a massage chair session might "burn off" germs, but unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Germs don’t just vanish in a warm spot—they can actually survive just fine in cozy environments.
Real Relax PS5100 4D Massage Chair, the recliner with heat and massage
If they’re not cleaned regularly, yes—massage chairs spread germs. Not in a horror-movie way or anything, but enough to cause issues, especially during cold and flu season.
Germs like the flu virus or even COVID can live on surfaces for hours—sometimes even days. You don’t have to be sneezing all over the chair for it to happen, either. Just touching your nose or mouth and then adjusting the headrest or grabbing the remote is enough to leave behind something unwanted.
The good news? It’s super easy to prevent all of this. Here’s how to keep your massage chairs for home clean and safe:
Use disinfectant wipes (or a gentle cleaner safe for leather/fabric) to wipe the chair down after each use. Focus on the headrest, armrests, and remote control.
Add a washable towel or cover to the head and back areas—especially if you’re using the chair while sick. Just toss it in the wash when you're done.
Wash your hands before and after using the chair. That goes double during flu season.
If you’re using the massage chair for flu relief, try to keep it to yourself until you're feeling better. A little isolation can save everyone else a lot of grief.
That remote gets touched a lot—more than you probably realize. Wipe it down, especially if multiple people are using the chair.
Not necessarily. If it’s your personal Real Relax massage chair and you’re the only one using it, go for it—just keep it clean. It might even help you feel better by relaxing tight muscles and helping you rest more comfortably.
But in public places or shared homes? Be cautious. A massage chair session that’s meant to soothe might do more harm than good if you pick up extra germs along the way.
Massage chairs are amazing tools for relaxation, stress relief and even easing symptoms when you’re sick. But just like anything else that gets touched and used often, they can become germy if no one’s keeping them clean.
Whether you’re using a high-end recliner with heat and massage, or a cozy reclining massage chair at home, a little bit of cleaning goes a long way. So go ahead—enjoy that massage chair session. Just don’t forget to give it a quick wipe afterward. Your immune system will thank you.
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