7 Super Easy and Effective Upholstery Cleaning Tips

Jul 8

So, you've invested in the most beautiful looking upholstery furniture, and it has changed the look of your house completely. Now, you need to understand that if you want your furniture to looking beautiful always, you need to clean it regularly.

Also, you have to understand that if you clean it the wrong way then you may do more harm than good. So, upholstery cleaning is important, and equally important is cleaning it the right way. And to make things easier for you we shall now share some upholstery cleaning tips that you can start following right away.

1. Vacuum Frequently

The most important thing to do is to vacuum each of your upholstered furniture on a regular basis. Dirt makes your furniture look old and dull and can even wear away the fibers.

You can use a stiff-bristled brush or the dry upholstery attachment to loosen all debris and dirt. For the crannies and nooks that are difficult to reach you can use a crevice tool.

2. Clean With Baby Wipes

Baby wipes are good not just for your baby but your upholstery furniture as well. But before you use them to clean your furniture, test them on an inconspicuous part to ensure that they will not harm your fabric.

These wipes are mostly suitable for all types of polyester, leather, and cotton upholstery as they contain very little moisture. Make sure you always have a pack ready in your room so that you can take them out and use them for spot removal whenever there is a spill.

3. Follow the Codes

To figure out what is the best way to clean your piece it will be wise to check the manufacturer’s instructions for your furniture. If you find a “W” it means you can use water. You can remove your cushion covers and wash them following the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you notice an “S” on your upholstered furniture then you are supposed to avoid using water and instead use some non-water-based solvent. Spray the solution lightly on your furniture and blot it using a sponge or white cloth.

In case your furniture has an “S/W” it means you can use water or solvents. And, if you find an “X” then you can only vacuum clean.

4. Protect Your Furniture

Many furniture is pre-treated using a fabric protector and this helps prevent stains. If your furniture is also treated then you must find out for how long will it last. Usually, furniture has to be re-treated once every few years to maintain its ability to fight stains.

However, if your furniture is not pre-treated then you have to apply it yourself. Better still, you can hire a professional to do the task perfectly for you. Always remember, if your furniture is treated the right way and regularly, it will last you longer.

5. Clean Gently

No matter how tough the stains never scrub your upholstered furniture. Scrubbing will only harm your fabric and may even push the stains further deep into the fibers.

You have to be patient and allow the stain remover to sink in well and set. Then you can blot it away gently. Also, you need to be careful while blotting. Use a microfiber, soft cloth, and not any bristled brush or rough fabric.

After you have cleaned the upholstery and it has dried, if you find the fibers are stiff, then you can loosen the material with the help of a soft brush.

6. Be Careful While Using Water

Many people think more the water that they use the better will be the results. This, however, is not true, not in most cases at least. It will rather be better if you use a water-free solvent that has specifically been created to remove spots. If you still want to use water, then use as little of it as you can.

7. Eliminate Pet Hair

If your furry baby enjoys accompanying you on the couch then most likely you will find their hair here, there, everywhere. To get rid of the hair you can wear a pair of rubber gloves and simply run them over the upholstered furniture. The static that the gloves will create will pull your pet’s hair to the edge of your furniture. And from there you can vacuum it off easily.

Alternatively, you may make your own static spray by combining water and a little fabric softener. Also, you may use furniture brushes or even hand vacuums that are created to help remove pet hair.

Do Not Forget the Throw Pillows and Blankets

Remember, your throw pillows and blankets need attention as well. If you will be using the washing machine then the gentle cycle (cold) will be most ideal. If you can remove the pillow covers then wash them inside out.

Make sure you dry your pillows really well, else, any dampness present inside can support mold growth.

Some DIY Spot Removers

You must give attention to a spot immediately if you really want to remove it. If you treat it right away then perhaps just blotting it using a microfiber cloth may be enough. There are many other tricks too that you can follow to get rid of stains, including –

General stain removal – Dab on a little club soda gently on the spot using a white, clean cloth. You may even apply a little vinegar, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then blot using clear water.
Oil stains or grease – Sprinkle a little salt, allow it to stay for a while, and then dab the area using water and soap. Instead of salt you may even use rubbing alcohol.
Red wine stains – Sprinkle a little salt and then blot using lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide. Next, clean it by blotting it with water.
Coffee stains – Blot in a combination of equal parts of vinegar and water with a little amount of dish detergent.

Following these upholstery cleaning tips will certainly offer you satisfactory results. But never wait for any spots to occur. Make sure you clean your upholstery on a regular basis, and your furniture will then always looks beautiful and last you for a very long time.